As you will be aware insurers are increasingly reluctant to provide cover in respect of “asbestos liabilities”.

The standard RICS policy wording provides very restricted cover for asbestos liabilities: £250 000 in the Aggregate excluding cover for consequential loss and/or bodily injury claims.

However, the introduction of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations (CAWR) in May 2004 has made it necessary to specifically address the issue once again.

There will now be a specific, stand-alone, insurance for asbestos inspectors holding the NIACS membership that will include cover for bodily injury. RICS has been working with Lloyds broker Howden to develop an insurance solution and we are pleased to be able to advise that we are able to offer cover to all NIACS asbestos inspectors and advise generally upon asbestos liability insurance issues.

Quotations for NIACS inspectors cannot be provided until the NIACS certificate has been obtained.

Surveyors not wishing to carry out asbestos (CAWR) inspections will not need the specific inspector’s cover but should nevertheless review with their insurer or broker the cover they may require in respect of giving advice in connection with management plans associated with the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations and any other work that may be related thereto.

It is unsafe to assume that cover will automatically be provided by any ordinary professional indemnity insurance. It is important that you should specifically check your cover.

For further information or to obtain specific advice please contact:

Matthew Reed,
Howden
Bevis Marks House
Bevis Marks
London
EC3A 7NE

T +44(0)207 623 3806
E mreed@howdenuk.com