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The Savvy Scot

Personal finance and lifestyle blog

Can you trust a sole trader without professional indemnity insurance?

By savvyscot

A sole trader, also known as a sole proprietor, is a reference to the self-employed owner of a business. They are personally responsible for all profits, losses and the day-to-day running of the business, including all forms of paperwork such as insurance.

One form of insurance that sole-traders should purchase is indemnity insurance. This is the sole trader’s financial protection against any hefty claims from a client that would otherwise need to be compensated by the business – whether they were directly responsible or not. The insurance covers the cost of defending claims and potential damages payable for liabilities incurred from negligent advice, or services given by a business causing financial loss which the client needs compensating for. Different forms of indemnity include cash payments, repairs, replacement, and reinstatement.

If a sole trader is not covered by indemnity insurance, they put their own business at risk in addition to leaving their clients to deal with any losses incurred themselves. Any potentially small mistake can result in a claim against damages or financial loss against the business; it is not uncommon for this to result in bankruptcy of the business, and can also leave the client without what could be much needed compensation.

A client must also be wary of trading with a sole proprietor who does not have indemnity insurance. Should any mistakes or losses occur whereby the business is held liable, they may not be in a position to pay the compensation which is owed. As a client, you would be left to pick up the bill which is indeed unfair but more importantly could prove very costly.

If you are a sole trader, by purchasing a policy, you will be giving clients the assurance that, in the case of anything going wrong, they will not be left at a financial loss in any way. And with professional indemnity insurance being so affordable, it is unwise to jeopardise the business and tarnish your reputation.

Filed Under: Guest Posts Tagged With: Insurance explained, PI Insurance, Professional Indemnity, Professional Indemnity Insurance, Professional Indemnity Insurance explained

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Lovely comments

  1. Holly@ClubThrifty says

    October 10, 2012 at 1:18 pm

    That oil rig picture is insane. I wonder how that happened and I would hate to be the one to pay out the insurance claim!
    Holly@ClubThrifty recently posted..Making a Lot of Money: The Opportunity to Not Be BrokeMy Profile

    • savvyscot says

      October 10, 2012 at 6:29 pm

      It is actually mental! One hell of a mistake too… hopefully it didn’t break the oil well below…

  2. Kim@Eyesonthedollar says

    October 10, 2012 at 5:53 pm

    An necessary expense for any business owner for sure!
    Kim@Eyesonthedollar recently posted..Fun, Fabulous, Free Things To Do in My Favorite Vacation CitiesMy Profile

    • savvyscot says

      October 10, 2012 at 6:28 pm

      I am sure you will know all about that Kim!

  3. Thad says

    December 18, 2012 at 12:58 pm

    There’s risk associated with trading even with the “big guys”, but for a sole trader indemnity insurance would seem to me to be an absolute must.
    Thad recently posted..5 Tips To Save Money By Using Shopping SitesMy Profile

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