|
The importance of having insurance protection Every business has associated risks, and whilst risk management procedures and control are paramount, insurance protection should be maintained in the unthinkable occurs. If, in business, we could control all outcomes, we would not need insurance – but as no has the ability to predict what’s round the corner. Knowing and understanding what risks are associated to your business and others, it not only realistic, but smart. For example, A third party, being a customer, supplier, competitor, regulatory authorities such as ACCC, ASIC, EPA, Industry bodies and others can make a claim against you, if they have allegedly suffered a loss due to negligence (or alleged negligence) of your Professional Services. Claims can arise from various allegations including: - Breach of your duty of care - Negligence / Common Law Matter - Civil Liabilities - Conflicts of Interest - Breach of Confidentiality - Trade Practices Act 1974 (Misleading and Deceptive Conduct) the Fair Trading Act 1987 (NSW), the Fair Trading Act 1985 (Victoria) or similar legislation enacted by the other States or Territories of the Commonwealth of Australia Commonly Asked Questions Who is a Professional adviser? Is anyone who gives to another person advice and/or services of a skilful character according to an established discipline might be regarded as a 'Professional'. That means persons other than those in 'traditional' Professions, such as doctors and lawyers, are now considered to be Professionals i.e. Computer consultants, advertising agents, acoustics consultants, trade associations and fund managers. Why do Professionals need Professional Indemnity Insurance? A Professional will hold himself or herself out as having a special skill, which can be relied upon by another. Consequently the law requires that the Professional exercise the required skill to an appropriate level expected by that profession. Professionals are only human and mistakes do happen. Any financial loss, injury or damage arising from a mistake or failure by the Professional to exercise the required level of skill may mean that an award is made in favour of a person who suffers a loss, damage or injury. A Professional may also be held to be liable for a mistake even though there was no negligence. What is a Claims Made Contract? Professional Indemnity Insurance is offered on a "Claims Made" basis of cover, which means that it only covers Claims made or Known Circumstances that you become aware could reasonably be expected to give rise to a claim that are notified to the insurer with in the current policy period. Claims Made Policy Professional Indemnity policies are “Claims Made” policies, that is they only cover Claims made or Known Circumstances that you become aware could reasonably be expected to give rise to a claim that arise during the period of insurance. Acts or omissions may have occurred in a prior period and, as long as the act or omission, was after the retro-active date, the policy will extend to those prior acts. It is essential to maintain continuity of IT Professional Indemnity insurance cover (no gaps in the period of cover) as Claims made against you or Circumstances of which you become aware could give rise to a claim, will not be covered if they are not disclosed within the period of insurance where they first arise. If there is any claim or potential claim or even a circumstance that could reasonably be expected to give rise to a claim, it should be reported to your insurer immediately it is known, regardless of your own view as to fault. If you know of a claim or circumstance and it is not reported within the insurance period in which it arises your insurance policy is unlikely to respond. ‘Known Circumstances’ A 'known circumstance' could be defined as any fact, situation or circumstance, which a reasonable person in the insured’s professional position would have thought, might result in someone making a claim against him/her. Therefore if a claim arises after the inception date of the policy from a fact, situation or circumstance that the insured knew or should have known, at the time of the commencement of the policy that might give rise to a claim, it would normally be excluded as it arose from a ‘known circumstance’. The Importance of Notifying All Known Circumstances By notifying all circumstances that might give rise to a claim, during a policy period, an insured can get the benefit of their statutory rights under Section 40(3) of the Insurance Contracts Act 1984 (the Act). Section 40(3) provides an insured with statutory rights to notify a circumstance or insured, to an insurer, during the currency of the policy. If a claim eventuates against an insured from the notified circumstances, then the insurer cannot deny indemnity, despite the fact that the claim arose outside the period of insurance. Therefore, any fact, situation or circumstance, which a reasonable person in the insured's professional position would have thought might result in someone making a claim against them, should be notified to their current insurer. Changing From One Insurer to Another (Notification Of Known Circumstances) If you change insurers, you will need to notify your insurer of every conceivable circumstance before the expiry date of your policy. If this is not done, and if a claim was to occur in the future from a circumstance not previously notified, you may be left uninsured, with neither the previous or the current insurer accepting liability for the claim. The prior insurer may deny the claim as the insured failed to notify the circumstance or claim during the period of insurance. Amanda Smith is an award winning insurance specialist with over 14 years’ experience. As the senior principal of Optimum Insurance Services, she provides qualified and tailored insurance broking services to business and corporate markets.
Related Articles -
Insurance Premium Finance, Monthly payment option, commercial, personal insurance premiums, monthly installments, cash flow, working capital, fixed in,
| 
