Blyth Valley’s team of Professional Indemnity advisors are on hand to help and advise, free of charge. You can contact Gemma Hicks, your dedicated personal adviser for your business insurance needs. As an ACSW member you will receive 25% discount from an already very competitive premium. Gemma will discuss with you how much cover is appropriate for your needs and which type of cover is most suitable.

Blyth Valley offer two types of Professional Indemnity cover:

• ‘Negligence Only’, Blyth Valley's solid but simple entry-level cover.
• ‘Any Civil Liability’ which goes further and offers you a broader, comprehensive cover.

You can add other insurances to your cover– including Public Liability, Employers’ Liability, Office Contents, Portable Equipment and more, Blyth Valley will advise you further. Whether you’re setting out and need Professional Indemnity cover for the first time or just wish to compare costs, cover and service – please get in touch with Blyth Valley.

We've already asked Blyth Valley a few questions to help you.

• Can I pay the premium monthly?
Yes, and it’s interest-free, Direct Debit. Your cover will be written on a continuous basis – so the cover stays in place as long as you keep paying, this means no lengthy proposal forms to complete at your policy anniversary.

• Will I be covered for legal work?
Yes, so long as the legal work is declared to Blyth Valley at the time of purchase and noted as your business activity.

• Are there any exemptions?
You are covered for the activities noted on your policy schedule. Exclusions will be specified within the wording. Give Blyth Valley a call and they can walk you through the detail.

• Will I be covered if I work freelance through an agency?
Yes – the policy will be in your name so any work you do will be covered, so long as all of the types of work you do are declared to Blyth Valley.

• How much will it cost?
Premiums start from £126 per annum (£10.50 per month) including insurance premium tax (5%) - this is for £250,000 of cover on a negligence only policy.

• When will I be covered?
You will be covered from your chosen start date until such time that you cancel the policy or stop your monthly payments.

• Does it cover voluntary work?
Yes, so long as you tell Blyth Valley at the time of purchase or in advance of starting work so they can inform the underwriter.

• What does it cover?
Broadly, it will cover the costs of defending you against allegations of negligence brought by clients, and cover the costs of rectifying mistakes and/or paying compensation. It may also cover your fees if a client refuses to pay because of a complaint they have against you. The detail is in the policy wording, and Blyth Valley can walk you through it.

• Will you send me a reminder when it’s up for renewal?
As this policy is written on a continuous basis, it keeps rolling on until you stop or change it, so there is no renewal date as such. When the anniversary of the policy is approaching we will send you a reminder, just to make sure that the details we have about you and your work are still correct.

• Will it cover me if I get more qualifications, or will I need to update it?
You would have already proved your ability and professionalism to the association so you will be covered; there is no need to update us if you gain more qualifications as long as your business activities haven’t changed.

• If I work as a CSW and in another occupation, will it cover both?
Probably, depending on what the other occupation is. You’d need to speak to Blyth Valley to check but they do cover a very wide range of professions.

• Is there a limit on payout?
Yes, there is a ceiling, but you agree what the upper limit is and how the limit is applied when you buy.

• Will any previous claims affect the premium?
Sometimes, yes. All previous claims circumstances need to be disclosed and Blyth Valley will tell you if this will affect your premium.

• Will any health conditions I have affect the cover?
No.

• How long do claims take to process?
It all depends on the nature and complexity of the claim. Blyth Valley will deal with all claims as quickly as possible, and keep you informed every step of the way. It is, after all, the reason why you buy insurance in the first place. Please see the Blyth Valley website for further information.

• Is there any no claims bonus?
Sorry, no. But, if your policy remains unaltered (i.e. you don’t increase your level of cover), and your business remains broadly the same, the monthly cost rolls on unchanged, rather than increasing every year.

• Can more than one person be named on the policy?
Normally, yes. You’d need to discuss this with Blyth Valley at the time of purchase and it will depend on the circumstances.

• Does cover depend on having a current CRB check?
No.

• If I stop being a member of ACSW, will my cover stop?
Blyth Valley can still provide cover but you’d lose your discount.

• Is there someone on the end of a phone to support me?
Blyth Valley are there 9-5.30 Monday to Friday. We’d suggest you ask for Gemma Hicks but anyone in the team should be able to help you. 0845 366 9825.

• Sometimes I go with a client on a trip out of the country. Am I covered if I work abroad?
Blyth Valley can cover you for work abroad, but it needs to be explicitly added to your policy, so you’d need to mention it to Blyth Valley when you buy, or before you travel. There may be a cost impact, depending on where you’re going. You would need to arrange your own Travel insurance, which Blyth Valley can also help you with.

• Does it cover me for the full range of CSW activities, like interpreting, notetaking, Deafblind guiding etc?
This depends on the detail of what you’re doing. It’s best to speak to Blyth Valley as you may require other insurances like Public Liability which can be included in your insurance package with them.

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