Help & resources
Get guidance on things such as HR, Marketing and Legal.
Fast, easy online quote in 90 seconds
24hr legal advice helpline included
No hidden fees or cancellations
The ongoing maintenance and repair of IT networks is a critical task. A simple mistake could see your client’s business interrupted, costing them valuable time and money. Markel Direct offers specialist network engineer insurance to protect your business should the worst happen.
Our specialist network engineers insurance could help protect your business against mistakes you make in your work. Despite your best intentions, systems could fail following changes or upgrades you recommended, and a client could suffer financial loss due to disrupted services that potentially lead to an expensive claim.
Cover at a glance:
- Protect yourself professionally from a wide range of claims
- Risks include negligence, data loss, or third-party injuries
- Covers errors in setup, configuration and security
What is network engineers insurance?
Network engineer insurance covers IT contractors and engineers tasked with the setup and maintenance of computer networks within (or between) companies.
Our network engineer insurance is designed to protect your business against claims for a wide range of situations – such as making a mistake whilst working for your client, or someone being injured as a result of your negligence.
Cover starting at
£5 a month*
*Price based on a network engineer requiring £1 million of public liability insurance.
Why do network engineers need insurance?
With 24/7 connectivity a must-have for businesses, the role of network engineers has many responsibilities and a lot of trust is placed in you to provide a service that’s efficient and reliable.
Whether offering helpdesk support, carrying out emergency upgrades or performing routine maintenance, the high-pressure situations that face network engineers means mistakes can happenand our insurance for network engineers can protect your business in the event of a claim.
Example policy documents
If you have an existing policy with us, please sign in to view your policy documents.
Below you will find examples of the documents provided.
What does network engineers insurance cover?
If you make a mistake that results in your client (or a third party) suffering a loss, you could see a claim brought against you. Examples include:
- Professional negligence – you make a mistake that results in a hardware failure and causes an interruption to your client’s business. They pursue you for their losses.
- Data loss -a system error caused by your oversight corrupts important data. It takes a significant amount of time and money to rectify and your client takes legal action against you to recover their losses.
- Injury caused to third parties - a member of staff injures themselves after tripping over your bag whilst you are repairing a server rack. They make a personal injury claim against you.
How to arrange cover
Get an online quote in 90 seconds now, or call us on 0800 640 6600 – one of our insurance experts will be happy to answer any questions you have, and discuss the types of cover on offer, so you’re able to decide what’s best for your business.
Tailor your network engineer insurance policy with these covers
-
Professional indemnity insurance
Professional indemnity insurance covers the cost of defending yourself and your business against alleged professional negligence (such as giving incorrect or wrongful advice, or providing services below the agreed-upon standard). If your defence is unsuccessful, cover also takes into account the cost of damages awarded against you.
Examples of claims include:
- Breach of contract: You’re hired to manage a network implementation to a specific deadline. The project overruns, and you are held responsible for the additional costs incurred due to the delay.
- Negligence: You recommend a specific model of server for a client; however, it is deemed not fit for purpose after you complete the project. The client takes legal action against you to rectify the issue.
Our policy also provides mitigation of loss cover and this pays the costs incurred to avoid a claim being made against you.
Professional indemnity insurance is essential for network engineers and contractors, with limits ranging from £50k to £5m.
-
Public and product liability insurance
Public and product liability insurance covers the cost of defending your business against allegations of injury caused to third parties (or damage to their property) which comes as a result of going about your business. Damages awarded against you if your defence is unsuccessful are also covered.
Examples of claims include:
- You damage a client’s hardware by using the wrong type of equipment to access it. The equipment needs to be repaired and they send you the bill for several thousand pounds.
- You leave a loose cable lying across the office floor which an employee of your client trips over and injures themselves. They make a personal injury claim against you seeking compensation.
Limits range from £1m to £5m.
-
Employer’s liability insurance
Employer’s liability insurance is a legal requirement for a business that takes on employees. It covers your company against claims employees could make due to injury or illness suffered on the job.
If your business has any employees, you need this cover. Limit of £10m.
-
Legal expenses insurance
Commercial legal expenses insurance covers the costs of defending you as a director or officer of your company against allegations of wrongful acts and any damages subsequently awarded against you. Cover is also provided for the legal costs and expenses of defending actions for disqualification as a director, investigations and extradition proceedings. Limits range from £100,000 to £5m.
