Contractor Insurance FAQ's

What is covered under my policy?

This is dependent upon the policy that you have purchased.  Details of what is covered can be found in the policy wordings located at the bottom of the ‘More Info’ area online. Failing that, you can call the sales team on 0116 2690999, who will happily discuss the scope of cover with you.

Do I need insurance for my business?

There is an Employers Liability Compulsory Insurance Act, which requires any small business that employs anyone other than a sole director to carry Employers Liability insurance at a minimum of £5 million. If you have a contract with an agency or end client, you may be required to carry certain insurance policies contractually. Aside from these circumstances there is no other need to carry the policies. 

I only have a certificate for Employers Liability Insurance. Why have I not been issued a certificate for my other insurance purchases?

An Employers Liability Insurance Certificate is issued as per the guidelines of the Employers Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act.  This is the only policy where it is a legal requirement for a certificate to be produced. A policy schedule, however, is more than adequate proof of cover and should appease any client or agency.

I consider myself IR35 compliant, why do I need insurance to cover investigation?

Unfortunately there are no guarantees in determining IR35 status; where someone may interpret a set of working practices to be IR35 compliant, another may look upon the same scenario to be at risk of being caught by IR35. Therefore we would always recommend insurance is taking out as a precautionary measure.

Does TLC35 cover me, or my Limited Company?

The TLC35 policy covers the limited company.

I don’t fit under any of the trades online, does this mean you will not be able to provide me with insurance?

Not necessarily, we can provide cover on a bespoke basis for many different trades but we would always recommend that you seek assistance in defining your trade classification before assuming you cannot be covered through our online system. This is done by sending in a brief job description to the team at freelancer@qdoscontractor.com or by calling 0116 2690999 to discuss.

I have submitted a contract for a review. When will I receive a response?

Unless you have purchased a 24hr turnaround on the review, you can expect to receive a response within 5 working days.

Can I Pay Monthly?

Yes, we do offer a monthly payment service; this will require setting up a direct debit. There is a £12 administration fee applicable to the initial instalment. Please note: the monthly instalment option is not available for the FO35 policy, Qdos Travel Insurance or any of our contract review services.

Who underwrites my insurance policy?

The underwriter differs depending on the policy in question. This information can be found by referring to the policy wording, the policy wording is found within the products ‘more info’ area online. Alternatively, contact the Qdos sales team on 0116 2690999.

What is the difference between the IR35 Contract Assessment Bundle and the Full IR35 Contract Review?

Both the Full Review and the Contract Assessment will detail a list of any amendments required to make the contract IR35 compliant. The difference lies in that the full review provides a comprehensive clause-by-clause view of the contract, detailing each clauses individual IR35 compliancy, whereas the assessment is a view of the contract as a whole.

What is the difference between your Tax Liability Cover (TLC35) and Freelancer Tax Protection (FTP)?

Both policies will provide the defence and representation costs incurred in respect of; IR35 disputes, VAT/PAYE/NIC Disputes, HMRC aspect/full Enquiries or a Section 660A Dispute.

The Tax Liability Cover goes a step further and also covers the costs of any tax, NI, interest and penalties (limited to the amount of indemnity you have on your policy) if you are found to be caught by IR35. 

How do I take advantage of the free assessment I get as part of my insurance policy?

Please forward a copy of your contract to contracts@qdoscontractor.com or upload it via your online account. 

My work involves travelling abroad; will my Professional Indemnity and/or Employers/Public Liability Insurance cover me?

Your policy schedule and/or policy wording will usually define the geographical and jurisdictional limits of the policy.  However, if you are in any doubt, please contact the sales team on 0116 2690999 or freelancer@qdoscontractor.com.

I have received a letter from HMRC, what should I do?

Please contact us upon receipt of any letter from HMRC. If you have tax insurance i.e. Tax Liability Cover, FO35 or Freelancer Tax Protection with Qdos, you may be required to make a claim against your policy immediately. If you do not have insurance with us, we will still be able to assist with your enquiry.

Do I have the option of taking insurance for less than 12 months i.e. a 3 month policy?

With the exception of Contractor Sickness Cover, which is a rolling monthly policy renewed annually, we are only able to issue annual policies.