New engineering activities can change a firm’s insurance exposure even where they fall within the same general engineering discipline.
Examples might include moving into:
- certification
- forensic engineering
- remedial design
- façade engineering
- temporary works
- high-rise projects
- infrastructure
- mining or resources
- fire safety work
- design-and-construct projects
The insurer may assess these activities differently from the firm’s existing work.
Relevant factors can include:
- project values
- contractual responsibility
- reliance on the engineer’s advice
- certification or sign-off
- whether the work is safety-critical
- the engineer’s experience in the new activity
The business should therefore review its insurance before the new activity becomes a significant part of its operations.
This also gives the insurer an opportunity to confirm whether any special terms, conditions or additional information are required.
