You might be like the thousands of other business owners who don’t think you’ll need insurance because it’s unlikely anything bad will happen… but let me share with you in a minute what happened to me and oh boy was I glad I had cover.

First off let’s answer the question as to whether Virtual Assistants ‘legally’ need insurance and the answer may surprise you.

No, it’s not a legal requirement to have insurance as a Virtual Assistant. But you definitely should have it.

We’re dealing with personal data, bank and credit card details, passwords and endless other information that – if lost – could potentially cause harm to a client’s business, security and / or finances.

Some of you also post on social media on the client’s behalf, interact with their clients via email or DM, so we have the client’s business reputation constantly in our hands too.

Despite our best intentions things can happen / go wrong beyond our control and that’s when we need to call on our insurers to help us through sticky or stressful situations.

Here are a few examples of instances where VAs have found themselves needing help through their insurance. Guess who the first one happened to?

• got accused of withholding files and folders
• posted a profanity from a client’s LinkedIn account instead of their own
• deleted their client’s whole mailing list – permanently!
• sent an email to hundreds of people without using BCC

You might think it’s unlikely to happen to you but the first one was my client accusing me! The client was a knob and had no idea about technology and thought that because the ‘author’ of the files and folders had my name next to them that I was withholding them. She just wouldn’t understand and threatened to sue me so, I called on my insurers to ‘have a word’ and it got sorted.

What type of insurance do I need as a Virtual Assistant?

When you first have a look at what insurance you need there will be a few options, so I am going to explain what they are as best I can.

Professional Indemnity Insurance

This is the least you need as it protects you against mistakes or, in the case of the VA deleting her client’s mailing list – negligence!

Professional indemnity will protect you against being sued and the associated legal costs involved in any claim. Having someone on your side also takes a lot of the stress away from you.

Things can and do go wrong despite our best intentions so please don’t risk not having insurance.

Cyber Insurance

What is cyber insurance and do you need it as a Virtual Assistant? I get asked that question a LOT and although I can’t make that decision for you I can briefly explain why you might want it.

Cyber insurance helps you deal with the aftermath of any cyber attack. These include if you’re hit with malware, ransomware, or are a victim of financial fraud.

While cyber insurance doesn’t stop an attack happening it can cover any legal help you might need, costs involved with getting your business back up and running, advising clients, reporting to the ICO and everything else you might need.

Speak to an insurer for a complete understanding of cyber insurance and make the decision as to whether you want to include it and have a read of this from my insurers.

Public Liability Insurance

Hardly any Virtual Assistants need this cover. I don’t have it because I never visit clients or have anyone visit me. I am completely virtual.

But, if you do visit a client’s office or home there’s a small chance you might break or damage something but it’s better to be covered.

Not having this cover is a great way to say to those who want you to visit ‘sorry, my insurance doesn’t cover me for that’. They’ll soon realise whatever it was they wanted to do in person can be done on email.

What insurance company should I use?

Well, the one insurance company I use and recommend for UK based Virtual Assistants is Policy Bee. Premiums start from as little as £9.50 a month depending on what cover you select. If you mention my name – Catherine Gladwyn – or use this link you’ll get up to 10% off

Needing your insurance is incredibly rare

It’s incredibly rare that you’ll need to call on your insurance and your cover will hopefully be a waste of money. But IF something goes wrong you’ll be glad you’ve got support.

Clients usually simply accept that an error has occurred, they’re human just like us. As long as we own the mistake and rectify it as best we can you’ll hear no more.

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Please note that I in no way an expert in this and you should always seek advice from a reputable insurer. Not some random person on Facebook, a reputable insurer!