Insurance for safety consultants

There are two primary types of insurance that we recommend to small businesses that specialize in safety consulting. The first of these is professional liability insurance. Professional liability insurance, sometimes called errors and omissions insurance (E&O insurance), is coverage for claims against businesses that provide professional and personal services — for safety consulting businesses such as yours. 

In today’s litigious world, there is a variety of situations that can place you at the mercy of the court system, even if you’ve done nothing wrong. Whether you’re giving advice about worker safety at a job site, training employees on safety protocols, or inspecting a workplace for potential violations, safety consultants insurance can help you keep your business protected and profitable. 

When is it important to have professional liability insurance as a safety professional? Here are a few real-world examples that may resonate with you as a safety consultant.

• Negligence: You are hired by a business to perform an OSHA compliance audit. The business fails to fully implement all of your recommendations and later faces severe fines from the government. The client sues you and even though you are not at fault, you incur substantial costs to defend yourself. A professional liability insurance policy may cover these costs, up to policy limits.

As a safety consultant, you understand the value of planning ahead. Let us help you plan ahead in your career with the insurance that safety consultants need.

• Missed deadline: You are hired as a building inspector to complete an accelerated inspection of a new office complex so that the complex can open on schedule. Shortly after accepting the project, two of your employees quit, leaving you without the resources to complete the job on time. The opening of the complex is delayed and the client sues you for revenue loss. 

Professional liability insurance may protect you against claims of negligence, and we will appoint an attorney if needed, even if you haven’t made a mistake.

You can feel more confident with each new project you take on with Hiscox by your side. We’re here for you from start to finish. 

To learn more about professional liability insurance, please browse our website or contact us to ask specific questions about how insurance can be an asset for your safety consulting business. 

The second type of insurance that safety consultants often need to keep their small businesses moving forward is general liability insurance. General liability insurance, sometimes called commercial general liability (CGL), protects your business from another person or business’ claims of bodily injury, associated medical costs, and damage to property. This is an important type of insurance to have if you travel as a normal course of business, if you frequently host client meetings, or if you deal with challenging clients. 

Having general liability coverage is beneficial in many instances, especially as your business grows and your clientele expands. Here are a few scenarios in which liability insurance for safety consultants is useful. 

• Bodily injury: A potential client visits your office to discuss a project that requires your safety consulting expertise. As he leaves, he slips on the steps and sprains his ankle. A general liability insurance policy could cover his medical costs and lost wages, up to the limit of liability.

Due to the rising cost of medical care, bodily injury claims can take a serious toll on a small business. But instead of fearing for the worst, prepare yourself for success. Hiscox can help.

• Property damage: While you’re in a client’s office conducting a safety inspection, you knock over and break an expensive antique vase. We may cover the cost to replace the vase, up to the limits of your liability.

We understand how seemingly minor incidents can turn into big problems, and we’re here to help reduce your financial risks.

• Personal injury: A client for whom you have provided safety recommendations accuses you of spreading a rumor about the effectiveness of their senior management. A general liability insurance policy could cover your defense costs, as well as any settlement or judgment, up to your liability limits.

Whether allegations like this are true or not, a Hiscox safety consultant insurance policy can help your business stay afloat and prosper despite third-party personal injury claims, such as slander and libel. 

Learn more about general liability insurance costs.