Liability insurance is vital protection for the contractor. Explanations.
What is meant by professional civil liability?
This civil liability is the obligation to repair all the damage likely to be caused to a customer, a supplier, or a third party in the context of professional activity of sale or provision of services. It can be damaged:
- bodily injury (customer injury);
- materials (breakage or destruction of property belonging to a customer);
- or immaterial (for example, loss of turnover of a customer).
An obligation for certain professions
Given the risks inherent in their activity, some professionals must take out civil liability insurance. Are concerned :
- certain professionals working in private practice (doctors, paramedical professionals, lawyers, and chartered accountants);
- people in the consulting business (real estate, insurance, travel, etc.).
What exactly does it cover?
Professional civil liability insurance compensates damages caused by the manager and his employees (or persons dependent on him): professional misconduct, omission, negligence, lack of prudence, inappropriate advice, design or production fault, and even violation of the image rights.
RC operation, professional, after delivery: what to choose?
The basic operating civil liability cover is supplemented by post-delivery civil liability (product liability) and/or by professional civil liability.
What is the difference with professional multi-risk?
Like multi-risk home insurance, professional multi-risk insurance guarantees the damage likely to be caused to the company following:
- a fire;
- water damage;
- of a theft;
- a natural disaster;
- an act of vandalism, etc.
These contracts operate as “bouquets” of guarantees, they include professional civil liability. They can also be enhanced by various options: business interruption cover (compensating for the consequences of a temporary impossibility to exercise), legal protection assistance, or even “reconstitution of archives and documentary funds” insurance.
Independent, auto-entrepreneur: can we do without it?
The auto-entrepreneur and the individual entrepreneur are professionals like the others. As such, they are liable for damage caused by themselves, their premises, their equipment, and the objects they manufacture, sell or install in the course of their activity. It is therefore strongly recommended that they take out civil liability insurance. If they exercise a profession for which this insurance is required, this obligation also concerns them.
Define your risks
If no one is safe from fault or negligence, the risks vary from one profession to another: a restaurateur, a butcher, or even a pastry chef must imperatively protect themselves against possible food poisoning. , while a hotelier will have to surround himself with effective guarantees to protect the objects entrusted to him by a client against theft.
Before subscribing, take the time to clearly list the risks to which you are exposed.
The advantages of a contract adapted to your profession
Doctor, accountant, craftsman, merchant: most companies offer insurance adapted to the specificities of each profession. Practical, these formulas take into account the most common risks and provide for compensation ceilings calculated accordingly. However, never lose sight of the realities of your business: if he damages a unique piece, a subcontractor working on behalf of a big name in luxury, for example, is exposed to heavier financial consequences than an artisan.
Six options that make the difference
- The civil liability of the manager (intended to cover any mismanagement) and, if necessary, of the corporate officer.
- The “inexcusable fault of the employer” guarantee, in the event of an accident at work of an employee resulting from a breach of the safety obligation.
- The “damage to the environment and biodiversity” guarantee, covering the consequences of accidental events (explosion, burst pipe, etc.).
- The “withdrawal costs” guarantee, for products requiring a return due to a proven or possible danger.
- The “removal-refitting” guarantee, covers the dismantling of a defective product and the assembly of a substitute product.
- Legal protection is essential to facilitate the resolution of disputes, amicably or before the courts.