IT Haftpflicht is professional liability insurance for IT freelancers or IT companies.
It reliably protects you as a freelance IT professional from the financial consequences of professional errors such as missed deadlines, system failures or third party cyber damage. With comprehensive security, you can fully concentrate on your customers.
For whom?
- Programmers
- Database Developers
- Open source developers
- Mobile Application Developers
- Software architects
- Web developers
- SAP developers
- Java developers
- IT consulting
- IT consultants
- SAP consultants
- SEO/SEM consultants
- BI consultants
- CRM consultants
- Data managers
- Project Managers
- IT services
- Providers and service providers
- Sharepoint Specialist
- Web host
- E-commerce and e-banking
- VoIP Expert
- Network and trade
- Manufacturers
- Hardware Dealers
- System administrators
- Software Dealer
- IT specialists
- IT systems electronics engineer
Is professional injury insurance required in the IT sector?
For regulated professions (doctors, lawyers, architects, etc.) occupational injury insurance Professional liability is mandatory in Germany.
This obligation does not apply to the IT sector, however, there is also a risk of serious damage, for example, due to legal violations, missed deadlines or cyber damage. In the event of a claim, you risk your personal property and finances.
In addition, some clients require professional liability insurance prior to awarding a project contract, as a guarantee of protection in the event of unforeseen circumstances. The same applies to project intermediaries who regularly request liability insurance, especially in the IT sector.
Examples of Claims Covered by Insurance
- Software error leads to loss of profit
- Outsourced programmer develops database software to send 12 online mailings. Due to a programming error, mailing lists are sent incorrectly. The company files a damages claim against the programmer for loss of profits of 000 euros.
- Cyber damages from third parties
- An IT company is introducing a tool for online shopping. At the same time, a previously unregistered virus penetrates the customer's network. All internal networks are infected. Until the system cleaning process is completed, work stops. The company files a claim in the amount of 600 euros against the service provider for material damage and lost profits.
- Injury due to loose cable
- It is necessary to install new workplaces in the office of an open type company. You connect hardware and set up your desktop. An employee enters, stumbles over an incorrectly laid wire and is injured. You must pay for the treatment and loss of the victim's earnings.
- Loss of income due to missed deadlines
- You open a new online store for your client. In the contract, the project is designed for 3 months, but due to your fault the project was completed only after 5 months. Your client is demanding compensation.
- Unilateral termination of contract after unsatisfactory results
- After several missed deadlines and numerous improvements, your client is still not satisfied with the service you provided and has the right to withdraw from the contract. They had significant costs for the project, such as the cost of subcontractors. Additional the module protects you from such a scenario.
- Consultation error
- An IT consultant recommends a management software to a power supply company. After the implementation of the program, it turns out that the product is not suitable for managing consumption data. An energy supply company suffers a loss of 73 euros due to the purchase and implementation of new software.
What does the IT-Haftpflichtversicherung cover in the event of a claim?
First of all, it is checked whether the claims of third parties are justified and to what extent the obligation to compensate for damages exists.
If the claims are unfounded, the insurer will provide "passive legal protection", which covers the costs of, for example, legal and court costs or expert examination costs. And even if the claims are justified, the insurer will pay them for you..
A temporary solution is also possible, for example, if the check shows that you are responsible for damages, but less originally requested amount. In this case, the insurer takes over negotiations with the other party.
Additional module "Company, Product and Environmental Damage Insurance"
Betriebs-, Produkt- und Umwelthaftpflichtversicherung / Umweltschadenversicherung
When this additional module is connected, the insurance cover covers property damage or injury to health, acts in the field of public law, contractual liability, and also provides protection against claims of third parties without the fault of the insured person. Such risks are insured as:
Object risk
– Participation in or conduct of business trips,
– organizing and conducting corporate events, seminars or training courses,
– organizing and holding events for your own company,
– participation in trade fairs, exhibitions or events,
– use of land, buildings or premises as an owner, lessee, tenant exclusively for the insured activity. Covered are claims arising from violations of road safety obligations for which the insured is responsible in relation to the above-mentioned items (for example, structural maintenance, lighting, cleaning, sanding and snow removal). Airfields are not insured
– rent, leasing or other transfer of developed and undeveloped land, buildings or premises belonging to the business assets of the insured to third parties in an amount up to a gross annual rent of EUR 250. This covers claims arising from violations of road safety obligations for which the insured is responsible in relation to the above-mentioned items (for example, structural repairs, lighting, cleaning, sanding and clearing of snow from sidewalks). Airfields are not insured
– use of rented or hired cars and trailers subject to registration only for business trips, business trips and business trips domestically and abroad.
– the use of security forces, data protection officers, company doctors or persons responsible for supervising company premises,
– maintenance of medical or social facilities and sports clubs of the company intended exclusively for the insured company,
– activities of the fire brigade of a factory or enterprise,
– damage, destruction or loss of property (but not money, securities, documents, jewelry, valuables) belonging to employees and visitors,
– incorrect installation or loss of someone else’s keys or someone else’s code cards for doors or locking systems, if they are in the legal possession of the insured person (insurance coverage includes the costs of necessary replacement or replacement of locks, locking systems, keys or code cards, as well as temporary measures security),
– damage or destruction of rented buildings and premises (damage to rented property), unless this is an insured environmental risk,
– loading and unloading vehicles and containers,
– activities (for example processing, repair or testing) at third-party facilities,
– damage, destruction or loss of movable property of third parties, provided that the insured person rented, leased or borrowed these items for a period of up to 6 months (loss of custody),
– use, storage of aircraft models and/or flying drones for photo, thermal imaging and video recording for the Company’s purposes. The maximum weight of the model aircraft and/or flying drone, including the camera, must not exceed 5 kg. Regular maintenance of aircraft models and/or flying drones is mandatory, in particular correcting obvious defects.
