Liability insurance and how glad you have been to have some

As there has often been reference for the need of liability insurance, particularly directed at persons starting of in the trade. I wondered if there are any members who would like to share their stories of being unlucky enough to have had a claim against them, justly or unjustly or perhaps stories of the incidents that nearly happened (close shaves etc.)For my part I can not contribute much, apart from what sometimes sounded like a stone striking glass and a frantic look around expecting to see the largest pain ever made to have been shattered by little old me.The one real fear that I have though is cutting through an electric cable that some kind sole has trailed through a hedge to supply power to the fish pond or garden shed. So far I have managed to spot the orange cables but I guess some day I will miss the cable that someone has pain painstakingly spray painted camouflage green so that it can not be seen whilst sitting on the patio sipping wine. The best of it is, I bet if I was unlucky enough to cut through a hidden cable and survive electrocution I would be expected to carry out the rectification at my cost.Does that sound a bit cynical or what?

Like you, so far so good. But with regards the electricity cable, we make it absolutely clear that it is the owners responsibility to ensure that all known services are known or we carry out a survey at a seperate cost to ensure this aspect. No one has ever queried this and as such we have found this info to be of benefit to clients, well after any works we do. In the South west it is possible to sign up to SWWIM, (a fantastic freebie from SWW and thats a rare statement). Also always hire in a cat scanner or invest in metal detector. The problem comes not from the insurance angle, but from the Quangos. Beware of the Environment Agency - if you sever a sewage pipe the fines are hefty.
Also if the electric cable has not been laid in properly - you insurance company will not entertain the claim and as such the matter goes into grey legal territory as the owner is obliged to have followed regulations.

The life of a landscaper just gets more and more interesting.

Replies

Sustainable Land Management April 12, 2009 at 12:19pm

Like you, so far so good. But with regards the electricity cable, we make it absolutely clear that it is the owners responsibility to ensure that all known services are known or we carry out a survey at a seperate cost to ensure this aspect. No one has ever queried this and as such we have found this info to be of benefit to clients, well after any works we do. In the South west it is possible to sign up to SWWIM, (a fantastic freebie from SWW and thats a rare statement). Also always hire in a cat scanner or invest in metal detector. The problem comes not from the insurance angle, but from the Quangos. Beware of the Environment Agency - if you sever a sewage pipe the fines are hefty.
Also if the electric cable has not been laid in properly - you insurance company will not entertain the claim and as such the matter goes into grey legal territory as the owner is obliged to have followed regulations.

The life of a landscaper just gets more and more interesting.
Kerrie John-The garden design Co April 12, 2009 at 4:33pm

I also have Professional Indemnity insurance.
Graeme @ BGS April 12, 2009 at 4:46pm

Only claimed the once and I am sure we got ripped off. Guys broke two very large patio windows - We had to pay the 1st £250 as excess on the policy and then the insurance company for the householder tried to claim for goodness knows what!

Since then if we break any windows stimming it is cheaper to use a local glazing company. Thankfully no broken windows for 1.5 years.
Graeme @ BGS April 13, 2009 at 8:47am

I don't think public liability is a legal requirement more a moral one. However most if not all commercial work the companies will or should ask for proof.

Due to the current financial climate we will see more and more one man and their van (or estate car) starting up without insurance and some established companies not renewing in order to cut costs.

Having proof of insurance is a good selling point as it gives peace of mind to the potential client.
The Perfumed Garden April 13, 2009 at 9:05am

We've had two 'cable instances'.

An ex employee cut through a customers broadband wire with a pair of secateurs cutting back some ivy. The cable was entwined in it and not visible. We payed a man £50 to fix it within a couple of hours and the employee was called 'Brian the Broadband Butcher' thereafter. It wasn't worth claiming on the insurance but the jobs profit had gone.

I hit the main armoured cable which ran down a telegraph pole from the mains transformer, with a long handled hedge cutter. There was a big 'pop' and a flash but I didn't get a shock. Luckily we were working at an isoltaed property so only the customer was affected not a whole street. It took many phone calls to get the elecy boys to come and fix it which they did by the end of the day.

Our insurance company paid out for the £1200 for the repair. I wonder what would happen to a non insured company. I won't try to be clever next time and use loppers.
Classic Gardens April 13, 2009 at 10:39am

Ivy is the biggest problem for me wires are really hidden
Classic Gardens April 13, 2009 at 9:04pm

just renewed mine

insured for One million. work to 10m high with one employee £149 which i think is cheap

Stu said:
I went out and got liability insurance and I am also covered under the Angling Trust if I do work for a local club as they are members of the AT. I've only a basic cover which covers my work at the moment but interesting it does not cover me for work around rivers and lakes which is where the AT insurance steps in.
Graeme @ BGS April 13, 2009 at 9:21pm

martin said:
just renewed mine

insured for One million. work to 10m high with one employee £149 which i think is cheap

That is cheap Martin - what company is that with?
Classic Gardens April 15, 2009 at 6:32pm

Its with gladiator which is part of the admril group. and they found me the insurance which is through a company called Fortis. 0844 848 4304.

There quote was beaten aswell by a company called simpley business . co.uk and they found a company called Glenham. But as the call center staff at gladiator are very helpfull i thought for the sake of £10 i would would stick with Gladiator.
Big Dig Groundworks April 15, 2009 at 11:22pm

I didnt realise Gladiator dealt with liabilty insurance aswell.

I have my van insured throught them and they had the best price for that and as you say Martin their staff at the call centre do seem to be very helpful.