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Public Liability / Professional Indemnity Insurances
Environpest maintain public liability insurances with Pacific International through Rapid Solutions (our major industry insurer) (www.rapidsolutions.com.au). From a consumer perspective, this must be refreshing in that in the event that something goes wrong, you can be assured that we have the backing to support us and you as the consumer.
2/10/2003. At Environpest, we've just learnt that the Building Services Authority that administers our industry has decided that public liability / professional indemnity insurances are no longer going to be a requirement for BSA licensing. From a consumer perspective this has to be considered atrocious. It would appear that some within our industry are finding it difficult to attract these insurances, so the BSA's solution appears to be to remove the requirement. Under the proposed removal of the insurance requirement, those that don't have insurance must inform their clients they don't have insurance. We can see this one being rigidly enforced.
This places consumers in a difficult position. Lets say a property is purchased, and it can be found that the advice provided to the purchaser was not sound, and a claim is made on the pest and/or building inspector. Without insurance, the consumer is relying on the financial capacity and integrity of the contractor.
Under the current regime, we must all have appropriate insurances which will cover any claims. If we can't attract these insurances, we can't work. Those who ethically maintain insurances (Environpest will) will have to compete financially with those who choose not to. We don't agree with the removal of this insurance requirement, and we suggest you contact your local State parliamentarian to let them know what you think. A list of Queensland's State members is available here at http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Parlib/Members/. This also has access to the e-mail addresses and phone numbers of your local parliamentarians. © Mark Porter 2003
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