– operation of photovoltaic and solar thermal systems.
Responsibility for products and services
– production of products,
– trade in goods,
– services such as consultations, technical maintenance.
Environmental damage insurance
Environmental damage is:
– damage to protected species and natural habitats,
– damage to water bodies,
– soil damage,
Environmental damage is damage in which substances, vibrations, noise, pressure, jets, gases, vapors or heat propagate into the ground, air or water at different speeds, even gradually.Insurance protection exists only in respect of environmental damage, which is a direct result of a sudden and accidental disruption of the planned activities of the insured or a third party that occurred during the period of validity of the insurance contract.
Additional blocks IT-Haftpflichtversicherung
Personal damage insurance
Zusatzbaustein fur Eigenschadenversicherungen
This additional block of insurance covers:
- Withdrawal of the client from the contract. The insurance cover is valid in case of justified withdrawal or partial withdrawal from the contract. Material and personnel costs are covered, including fees for the self-employed and freelancers, but not forgone income.
- reputational damage. Coverage covers the necessary costs of an external public relations consultant to prevent, remedy or mitigate impending reputational damage. It is necessary to coordinate the costs in writing with the insurance company.
- Changing or blocking your own site. Protection against unauthorized interference by third parties, which led to changes or blocking of your website.
- Loss of documents. The expenses for the restoration and production of lost documents (including electronic ones) necessary for the execution of the order are covered.
- Domain protection insurance. The insurance cover covers the loss of the domain name or control of the home page due to the fault of a third party.
- Penalties and forfeits. The insurance company will indemnify fines that a data protection authority or court imposes on an insured person for violation of data rights (including data leakage), if they are insured in accordance with applicable law.
- Employee dedication. Protection against intentional financial crimes committed by employees, such as embezzlement of company funds.
- Fraud by third parties. Protection against direct financial losses (for example, additional expenses) as a result of falsification and concealment of documents by third parties for the purpose of illegal enrichment.
- Loss of employees in key positions. Insurance coverage is valid in cases where an unplanned dismissal was made due to the employee's constant misconduct, disability for more than 6 weeks or death.
- Damage caused by co-insured persons.
Cyber damage insurance
Zusatzbaustein fur Cyber- & Dateneigenschadenversicherung
The block provides protection against unauthorized intervention in IT systems, programs and electronic data of the insured person. The expenses are reimbursed for:
- Access, use or disclosure of personal data that is available to the insured person as part of the insured activity.
- Recovery or repair of a website, network, computer systems, programs or electronically stored data.
- Necessary costs to prevent data from being changed or blocked, reduced or restored to its original state.
- All costs that must be incurred to continue operations as a result of the interruption.
D&O directors and executives liability insurance
Zusatzbaustein für D&O Außenhaftungsversicherung
The insurance cover covers claims for compensation for financial losses by a third party as a result of a breach of duty committed while operating in the insured companies. current, appointed or alternate persons:
- Members of executive bodies (e.g. board of directors, management, board of directors),
- Members of supervisory bodies (for example, a supervisory board, an administrative board, an advisory board, or a board of trustees).
How to determine the amount of the sum insured?
The appropriate sum insured for insuring your IT-Haftpflichtversicherung always depends on your personal occupational risk. To choose the right amount, you should consider how expensive it can be most tall expected damage to your business.
Important indicators are size of your client и relevance of the project: If you are responsible for implementing software for an international financial company, the consequences of the damage are likely to be more severe than if you restarted the site of a local butcher.
Your turnover, on the contrary, not is an important indicator: the consequences of a professional mistake are not necessarily related to the amount of your pay.
Therefore, general recommendations on the choice of the sum insured (for example, on the basis of annual turnover) should always be treated with caution. If you are not sure about your choice, we will be happy to help you.
Are there any exceptions to insurance coverage?
As with any insurance contract, the IT-Haftpflichtversicherung also has certain exclusions and limitations of coverage, such as:
- Claims in connection with a deliberate breach of duty, in particular a deliberate deviation from the rules or instructions of the client.
You are not insured if you intentionally, i.e. deliberately, violate contractual agreements (violations due to minor or gross negligence, for example, the rights of third parties, are insured). - Claims for fines, penalties and individually agreed contractual penalties (with the exception of a penalty due to data rights infringement or a contractual penalty due to infringement confidentiality obligations).
- Reimbursement for services not rendered (at the same time, the client's requirement for damages can be insured due to non-performance/poor performance!)
Those. inYou will not receive a refund of your wages or fees if you have not yet fully performed the service agreed with the customer. - Special recall costs.
However, claims by third parties for damages due to a product defect (eg hardware or software) are insured.
How much does IT liability insurance cost?
The annual fee is calculated individually from at least three factors:
- Your turnover (higher turnover means higher premium)
- Your chosen sums insured (the higher the amount, the higher the fee)
- Selected additional modules
For example, a basic tariff without additional modules, with an annual income of 50 euros to 000 euros and an insurance amount of up to 70 euros will cost approximately 290 euros per year.
Leave a request for the selection of IT-Haftpflichtversicherung
Fill out the form and we will select the best offer for you at the IT-Haftpflichtversicherung.
If you have other questions, you can always contact us:
By email: info@finber.de
Telegram: t.me/Finber_support
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