-
Directors and officers insurance
Directors and officers insurance covers the cost of defending your position as a company director against allegations of wrongful acts, as well as damages subsequently awarded against you.
It also covers the legal costs and expenses of defending actions for disqualification as a director, investigations and extradition proceedings. Limits range from £25k to £5m.
-
Office insurance
Office insurance provides cover for your office buildings and contents. It also covers computer equipment against accidental damage (including theft) while on your business premises. You can insure business equipment like laptops and mobile phones against accidental damage, loss and more anywhere in the world.
Business interruption insurance is also available, which can protect your business against loss of income and additional trading expenses if an event such as a fire or flood prevents you from working in your usual premises.
-
Occupational personal accident insurance
Occupational personal accident insurance provides a weekly payment if you are unable to work due to temporary total disablement (subject to a 14 day deferment period).
It pays a lump sum in the event of:
- Loss of limbs
- Loss of sight
- Loss of speech
- Loss of hearing
- Permanent disablement
- Death
This cover could help you maintain an income if you are unable to work following an accident while working on an engineering contract, and would struggle to maintain a steady income while off work.
How it works
Choose the cover you require
Get a quote you need in minutes
Buy online or contact one of our advisors
How much does it cost?
Network engineer insurance starts at £5 a month. Costs vary depending on the type and level of cover you choose, and there are no hidden fees or cancellation charges if you decide to end your policy early.
Ready to build your quote?
Our simple quote process will help you to find the right business insurance for your individual needs.
Frequently asked questions
These frequently asked questions are designed to help you and include questions relating to policy cover, pricing and ‘technical’ terms.
-
I need professional indemnity insurance to secure a contract - do you provide proof of cover?
Yes. If you purchase your policy with us, you’ll instantly receive the documents via email. They include a dedicated 'Confirmation of Liability Insurance' document (detailing the cover you have with us), which you can present as proof of cover.
-
Is my past work covered?
If you have held professional indemnity insurance uninterrupted prior to arranging your policy with us, we will be happy to cover past work.
However, if for any reason you have not had professional indemnity insurance in place for a period of time – if you’ve never arranged it, allowed cover to lapse, or cancelled a previous policy – we won’t be able to cover past work.
Don't hesitate to call us on 0800 640 6600 if you require further clarification.
-
What limit of cover should I choose?
You’ll be required by many clients and regulated industry bodies to have a minimum level of cover before you can undertake a contract. Therefore, it’s worth checking before you arrange cover.
If it’s the first time you’ve arranged cover, or aren’t sure of the details, think about a potential worst-case scenario and weigh up the likely costs involved in correcting your mistake. Markel offers a wide range of limits, so you’re sure to find the level of cover that suits.
-
What's the difference between professional indemnity and public liability?
Professional indemnity insurance is a type of cover taken to protect you - and your reputation - against allegations of professional negligence. If you were to make an error or mistake during the course of working for a client, you would be covered for any costs sought.
Public liability insurance is different. It’s used to cover against allegations of injury or illness caused to third parties by your negligence, including slips, trips and falls that are associated with personal injury claims. In addition, public liability insurance covers against damage to third party property such as a client-owned laptop or smartphone.
It's important to consider arranging both types so you’re properly protected.
-
Why should I insure with Markel?
Established over 25 years ago, Markel have a comprehensive understanding of the liabilities and risks network engineers face on a daily basis. The specialist policies available are designed to protect you and offer consideration to your personal and professional needs.
We are a division of Markel International, a Lloyd’s and London market insurer that wrote gross premium totals of $1.2 billion in 2018.
To become a policyholder, call us on 0800 640 6600 now or get an online quote in just 90 seconds.
-
How are Markel Direct regulated?
Markel Direct is a trading name of Markel International Insurance Company Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Find out more on the Financial Services Register.
We are a division of Markel International, a Lloyd’s of London market insurer that wrote gross premium totals of £2.4bn in 2023
Can't find the answer you are looking for? - Contact our experts
Access specialist business services as part of your policy cover.
As a specialist insurer of accountants and bookkeepers, we provide a range of useful services for you to access, included as standard with certain covers.
What is included:
Relevant News and Insights
Existing customer?
Whether you need to renew a policy, or modify an existing policy, or simply have a question, contact us.