[plug] OT: insurance

[James Elliott]

HI Russell

I would have replied off the list, as you suggested, but you haven't given
any alternative e-mail addresses.  I might not know a lot about Linux but as
a former company director and having spend a bit of time in courts with
regard to civil litigation, I do know a bit about liability.

These days, if anything goes wrong it seems that someone has to pay for it.
There is no longer any such thing as an Act of God or an honest mistake.  If
you take money for a job then you are even more liable if things go wrong.
So there definitely is a case for public risk insurance and you can get that
from any Fire and General insurance company - I would suggest phoning
several and comparing quotes .... there can be  huge differences in cost and
services.

What you need to do is to assess the risk.   What it comes down to is how
much damage can you do in dollar terms.  If it were possible for you to lose
all the company's data and they could put a high price on recovering from
that situation, then you are at risk.  If they are likely to be wanting less
than $3000 compensation, then don't worry about it - no one sues for small
amounts.

Also, what do you own?  If you own a house and a car then you are at risk.
If you live with Mum and Dad and own nothing of significance then, once
again, you are un-suable.

I hope this helps.

James Elliott
Ravensthorpe Computers
ABN 34 305 232 710
Tel:   08 9838 1043
Fax:  08 9838 1049
Cell:  0428 39 6052
E-mail:  James.Elliott at wn.com.au
Australia Post:
PO Box 228, Ravensthorpe WA 6346
----- Original Message -----
From: "Russell Steicke" <russells at plug.linux.org.au>
To: <plug at plug.linux.org.au>
Sent: Wednesday, June 19, 2002 11:49 AM
Subject: [plug] OT: insurance


> Please excuse the way off-topic question.  I'm asking here because there
> are probably a few people on the list who are in a situation to know about
> this...
>
> While doing contract work in IT (linux and open source/free software in
> particular), how essential do people regard professional indemnity
> insurance?  Who offers such an insurance product in that field?  I'm
> asking because I've been offered some work, and want to try to go in with
> my eyes open.
>
> TIA, and feel free to reply directly to me if you want to avoid cluttering
> up the list (more!).
>
> Russell
>
>