Professional Indemnity Insurance
If your work involves giving advice, offering a service or handling client data, then professional indemnity insurance (PI cover) isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a business essential. We provide flexible liability cover for professionals, designed to suit your industry, your risk level and your way of working.
Whether you’re an accountant, estate agent, architect or surveyor, consultant, IT developer or a building contractor offering design and construction work, mistakes can happen. And when they do, the costs can be financially serious. Our consultant indemnity insurance helps protect your business when the unexpected happens.
What Does PI Cover Include?
Our PI policies typically include:
- Claims for professional negligence – when advice, designs or decisions lead to client losses
- Errors and omissions – covering mistakes or oversights in your work (will not cover faulty workmanship)
- Breach of confidentiality – if sensitive information is shared or accessed without consent
- Defamation, libel or slander – if your words or work damage someone's reputation
- Intellectual property infringement – accidental use of copyrighted material, branding or content
- Legal defence costs – helping with legal fees, court costs and settlement agreements
Who Needs Professional Indemnity Insurance?
You should consider PI cover if you:
- Offer consultancy, coaching or professional advice
- Design solutions or provide intellectual or creative services
- Design and Construct
- Work with sensitive client data or confidential information
- Could be held liable for errors, oversights or miscommunication
- Are required to have cover as part of a contract or professional body
We regularly arrange PI cover for:
- Consultants, coaches and mentors
- IT professionals and software developers
- Contractors and tradesmen involved in design and construct projects
- Freelancers, marketing & PR and graphic designers
- Architects, surveyors, engineers and other technical professionals
- Accountants and financial advisers
- Recruitment agencies and HR consultants
- Data analysts and digital specialists
Why Choose Chubb Thomas?
- Truly independent insurance broker based in Bournemouth, with no corporate ties
- Insurance quotes tailored to your needs, across Dorset and surrounding areas
- Speak directly to your dedicated contact—no call centres, no waiting
- Work with your key person from start to finish
- Insurance quotes tailored to your needs, across Dorset and surrounding areas
- Fair fees and transparent advice every step of the way
- Independent and unbiased—we’re not tied to any insurer, so you always come first
- A reputation for excellence, delivering insurance services locally since the early 1980s.
FAQs
What's the difference between PI cover and public liability insurance?
PI covers the financial consequences of professional advice or services that go wrong, while public liability covers injury or damage caused to third parties or their property.
Do I need PI cover if I'm a sole trader or freelancer?
Yes. Even as a one-person business, you can be held liable for mistakes, breach of confidentiality or professional duty and intellectual property issues.
How much professional indemnity cover do I need?
While that depends on your industry, the size of your contracts and any client or regulatory requirements.
Is professional indemnity insurance required by law?
No, but it’s often required by contracts or professional associations and it’s strongly advised for anyone offering services, designs or advice.
What is a Claims Made Basis and how does this affect me?
A ‘claims made’ policy means that your professional indemnity insurance will only cover claims that are:
- First made against you during the period of insurance, and
- Relate to work carried out on or after your retroactive date (a Retroactive date is the date you first start PI cover, so long as there is no gap).
This differs from other types of insurance (such as property or liability), which are often on an ‘occurrence basis’, covering incidents that happen during the policy period regardless of when a claim is made.
Does PI insurance cover me for past work?
Yes, but only if the work commenced after your retroactive date. Insurers can consider providing cover prior to the retroactive date if specifically requested and agreed. This is not automatic. Let us know if you need protection for previous projects.
What if a claim is made after I stop trading?
There is no cover in force unless you purchase run-off cover, which keeps you insured for claims made after you retire, change career or close the business. Ordinarily run-off cover is purchased for up to 6 years.
Does professional indemnity insurance cover subcontractors?
Not automatically. You may need to ensure subcontractors have their own PI cover or extend your policy to include them.
How quickly can I get cover in place?
We can often arrange cover within a few days and usually requires a proposal form to be completed. Get in touch with your business details and we’ll get the ball rolling.
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Other Insurance Options
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Trusted Dorset Insurance Broker
We’re a truly independent Dorset broker offering real advice, not scripts. offering tailored insurance quotes across Bournemouth, Poole, Weymouth, Dorchester and beyond. Whether you need personal, property or business cover, we deliver clear advice and a personal service every step of the way.
Contact Us
Let’s make your insurance work harder for your business. Drop us a message, give us a ring, or pop into our Bournemouth office—we’re always happy to chat.
Phone: 01202 778 000
Email: email@chubbthomas.co.uk