Rank: Super forum user 
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I am discussing a relatively low paid job looking after fire safety of a number of premises on a part time basis - almost zero hours. But as I am retired, it will be nice to keep my mind ticking over and keep up to date. I would have loved to have been on PAYE, but its likely I will have to start up as a sole trader which is a pain.
As I scope this offer to see if its viable, I will obviously have to consider public indemnity insurance. I fear the cost will be rather excessive when considering I will only be working around 60 days a year in this way. As a result, I intend asking for a few quotes from insurance companies over the next few days
So can anyone recommend an insurance company - preferable one that may take into account the limited days I will be working, therefore less exposiure to risk, so offer a reduced premium ( am I asking too much?!!)
Thanks
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Rank: Super forum user 
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I can't recommend an insurer with such flexibility, although I can tell you that the insurance offered through IOSH Extras is standardised and so probably wouldn't suit you. But I do think you need two insurances, both public liability and professional indemnity. Also, when you get quotes, check that they include tax (there is a specific insurance tax) and fees (you may imagine there will be arbitrary fees).
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Rank: Super forum user
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Many thanks Kate. I had no idea about the tax!
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Rank: Super forum user
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Originally Posted by: Kate  I can't recommend an insurer with such flexibility, although I can tell you that the insurance offered through IOSH Extras is standardised and so probably wouldn't suit you. But I do think you need two insurances, both public liability and professional indemnity. Also, when you get quotes, check that they include tax (there is a specific insurance tax) and fees (you may imagine there will be arbitrary fees).
As a consultant in fire safety they wouldn't generally come into contact with the public? My thought process would be that you only need Prof indemnity. You offer advice to your client, they are not legally bound to accept it or act upon it. If you offer bad advice and they act upon it and something happens to a member of the public, the public would sue the venue because they have set the conditions for the incident whatever that may be. Then in turn the venue/client would sue you the consultant for your bad advice. Public liability is in my mind aimed at tradesmen who do building/construction work where there is no ambiguity about who caused the incident.
Or am I over simplifying it??
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Rank: Super forum user
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It's not just by giving bad advice that a fire risk assessor could cause harm (although I agree it is the more concerning scenario). When visiting a building to assess its fire risk, you might leave things in an unsafe condition by for example creating a trip hazard that you leave behind or by breaking some item that you were inspecting.
Organisations often expect all their contractors, whatever they do, to have public liability insurance. Don't forget that "public" includes client representatives as well as the general public and hopefully the fire risk assessor does come into contact with client representatives.
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 1 user thanked Kate for this useful post.
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