Asbestos inspectors given new insurance protections

Asbestos inspectors will receive previously unavailable protection under a professional indemnity insurance scheme launched by specialist business critical insurer Howden. The policy, which is backed by a panel of leading insurers, has been developed to support the first and only register of UKAS-accredited individual asbestos inspectors, known as the national individual asbestos certification scheme (NIACS). NIACS, a joint venture between the Asbestos Removal Contractors Association (ARCA) and the RICS, was established to provide a regulated solution to the demand for asbestos inspections following the implementation of regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations in May 2005. Thr policy provides bespoke cover that includes bodily injury, consequential loss and diminution in the value of buildings.   Executive director Kevin Culliney said: “The recent accreditation of the programme by UKAS has instilled further confidence in them, which has allowed us to create a scheme to support NIACS members and offer them the broadest possible cover available in the marketplace.” He urged asbestos inspectors or advisers to review their present cover to ensure that they are sufficiently protected.  Martin Russell-Croucher, the director of NIACS, added: “We would encourage anyone involved in asbestos inspections to become a member of NIACS so that they not only gain a qualification that will provide quality assurance to their own customers, but access the only professional indemnity policy that truly covers them.” References: EGi Legal News 12/06/06