Open Forum

Good morning,

Can anyone recommend a insurance company who offers general liability and E & O insurance coverage for museum consultants? I'm starting out on my own and so far the companies I've approached won't cover the full range of the services I offer. They are shying away from exhibit and collections activities.

I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction.

Thanks for your help!


------------------------------
Sherri Starkey
Independent Museum Professional
Phoenix, Arizona
------------------------------

Hi Sherri,

I'm an independent consultant working primarily in artifact mountmaking. I've been with Hartford for years and they were about the only ones who would cover my line of work. So far I don't have any complaints.

Best,
Suzanne

------------------------------
Suzanne McGarraugh
Exhibit Design Specialist
Mountmaking & Installation
San Antonio, TX
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-25-2019 03:52 PM
From: Sherri Starkey
Subject: insurance for museum consultants

Good morning,

Can anyone recommend a insurance company who offers general liability and E & O insurance coverage for museum consultants? I'm starting out on my own and so far the companies I've approached won't cover the full range of the services I offer. They are shying away from exhibit and collections activities.

I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction.

Thanks for your help!


------------------------------
Sherri Starkey
Independent Museum Professional
Phoenix, Arizona
------------------------------

Original Message------

Hi Sherri,

I'm an independent consultant working primarily in artifact mountmaking. I've been with Hartford for years and they were about the only ones who would cover my line of work. So far I don't have any complaints.

Best,
Suzanne

------------------------------
Suzanne McGarraugh
Exhibit Design Specialist
Mountmaking & Installation
San Antonio, TX
------------------------------

Hi Sherri,

Yes! It’s hard to find but Hiscox will provide E&O and all types of insurance. I’m on the road now so if you can’t find it online, feel free to email me on Friday and I’ll look it up for you. I don’t know if you can get it directly yourself, I got it through my Farmers Insurance agent.

Good luck!
-Barbara

Sent from my iPhone


Original Message------

Good morning,

Can anyone recommend a insurance company who offers general liability and E & O insurance coverage for museum consultants? I'm starting out on my own and so far the companies I've approached won't cover the full range of the services I offer. They are shying away from exhibit and collections activities.

I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction.

Thanks for your help!


------------------------------
Sherri Starkey
Independent Museum Professional
Phoenix, Arizona
------------------------------

Original Message------

Good morning,

Can anyone recommend a insurance company who offers general liability and E & O insurance coverage for museum consultants? I'm starting out on my own and so far the companies I've approached won't cover the full range of the services I offer. They are shying away from exhibit and collections activities.

I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction.

Thanks for your help!


------------------------------
Sherri Starkey
Independent Museum Professional
Phoenix, Arizona
------------------------------

Hi Sherri-
I'm also independent, and this is something that has recently come up for me as well. I looked at Hiscox and also checked with my auto insurance company to see if they offered commercial liability coverage. They do but actually partner with Hiscox. Hiscox has a variety of policies, including general liability and professional liability, depending on your/your potential clients needs and requirements.

Julie


------------------------------
Julie Govert
Exhibit Developer
MN
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-25-2019 03:52 PM
From: Sherri Starkey
Subject: insurance for museum consultants

Good morning,

Can anyone recommend a insurance company who offers general liability and E & O insurance coverage for museum consultants? I'm starting out on my own and so far the companies I've approached won't cover the full range of the services I offer. They are shying away from exhibit and collections activities.

I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction.

Thanks for your help!


------------------------------
Sherri Starkey
Independent Museum Professional
Phoenix, Arizona
------------------------------

I'd add an additional recommendation for Hiscox. I have General Liability through them and have never had a claim, but signing up is painless and my personal insurance company now links to them for small business insurance, which is reassuring.

I've never gotten errors and omissions insurance, even when future clients have asked for it as part of their standard contractual terms. This is due in part because there is no standard category for "museum consultants specializing in long-term master planning" and in part because when I have looked into the cost for it, the quotes have been very expensive--likely because there is no standard category for my work, so no standard risk profile, and so the highest rates. I you can fit into a standard category ("management consultant"?), it might be easier.

I've also never felt E&O was necessary for the types of projects I do and I've never had a client insist that I have it after explaining the nature of the work I will do for them. 

As others have noted, though, your circumstances may differ.

Good luck!

Guy

------------------------------
Guy Hermann
Museum Insights
Master Planning for Museums
http://www.museuminsights.com
guy@museuminsights.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-27-2019 09:14 AM
From: Julie Govert
Subject: insurance for museum consultants

Hi Sherri-
I'm also independent, and this is something that has recently come up for me as well. I looked at Hiscox and also checked with my auto insurance company to see if they offered commercial liability coverage. They do but actually partner with Hiscox. Hiscox has a variety of policies, including general liability and professional liability, depending on your/your potential clients needs and requirements.

