Public liability insurance: £5 million

BECTU has increased to £5 million the public liability insurance cover (PLI) available to freelance members.

With effect from 1 May 2008 freelance members in need of PLI have been provided with £5 million worth of cover, up from £3 million last year to reflect new employer requirements.

The union’s PLI provision remains a key member benefit for freelances.

Established BECTU members with PLI cover pay an annual top-up on their basic membership fee in line with any increase in the cost of the group policy. From May 2008 to April 2009 this top-up is just £23 to secure continued cover, and at the substantially increased level.

Commenting on this updated benefit Martin Spence, Assistant General Secretary said: “The PLI cover available through BECTU is a fantastic deal. More and more freelances find that employers want them to have their own PLI as a condition of employment. But for union members, all it takes is a small addition to the basic subscription.

“Thanks to the group policy purchased by BECTU new freelance members can also access the cover up to the April following their joining date for the price of their member subscription alone.

“New freelance members who join this month can take advantage of a year’s PLI cover for free. This represents unbeatable value for money for new joiners.”

Public liability insurance provides cover to individuals where they cause an accident whilst working which results in an injury to someone, or damage to that person’s property.

New freelance members can join BECTU online.

Queries relating to PLI should be directed by email to the union’s membership department or telephone BECTU’s Head Office.