I run a uk web design , hosting company and am having real problems trying to obtain pricing for insurance.

For the web design, no problem but as soon as I mention hosting most of them say we won't cover you, you need to find a specialist company for that.

I've managed to find one company but would like a comparison so any uk hosts out there able to point me in the right direction.

I'm looking at Public Liability, Office & Professional Indemnity Insurance

Thanks

Hi,

We recently got exactly the same as what you are looking for from HSBC. After a bit of confusion on their part (they got confused when we mentioned servers, thinking we hosted them inhouse) we got what we wanted.

Why do you need public liability insurance for a website? or is there something im missing here?

Its not for a website, its for the company as a whole.
Myself and my business partner visit local businesses and discuss their needs. Public liability protects us if we accidentally damage something whilst there. For example cups of coffee can easily go AWOL. :)

Veus is correct, its not for a website. The public liability is also for when clients come to my office. I also offer web design services so its common for potential clients and exisiting clients to visit me. If they trip over a cable and break an arm, or worse, I dead & buried if I have no insurance (which currently I do not)

Professional Indeminty Insurance is also essential, I feel especially for the hosting. What happens if a client has major down time, loses money from no sales and decides to sue, yes we have TOS, AUP etc etc blah blah but I feel that I also want a back up as well and something that can cover me if somethin really goes 'pear shape'

Hi Vues, can you PM me what cover you got and how much it is? (if you don't mind)

Many thanks

I'm not able to PM you yet as you haven't made that many posts.

I think you should concentrate on a very solid set of T's & C's. Until recently I was a reseller of a particular company (changed hands) and they did not carry any insurance but had a comprehensive set of conditions so that their liability is controlled up front. Anybody subscribing to the service has to accept the terms up front, therefore any aggro later should be covered by those conditions and your liability should be controlled and limited to for example the annual fee only and no consequential liability. I am advised that the company I (didn't) mention was protected on numerous occaisions by their T's & C's. Hope this helps