Working from home insurance

m1steron

Hi,

I am a freelance computer techie working from home. I provide remote assistance, offsite visits, but mainly fix computers at home.

I do not provide support for businesses, only home users.

Do I need to change my household insurance to reflect business use?

I have tried various comparison sites but most only come up with 2-3 different insurers (which I have never heard of). Also had phone conversations with Swinton and Budget but as soon as I mentioned 'business use' they said they would not be able to insure me.


Any advice would be most welcome.

bingbong1978

Have you called your current insurers and told them in what capacity you work from home?? I think it becomes an issue if you have visitors to your house or hold stock. Won't think it would be too much of an issue doing what you do but underwriting is not my area.

dunstonh

Do I need to change my household insurance to reflect business use?

Possibly or even probably.

Clerical work is rarely an issue with most providers (some direct/internet ones rule it out though so the can cut back a bit more and appear higher up the quote comparison site list). Once you start to involve stock being held on site (which you would) you start to limit your choice with standard household plans. If you have visitors to site regarding business then you eliminate even more.

You may need to move to a homeworker policy but that isnt necessarily a bad thing as you can often incorporate your public liability cover in with it and depending on the type of work, its not always that much more.

Dont use toytown brokers like the ones you have tried. Use a proper local broker. If you use the internet then be aware that the internet usually cherry picks mainstream simple cases and doesnt offer anywhere near the coverage for specific requirements. They leave it mostly to the brokers.

dogbot

agreed with dunstonh above. get a home business/home worker policy.

The main issue is high risk business stock - physical computer items - which a home business policy would cater for, and business visitors which increases liability risks from a home insurer's perspective and means most standard policies don't want to be involved. There are a few policies availible, both in the personal lines market and commercial market that offer combined business and home cover and a local broker will be able to help you go thought these.