Posted By Richard Beales For those of you who take out PI cover through the Oval 'IOSH Members' Scheme', some info which may be useful. 1. I thought this scheme was only through this one broker - it is not. 2. I have used this scheme without question for 4 years, but have now discovered that the policy offered is good but attracts a high premium level when comparing with some others. Many small H&S consultancies like my own do not need much of the cover offered (eg pollution cover, any one claim as opposed to aggregate limit basis), and a suitable alternative policy is available for around 50% of the premium. Having spoken with Oval they were helpful and indeed offered me a policy with their underwriter which suited my business needs AND was considerably cheaper. I do feel members should be given options depending on their needs, and not have to have a level of understanding needed to query policy terms before being offered that option. Perhaps I am alone in not querying this sooner, and I should have read the small print, but I thought PI was PI. Like any other insurance, cover can vary significantly, along with the premium. Richard Beales

Posted By Hazel Harvey Gary, Richard contacted me about this and I could see no objections relating to this post which is offering advice to other IOSH members. IOSH don't recommend any particular PII scheme but do have some organisations which can be contacted if a member doesn't have their own source. The circumstances of all members are different so we would always advise members to shop around before purchasing what can be an expensive policy. Hazel Harvey Director of Professional Affairs

Posted By R Joe Richard, thanks for the information. On the back of this I've recently spoken to Oval (I'm currently with Sennett) and although they are willing to (maybe) offer some flexibility (Sennett are not - their wording is 'fixed' apparently), the maximum discount appears to be 25% but at a significant price eg a policy based on an aggregate instead of per claim basis, and an excess of £1000 per claim instead of £250, which makes any saving potentially a bit hollow in the event of any claim! Can you provide any more details and/or can any other colleagues give a definite steer on which other brokers are worth talking to. Like Richard I went to Sennett and Oval/Bland Bankart first time around, but now want to understand a bit more about what the options actually are. Thanks & regards RJ

Posted By R Joe A further thought on this - perhaps to the moderator - could the Consultancy SG offer a view or steer. This must be an issue for many of its members, of which I'm one! Thanks RJ

Posted By Is Kismet Oval, £765. £1M, £250 excess. Don't touch asbestos but do general H&S training, not into pollution.

Posted By Rob T Unfortunately, and even after talking to the insurance people at IOSH conference on the different stands, no-one would offer me professional indemnity for advice at any price as a freelancer. Has anyone else had this problem? (I must say that I quite often work at the higher end of the risk market though). I'd always been indemnified by companies I directly worked for in the past so it wasn't a problem.

Posted By Paul Leadbetter We won't hear about a consultant being sued unless it gets to court and most insurers will make sure that doesn't happen for fear of setting a precedent. I now get my PI cover from Norwich Union; it saved me a packet compared with my previous insurer. Paul