PII is almost exclusively offered on a basis of the cover is for the claims period, not the did-the-work period.
So, as a contractor I have been faced with demands to provide 10 years cover for a 6 month job. Prospective clients usually stopped being prospective when asked for £10000 to cover 10 years That would be at £1000 for year 1,and at least £500+ whatever increase was demanded for each following year The increase usually being 30% for year 2, and then an extra 10% compounded for each following year. I usually suggested that the clients would get a far better rate than I could, and their own insurer would probably cover them for a very small additional amount That cover would probably be while they were in business, while any I took out would almost certainly end if the supplying company ceased trading, or I became bankrupt. Using their own insurer while I did not provide cover would also mean they would be in control of any claim, while a claim against me would involve both insurers trying to offset costs to the other as there could well be multiple cover for a happening. I am currently working to try to get compensation where a service suppliers insurer terminated their PII as soon as there were a few claims my action was too late to claim from their insurer and without insurance (one insurer removing cover means no one else will take up the cover) they ceased trading. JimB From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Ken Schaefer Sent: Tuesday, August 05, 2014 12:38 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: [NTSysADM] it contracts +1 to Brians comments. Also, as a customer, Id also be a bit concerned about any contract that purported to limit your liability to whatever youve been paid. I dont know how it works in the US isnt there professional indemnity insurance that would cover you for negligence etc.? Cheers Ken From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Brian Desmond Sent: Tuesday, 5 August 2014 1:11 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: [NTSysADM] it contracts I generally wont touch anything big or small - without an MSA and SOW in place. The MSA the customer signs once and then each engagement covered by the MSA has a separate SOW that gets signed. Thanks, Brian Desmond <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected] w 312.625.1438 | c 312.731.3132 From: <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected] [ <mailto:[email protected]> mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Adam Greene Sent: Monday, August 4, 2014 9:07 AM To: <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected] Subject: [NTSysADM] it contracts Hi all, We provide IT support to customers on both a recurring (managed services) model and a non-recurring (break-fix and/or project) model. We have a nice complete contract covering all the bases for the managed services customers, but in the case of the break-fix customers, the only thing we make them sign are quotes (on the projects). Random one-off support items are not generally included under any kind of legal document. Were about to do a big project for a break-fix customer, and were thinking it would be wise to accompany our quote with some boiler-plate legalese, too. Key parameters would probably include a limitation of liability clause (i.e. our financial liability is limited to the $$ paid us for the project or particular support we perform; we cant be responsible for $$ lost due to lost business, etc.), force majeure; etc.. Do you all require a contract of some kind on your projects? Or even just your break-fix work? If so, what key parameters do you include? Thanks, Adam
