The value of Professional Indemnity insurance (PI) is really understood when a business has a claim. PI is often, until then, viewed as an expensive unnecessary evil but it should be remembered that PI insurance protects the Practice and NOT the client.
When a business has a claim it can tie up valuable management time otherwise directed towards developing and managing projects.
The RIBA Insurance Agency (RIBAIA) provides PI cover to more architects than any other broker. "Our role is to support our clients throughout the claims process" says Simon Brookes, RIBAIA MD.
"We assist our clients by provision of advice on all claims matters including when a circumstance needs to be notified. Wordings differ in this respect as to the timing of when a notification is needed and many firms do not appreciate the difference" says Simon (refer to the earlier article on claims notification).
"We assist our clients in how to present a claim which otherwise could be denied on the grounds that the notification was too narrow. We also assist in identifying what information will be required by insurers in support of the claim. We then support our client throughout the process given it can take in excess of ten years for a claim to be resolved.
There can be complicated issues to resolve, for example was the claim notified in a timely fashion (the RIBAIA policy wording incorporates an innocent non-disclosure clause to protect our clients),which lawyer is most appropriate to provide advice etc. These are all part of the claims service we provide to our clients every day of the week. We also collect monies from insurers and ensure that they are paid into Court or to the claimant to meet appropriate timescales"
"I hope that there is never a need to test a PI policy but if there is it should be remembered that the RIBAIA is the ONLY insurance broker endorsed by the RIBA itself".
For further details contact uk-pi@ajg.com or telephone 0207 234 4025.