Unsure? Insure!

By Ashley Baxter

After so many years helping freelancers stay in business, I’m no stranger to the kinds of problems you face. But freelancing doesn’t mean having to face these problems alone. A lot of the time there i... more

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FAQs about Unsure? Insure!:

How many episodes does Unsure? Insure! have?

The podcast currently has 52 episodes available.

Unsure? Insure! episodes:

February 10, 2020Behind the scenes of a professional indemnity claim
With Jack
How insurance helped this developer fight scope creep
Provide the insurer with details of the situation, what the monetary loss is, contracts and any communication to strengthen your case
The insurer will appoint lawyers to help you
The lawyers will negotiate with your client to reach an agreement—the cost of which is covered under your policy as well as any damages owed to the client
You get the legal protection of working at a big company, and avoid having to shop around for legal experts and pay expensive fees
...more
9min
February 03, 2020Business contents vs home contents insurance
With Jack
Hidden App
Home insurance policies exclude equipment used for business by default so have a dedicated business contents policy for equipment you use for work
Alternatively ask your home insurer to add a business equipment endorsement to your policy
Business contents policies usually have meatier cover and claims are settled quicker so you can get back to work
Disclose information such as “I work from home" or "I have a garden office” else your home insurer might reject your claim
Most of our contents claims are accidental damage-related—not theft
...more
7min
January 27, 2020The lowdown on IR35 insurance
With Jack
There’s a change in legislation that ensures HMRC can seek to recover any employment tax liabilities if a business fails to comply
This can affect freelancers operating under a limited company as it applies to off-payroll workers
There is insurance called legal expenses that can help you if there’s a dispute or enquiry from HMRC relating to IR35
A tax specialist will help you defend the enquiry and the insurance will cover the cost of a dispute with HMRC
There’s also a tax helpline you can call at any time with concerns about complying with HMRC IR35 regulations
Every insurer is different, but With Jack customers can expect to pay £65.71 per year for this cover
...more
6min
January 20, 2020Dos and don'ts when a project goes wrong
With Jack
Don’t panic. Emotional, knee-jerk responses to unhappy clients rarely end well. Take some time out before you formulate your reply
Don’t admit liability or offer a refund. Offering a refund could complicate matters from a legal perspective and hinder the negotiation process if you need to use your insurance
Don’t sweeten the deal by offering to throw things in for free. This usually leads to the client taking advantage and the project breaks down even further
Do contact your insurer. You can use the legal advice helpline as part of your legal expenses insurance, or file a professional indemnity claim if there's the threat of legal action or a monetary loss
Do gather information that can support your case. This can help lawyers defend you, or it can strengthen your stance when dealing with unreasonable clients (e.g. "That wasn't in the contract", "This isn't included in the project spec")
...more
8min
January 13, 20205 reasons freelancers' insurance claims won't get paid
With Jack
Review your policy at least a couple of times a year to see if there are any gaps in your cover
Write down what concerns you have in your business and ask your insurer how your policy could help you with those concerns e.g. "I'm concerned about cashflow if a client doesn't pay me"
Be aware of your policy exclusions. These are listed in the policy wording
Contact your insurer as soon as you're aware of any problems, but the policy will be triggered when there's a threat of legal action or a demand for compensation
...more
9min
January 06, 2020Client wants me to finish our project and is asking for damages
With Jack
It's your job to communicate with clients
Discover as much detail in advance of the project beginning
Communicate that the scope and the budget are connected
Have the client agree to these terms in your contract
Professional indemnity insurance can help you if things progress to the stage your client is asking you to pay damages to the company
...more
8min
December 30, 2019Will my insurance be void if I don't have a contract?
With Jack
Every insurer has different requirements when determining your eligibility to get covered—one of those may be you need a contract
Get into the habit of documenting your process. Edits, comments, requests…
This can be via email or working collaboratively via a project management tool
Always have a contract!
...more
6min
December 23, 2019When should I contact my insurer?
With Jack
The insurer considers a 'circumstance' a complaint or criticism from a client, or a mistake in your work. This is when you want to contact your insurer
Your professional indemnity policy will be triggered when you receive a demand for compensation from a client or a threat of legal action
If you want assistance before a situation has escalated, consider using the legal advice helpline as part of your legal expenses insurance
If in doubt, contact your insurer
...more
5min
December 16, 2019Client is threatening to hire another freelancer… and send me the invoice
With Jack
Always. Have. A. Contract.
A project scope will give the project structure. This helps to prevent scope creep
Don't work for free! In most cases the client will take advantage
Because the client is claiming compensation for hiring other freelancers, your professional indemnity insurance might help
...more
7min
December 09, 2019Client project has stalled. What now?
With Jack
Have payment terms that incentivise clients to keep the project moving, such as billing to specific dates
Add a 'pause clause' to your contract
If your client is unhappy with the progress and their refusal to pay is accompanied with a threat, contact your insurer. Your professional indemnity insurance might be able to help
If your client is claiming loss of income due to missing a deadline or asking for compensation to hire other freelancers, contact your insurer. Your professional indemnity insurance might be able to help
...more
8min

FAQs about Unsure? Insure!:

How many episodes does Unsure? Insure! have?

The podcast currently has 52 episodes available.