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B.Bruce  
#1 Posted : 14 June 2012 11:32:03(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
B.Bruce

Looking for some guidance on this one.........

We have been audited under ISO9001 by BSI. They have identied that one of the training companies we use does not have professional indeminty insurance, stating that we should be requesting this from all training/consultancy providers.

I agree that we should and requested that the training provider extends their insurance policy to include this type of cover. However, the trainers broker contacted me yesterday and explained that this is not normally required for training providers - I disagreed on the basis that the training companies provide professional advice, knowledge and skills to companies like ourselves and as such are at risk of claims from their customers (the 3rd party) should that training be proven wrong, inaccurate or insufficient.

Am I correct?

David Bannister  
#2 Posted : 14 June 2012 12:38:20(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
David Bannister

BB, I agree that an organisation that provides a professional service should consider carefully whether they need to buy PI insurance protection. That is for them to ponder.

From your perspective, ask yourself whether the supplier could create so much mischief that you may need to sue them for large amounts of money. If the answer is yes, insist on evidence of adequate insurance being in place; if no, ignore the advice.
PH2  
#3 Posted : 14 June 2012 12:44:58(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
PH2

Hi,
the organisation that I work for provides health and safety training as a small part of its service. We have been asked for copies of our PI insurance by a number of Clients prior to providing this training, and we have no problem doing so.

The broker is misleading you. It is not unreasonable to expect that anyone providing a "Professional" service should have Professional Indemnity insurance.

In my opinion, you should change training providers to one who is able to provide the PI insurance.

PH2
MB1  
#4 Posted : 14 June 2012 13:14:40(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
MB1

Was this a nonconformance to the standard or an improvement comment?

Unless it actually states in a policy or procedure document that you would be normally doing this, then they should be identifying the non conformance relating to the point?
B.Bruce  
#5 Posted : 14 June 2012 13:22:48(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
B.Bruce

MB1 - this was an observation based on our contractors policy.

At this stage - I'm more concerned about protection against litigation than a Obs or Minor NCR against the standard.
Lexyboy  
#6 Posted : 14 June 2012 14:57:08(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
lexyboy

B Bruce, as its highlighted as an observation your organisation is free to choose or disregard that observation and deal with it accordingly.

Its your employers business and BSI cannot tell you how to run it.

pete48  
#7 Posted : 15 June 2012 08:15:57(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
pete48

It may be that the broker is simply saying that training consultancy is not one of the "professions" where P.I. is normally required to practice or where a trade or professional association requires its members to have such a policy. That is not quite the same as saying they shouldn't have it.
However, in todays world, cases for breach of contract and/or finding someone else to blame are becoming more common. (despite the difficulty and potential costs of same)
Therefore, it seems an obvious cover to have for any undertaking that provides advice or services upon which their clients depend.

I would talk to your company insurers and or legal people to get their opinons on whether you should have holding P.I. as a condition of your contracts,

p48
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