Homeworkers 'advised to check insurance'
Published On 22 November 2007
Anyone thinking about taking advantage of new technology and working from home should ensure that their employer has sufficient insurance cover.That's according to Malcom Tarling, a spokesperson for the Association of British Insurers, who said that depending on the nature of the work, different cover may be needed.
If someone is employed but working from home some of the time, they "should ensure first that your employer has arranged the necessary level of cover", he said.
"For example, if there are clients visiting your home you need to make sure that your employer has that in their liability insurance coverage."
This should be relatively simple, Mr Tarling said, but it is a different matter if an employee is in effect "setting up a cottage industry, of some sort of manufacturing nature".
"There may need to be a risk assessment, and there will be more questions asked," he said. "You may have items of machinery that needs to be covered, the costs of liability may be greater, and the liability may be greater if you have clients visiting your home."
