[TriLUG] OT: getting liability insurance

[Joseph Mack NA3T]

I'm doing a job where I need to install some extra hardware 
at a remote site, pull cable through the ceiling to connect 
them and check that they all work together. It's a couple of 
hours at the most. (And what I can't figure is why they need 
someone else to do the job - I don't know why they can't get 
a spool of cable, some tools and a ladder and just do it 
themselves - it would be much cheaper and quicker).

The customer wants me to have worker's liability insurance, 
although they don't seem to care how much I have (I assume a 
bean counter just has to be able to tick off a box). I've 
already signed a form saying I won't sue them if I injure 
myself through my own negligence. They want the liability 
insurance incase I damage some of the already installed 
computers. On enquiring about liability insurance, I find 
that the insurance company only pays after I'm sued for 
intentionally causing damage. It doesn't cover just dropping 
a screwdriver on a piece of equipment, which is regarded as 
an accident or acts of god, where apparently I'm not liable. 
Presumably intentional damage is a problem if I'm hiring a 
team of people, who I don't know well, and one of them 
decides to deliberately break something. Anyone know if this 
description of liability is correct?

I don't have liability insurance, as all my work till how 
has just been at the keyboard. I called up Nationwide (with 
whom I have car, life and house insurance) and got a quote 
of $1000. The agent said that I shouldn't need liability 
insurance for this job.

What do you guys do for liability insurance? How much do you 
pay? Since I don't have any intention of causing loss of 
income or damage, should I have a high deductable?

Thanks Joe

-- 
Joseph Mack NA3T EME(B,D), FM05lw North Carolina
jmack (at) wm7d (dot) net - azimuthal equidistant map
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