Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a question please submit under contact us and we will reply and update this list constantly.

Q - SEi are going to make professional indemnity & public liability mandatory for 2010 and does the Insurance package you offer meet what SEi require?

A - Yes - Our Professional Indemnity policy provides €1.5 million AOC {any one claim} limit of indemnity and our public liability policy offers €6.5 million AOC limit of indemnity.

Q - Why should I take out my insurance with East Cork Insurances?

A - We were first to market in 2007.We have almost three years experience in offering insurance solutions for Assessors. Using our extensive knowledge gained over time working closely with Assessors we ensure you the assessor has the best cover at a competitive premium and a dedicated handler to assist you. We represent BER Assessors under a scheme so you are assured as part of a scheme, you have added protection in these uncertain times. Most Assessors experience similar problems and we understand these and work very closely with you to advise you and should a claim occur ensure you have the assistance you need. We know other insurance offering will come to you but as part of a scheme and as a valued customer you will not have to spend time explaining what it is you do as an Assessor. We are here to assist you and we trust for many many years you will have a specialist ready to help and guide you.

Q - I am just registering with SEI – can I get cover?
A - No!, no cover can be obtained unless you are registered, however commercial assessors must obtain cover to register with SEi so please contact Paul McMahon to discuss your quotation 021 4632 105

Q - I am not sure what my projected fee income will be.
A - Premium is based on a fee income. Our scheme is based on two levels of fee income Less than €50,0000 or €50,000 - €100,000.

Q - I am thinking of joining up with another assessor.
A - This is no problem – if you and another assessor or a group of assessors join forces we can cover you under one policy. It’s important to note that the partnership has one invoice for all members, one VAT number and no sub contractors are used, and that all relevant papers and files are kept at one address and if one partner does an assessment and does not invoice through the partnership then that partner is not covered for that BER Cert.

Q - I have a limited company who will be covered?
A - Policy will be in the limited company name – on the proposal form you need to insert director’s names and details of all employees whom will be involved in the business and carrying our BER Assessments. Only registered SEI assessor and qualified directors and staff are covered. - If you purchase online the policy once effected in a limited company name will provide protection for all directors and employees of the firm.

Q - Is there VAT on Insurance?
A - No.

Q - I am taking on an assessor as an employee in my business.
A - Cover will be provided for all employees of the firm – their names need to be noted on the original proposal form at inception. Note: you will require employers liability cover if you have employees, as SEI have recommended this. Also the assessor must be registered with SEI.

Q - What if I take on an employee as an assessor during the year?
A - As long as the assessor is registered with SEI and has the relevant experience and is accredited for BER Assessing, then they are covered but you must advise us at renewal time of their details. The assessor working for you must be PAYE and not a sub contractor.

Q - I am doing BER Assessing as part of my main business and I would like to obtain Professional Indemnity Insurance to cover my other activities
A - The scheme is set up for BER Assessing only, however we can submit an application to the insurer for consideration for dual occupation cover. Please phone us to discuss your requirements. Office (021)4632105 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Q - I have held professional indemnity insurance cover for BER Assessing and I left it lapse, can I back date cover.
A - If you lapse professional indemnity insurance, it is important to note the date you started to trade on the proposal form under retroactive date. Please discuss this over the phone. Subject to acceptance of proposal form by the underwriters and no claims and you must not be aware of any issues that may give rise to a claim.

Q - My current Professional Indemnity policy for BER is not adequate as the limit of cover is lower than SEI recommend, and my existing insurer requires a premium which is higher than what I have been quote by East Cork Insurances, what do I do?
A - You can complete a proposal form with us, advising in writing what the position you are in is and we can submit for consideration to the underwritters and if accepted the retroactive date would be from the inception of the original policy. Most professional indemnity and liability policies are non refundable should you cancel during the period of insurance.

Q - I have done a few BER Assessments up to now can I get cover backdated?
A - No – However on a case by case basis once you advise us of the BER Certificate numbers on a letter we can submit to the insurers for consideration at inception of your policy.

Q - What if I decide in a year or so that I am not trading, how do I protect myself against claims as I am responsible for the certificates for 10 years.
A - You will need to purchase run off cover if you decide to cease trading.

Q - What if I take up Insurance for domestic energy assessing and later decide to do thermal imaging work or blower door testing or commercial work, can I change my policy?
A - Our policy automatically provides cover for all of the above and non domestic assessing on condition you hold the relevant accreditation.

Q - I took out cover and I want to cancel as I have no work.
A - You can cancel but no premium will be refunded as the premium is 100% deposit.

Q - I am tendering for work with a county council and they require Employers liability cover and I do not have any employees, do I have to have this cover?

A - No you don’t have to have employer’s liability cover if you do not have an employee – if you are tendering for work advise the council that you do not employ anyone and you do not employ any labour only sub contractors and have no intention of doing so.

Q - I may sub contract work to another assessor.
A - If you are thinking of doing this you should not contract work our to an assessor without professional indemnity insurance and even if that assessor has cover in place the limit of indemnity must not be less than €1,300,000 any one claim and you should seek a copy of the assessors insurance for your file and also seek a copy of their public liability policy. If you are in doubt that the assessor holds adequate cover do not employ them.

