Draughting/Design Insurance/Liabilty

Question

Draughting/Design Insurance/Liabilty

Engineeeeeeeeer (Mechanical)

(OP)

30 Jun 05 14:56

I am a Mechanical Engineer in the UK and I am currently undertaking Self-Employed part time work in the evenings (also have a separate day job).

Do I have to get insurance or liability insurance for the work I do?

My work is typically doing CAD manufacture drawings based upon rough sketches by 'client' and then completing the drawings based on my experience.  My client does not give me Purchase Orders, but requests work by emails, and then I Invoice, typically 15-30days.  When I email the drawings, I include in the body "see attached drawings for Checking" and I also attach a transmittal note saying 'for checking and approval'.  By doing this, am I really putting the onus on the client to check all is correct? and thus ensuring I cannot be held responsible for costs of putting right any mistakes due to drawing errors (heaven forbid)

Experienced views would be appreciated.  Many thanks

RCEJD (Geotechnical) · Answer 1 · 2005-07-01 00:29:34

I am not familiar with the practices of the UK, but I can not see where you would be waiving or excusing your negligence by telling a client, who may not be the most knowlegeable person or has the expertise to check your drawings.

Is your area of practice exposed to the liability and does the UK provide your area of practice protection via a corporate shell ?

weh3 (Electrical) · Answer 2 · 2005-07-06 09:45:58

You should only need liability or Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance if you are a design professional (PE or equivalent) responsible for the content of the design. If you are only doing draughting, then I can't see the need, since you are working under the direction of a design professional, who is responsible for checking.

Cheers,
William

Engineeeeeeeeer (Mechanical) · Answer 3 · 2005-07-06 16:05:17

Thanks for the replies. I tend to agree with Web3 William as I am only doing draughting, producing manufacture drawings.
I am Degree Educated and (more importantly perhaps) have 8yrs intensive experience. Does anynoe have typical E&O rates for engineers in the UK?

TrafficDesigner (Civil/Environmental) · Answer 4 · 2005-07-13 22:48:01

I agree with you also, but maybe as an extra precaution when you send your invoices to your client, you should start printing on them "For Draughting Services", as a description of the service you are billing for, and of course keep copies of them.

If you are ever called on it, you have it in writing on the invoice what service you were specifically providing. I would do this especially if you are not sealing the drawings.

Additionally, it wouldn't hurt to ask an insurance agent, they are always giving out free quotes and they could tell you if you need it or not for what you are doing.

Hope this helps,

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Draughting/Design Insurance/Liabilty