Julie


------------------------------
Julie Govert
Exhibit Developer
MN

Original Message:
Sent: 06-25-2019 03:52 PM
From: Sherri Starkey
Subject: insurance for museum consultants

Good morning,

Can anyone recommend a insurance company who offers general liability and E & O insurance coverage for museum consultants? I'm starting out on my own and so far the companies I've approached won't cover the full range of the services I offer. They are shying away from exhibit and collections activities.

I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction.

Thanks for your help!


------------------------------
Sherri Starkey
Independent Museum Professional
Phoenix, Arizona
------------------------------

Original Message------

I'd add an additional recommendation for Hiscox. I have General Liability through them and have never had a claim, but signing up is painless and my personal insurance company now links to them for small business insurance, which is reassuring.

I've never gotten errors and omissions insurance, even when future clients have asked for it as part of their standard contractual terms. This is due in part because there is no standard category for "museum consultants specializing in long-term master planning" and in part because when I have looked into the cost for it, the quotes have been very expensive--likely because there is no standard category for my work, so no standard risk profile, and so the highest rates. I you can fit into a standard category ("management consultant"?), it might be easier.

I've also never felt E&O was necessary for the types of projects I do and I've never had a client insist that I have it after explaining the nature of the work I will do for them. 

As others have noted, though, your circumstances may differ.

Good luck!

Guy

------------------------------
Guy Hermann
Museum Insights
Master Planning for Museums
http://www.museuminsights.com
guy@museuminsights.com
------------------------------

Original Message------

There seems to be convergence among us that Hiscox offers policies for E&O coverage.  As others have stated, the premium varies based on the type of insurance you need.  Since I write contracts, among other things, I'm clear in the contracts with my clients that I am not an attorney and am not providing legal advice but figured I'd do well to have E&O coverage in case anybody saw fit to sue me (thankfully, no one has!).

I'll share what my premium is in case just to give you some perspective: I've got $1,000,000 in Professional Liability/E&O insurance and the premium is $475 yearly.

As others have stated, you may or may not need insurance depending upon your circumstances and your clients' requirements.  If they do require you have insurance, they may also require you to add them as an Additional Insured.  I've had to do that any number of times over the years and Hiscox has never charged a fee for this, even to have multiple Additional Insureds for several clients simultaneously.

Don't be too overwhelmed, I know it seems like a lot of information to take in.  A number of us have offered to have you contact us directly if you have any questions so take us up on it if you need to.

Cheers,

Barbara

When in Doubt...Punt!

Hi Sherry - I was asked to provide E&O insurance by a recent client. Since my work does not involve building, construction or architecture, but only design, I pushed back on needing this level of coverage. The client agreed. Turns out E&O was part of their standard request, but agreed they would not require it. General liability is of course easier to find on its own. (I also use Hiscox, for GL). Not sure if this helps, but good luck! And, congrats on going independent! -Stefanie

------------------------------
Stefanie Mabadi
Dig In - UX
Chicago IL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-25-2019 03:52 PM
From: Sherri Starkey
Subject: insurance for museum consultants

Good morning,

Can anyone recommend a insurance company who offers general liability and E & O insurance coverage for museum consultants? I'm starting out on my own and so far the companies I've approached won't cover the full range of the services I offer. They are shying away from exhibit and collections activities.

I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction.

Thanks for your help!


------------------------------
Sherri Starkey
Independent Museum Professional
Phoenix, Arizona
------------------------------

Thanks everyone for your advice. My third call to Hiscox was the charm and I managed to get what I needed.  I found a rep who was willing to spend the time to research their categories, talk to a manager, and find a way to make it happen. For anyone else who might be looking, they used their Strategic Consultant category because of the combination of hands on collections, exhibit work, and consulting. Very reasonably priced, too. Thanks again for your help!

------------------------------
Sherri Starkey
Independent Museum Professional
Phoenix, Arizona
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-25-2019 03:52 PM
From: Sherri Starkey
Subject: insurance for museum consultants

Good morning,

Can anyone recommend a insurance company who offers general liability and E & O insurance coverage for museum consultants? I'm starting out on my own and so far the companies I've approached won't cover the full range of the services I offer. They are shying away from exhibit and collections activities.

I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction.

Thanks for your help!


------------------------------
Sherri Starkey
Independent Museum Professional
Phoenix, Arizona
------------------------------