Q - What is an excess?
A - This is the amount you have to pay towards the cost of the claim if a claim arises. The excess under our professional indemnity policy is only €500.

Q - What is an aggregate limit of indemnity? Another broker quoted me for professional indemnity insurance and he said it was on an aggregate limit.
A - The maximum amount an insurer will pay under a policy in respect of all accumulated claims arising within a specified period of insurance. In English this means if you had a professional indemnity policy on an aggregate basis and you have four claims in one year and these claims came to a total of €2,000,000, your policy will only cover you to €1,500,000 leaving a shortfall of €500,000. {figures used are for illustrative purposes only}

Q - SEI recommend professional indemnity limit of indemnity of €1,300,000 Any One Claim. What does Any One Claim mean?
A - Each time a claim occurs, the limit of indemnity provided by us under your professional indemnity policy will apply to each claim. Note the minimum level of cover we provide exceeds what SEI require {limit of indemnity under our scheme for professional indemnity insurance with HCC is €1,500,000 any one claim giving added peace of mind}

Q - What is a claims made policy?
A - A policy which only pays claims that are notified to the insurer during a specified period. All claims-made policies have a "retro" date which specifies the beginning date for claims to be considered.

Q - Who are HCC International Insurance Company?
A - They are a specialist professional indemnity insurance company and are AA rated. For more information please go to their web site www.hccint.com.

Q - Who are East Cork Insurances?
A - East Cork Insurances is an independently owned Insurance Brokerage and is part of the Campion Insurance Group, whom are 100% Irish owned. Our office in Midleton has traded since the early 1990’s providing 1,000's of clients with insurance solutions and we have access to specialist insurers for all aspects of business. Our group web site www.campionins.com.

Q - How long has East Cork Insurances offering cover to BER Assessors?
A - Since June 2007.

Q - Does East Cork Insurances offer any other Insurance for assessors?
A - Yes, we have a VAN INSURANCE PACKAGE for Assessors who will require cover for their van(s). Contact Eleanor (0818)224224 for a quotation and she will be pleased to discuss this with you. We can cover tools of trade in case of theft from unattended vehicles. Loss of income for owner managers and many other insurance products for business owners.

ALSO: We can offer cover for construction firms involved in retro-fitting of homes or new builds and we also have a self builders package available - contact Paul McMahon to discuss 087 6458227

Q - I am not really sure what Professional Indemnity Insurance covers and I have never purchased this type of insurance before, what does it cover?
A - Go to the web site and download Professional Indemnity Explained {under products} this will explain all the benefits of having this valuable cover.

Q - Why do I need public liability insurance?
A - If you enter a property to conduct a BER survey and say you accidentally cause damage to the property or someone is injured during the survey visit, you and your business is exposed to serious financial loss should the property owner or a third party decide to seek compensation from you.

Example of type of dangers an assessor faces:

Householder trips on a lead from your lap top
You are inspecting the attic space and your camera slips and hits the householder on the head
A visitor to the property trips on a measuring tape you are using during the survey
Your inspecting the attic and you forget to switch the attic light off and the light over heats and the property is damaged by fire or smoke, the property owner could allege this was caused by you
You enter the property and you bump against a hall table and this hits a child on the head causing injury
This list is endless {Do not take operate without Public Liability Insurance}

The danger and risk to low however if you are be blamed for causing property damage or injuring to someone else it is better to have public liability insurance.

Q - Does public liability cover me should I be injured?
A - No.

Q - Does employers liability insurance cover me the owner of the business?
A - If you are a limited company and include working director cover then yes you will be covered. If you are a sole trader or in a partnership you cannot cover yourself or partners, this is only available for a limited company.

Q - If I had a limited company and I was covered under employers liability as a working director and I was involved in a road accident travelling to a customer am I covered.
A - Yes, not available for sole trader's or partnership's.

Q - I am a sole trader, how do I protect myself against loss of income due to an injury?
A - A few options exist. 1. Personal Accident cover 2. Income protection. Contact Paul McMahon

Q - I am considering having a stand at a home exhibition show what cover do I need?
A - Most Public Liability policies can be extended to cover your stand subject to a premium and conditions, but it is not automatically covered, always seek clarification from your insurer's.

Q - I am doing BER Assessing and I am also the owner of a construction business that will be retrofitting homes with insulation etc, can East Cork Insurance offer cover for this business?
A - Yes – please contact Paul Mc Mahon to discuss your options and requirements. As we are very experienced in advising construction firms on covers available and providing options to reduce costs, just give Paul McMahon a call. We are here to help in any way we can! (021)4632105 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Professional Indemnity policies would need to be updated for this activity so please discuss with us or your insurer - never assume you are fully covered is the best advice.

Q - I may only do 20 BER certs a year, can I get a quote based on each cert I issue?

A - No. The premium is based on your level of fee income and we have selected two levels, up to €50,000 and up to €100,000.

Q - Can I pay by direct debit?

A - Not available - Payment by credit card online only

last updated 01/05/2009