Public liability - is this normal?

[SAM66S]

We've had it happen to us on a big scale a couple of times. One was a guy who priced up a big oak dismantle for us at a place where we were in charge of the garden and landscaping, and had been for many years. This guy went down to start the job and told the customer it would be less if he paid him directly. In the blink of an eye him and his sons were in there doing the whole garden and all sorts. It's not nice when it's someone you've known for 25+ years. And it's one of the reasons I'll always make sure I'm on the job now.

 

I dont blame you at all! I am very careful who i sub in now for that exact same reason

[CTS]

I'm not sure that NFU now insure you or anyone to climb at all above a small height. Might be worth checking for future work.

[Pedroski]

I'm not sure that NFU now insure you or anyone to climb at all above a small height. Might be worth checking for future work.

Ahh, I wonder if that was the problem. They did ask about heights and I suggested 30m as a ballpark figure for max climbing height. Also, she was asking about height for hedges, and some of the stuff we do is fairly high conifer hedges.

[mikecotterill]

I'm not sure that NFU now insure you or anyone to climb at all above a small height. Might be worth checking for future work.

 

Yep they have a height restriction, I tried last year and they said 5m I think!

[CTS]

Yep they have a height restriction, I tried last year and they said 5m I think!

 

So basically why do they even offer any insurance for tree surgery?? I use trust insurance and they are very easy to deal with and cheapest quotes I could find. Been using them since I started.

 

 

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[Kev Stephenson]

There is a big difference between using subbies to do a job for you and getting subbies in to assist with the job. It all boils down to the person making the decisions during the job.

 

I had this discussion with NFU and got in writing

 

1. If I am on site and using subbies to assist (even if I sit in the van doing nowt I am still there) then the liability is mine entirely. I am employing the subbie and any insurance liability is on my policy.

 

2. If I get a job but sub that entire job or part of that job out then the liability is with the contractor. For example if you took on a full landscaping job for say £10k to include clear and replant you could sub the clear out to Joe Bloggs trees for say £3k, hand the site to them, site gets cleared and handed back any insurance issues while the site is getting cleared are your sub contractors. You have contracted out the work to a third party and they make the decisions on how the work is done, you have no input other than the spec that they quoted against. The original client may sue you but provided you can prove to your insurance co that you subbed it out then they will pass the claim to your subbies insurers.

 

I have insurance for direct employees (i.e. on the pay role), use of subbies (day by day invoiced e.g. a climber) and use of bona fide subbies (handing the job to A.N. Other company who have their own insurance)

[Maxnaggle]

just out of interest how much is public liability insurance ? (roughly) , i have no idea whatsoever ! thanks

[Kev Stephenson]

It's usually turn over dependant but upwards of £1k for a sub vat threshold company

[mikecotterill]

I pay 350 with trust

[Dean Lofthouse]

I reckon most people are not insured or have been sold insurance that is useless to them.

 

I am a one man band with one employee and my insurance premium is £2k, I was with NFu at around £400 previously but I wasn't,t really insured when you look at the small print. the proof was in the pudding when it came to a claim.

 

Be very wary guys, I came through it but I could have lost everything including my house.

 

Pay cheap at your own peril