Working from home?

Working from home has become a normal part of working life for many people. Whether you work from home full-time, split your time between home and the office, or occasionally work remotely, the same practicalities apply to help keep you and your business protected.

When it comes to home insurance, some policies can restrict or exclude cover if your home is being used for business purposes. Similarly, your portable electronic equipment (such as laptops, phones and tablets) can be subject to policy limits. Another consideration is your car: does your car insurance policy include cover for business travel, or is it limited to ‘social, domestic and pleasure’ use? All these need to be checked, reviewed and addressed to make sure you have the right cover should the worst happen. If you don’t, you could invalidate your insurance and any claim may be rejected.

Then there’s safety to bear in mind. You might not be working in a traditional office, but you still need to make sure your workstation is set up correctly to help prevent eye, back and wrist strain. If you are employed and regularly use display screen equipment, your employer may carry out a Display Screen Equipment (DSE) workstation assessment.

Safety also encompasses that of your data: ensuring your client information is kept secure is essential – it is the lifeblood of your business after all. Making sure you have good security procedures in place is incredibly important and doesn’t have to cost the earth. The National Cyber Security Centre has some useful, free, guidance; it’s not just about strong passwords.

Duncan Sutcliffe, director, Mann Broadbent, added: “The phrase ‘risk management’ can sound scary and intimidating, especially considering why many people are now working from home, but having a few things checked such as your cyber security and your insurance will save a lot of additional headaches in the future.”

10 top tips for working from home

1. Check your home insurance cover for ‘administration duties’ or items used for ‘business or professional services’. If you’re unsure, speak to your broker or insurer.
2. Check your contents cover includes accidental damage for portable computer equipment, particularly if you regularly take it away from home.
3. If clients, customers or colleagues visit your home for business purposes, check whether your home insurance includes public liability cover.
4. Make sure your car insurance includes business use if you travel for work.
5. Keep your firewalls, passwords and general cyber hygiene up to date to help protect your data.
6. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) if your employer or business provides one, as it encrypts your internet traffic and helps protect sensitive information.
7. If you store product samples or business stock at home, check whether they are covered under your own or your employer’s insurance.
8. If you use or store hazardous materials, make sure they are stored safely and that your insurer is aware if required.
9. If you are employed, check that any equipment provided by your employer is appropriately insured.
10. Stay cyber-aware. Be cautious of phishing emails, cloned websites and payment fraud. Always verify changes to bank details by calling a trusted number rather than relying on information contained in an email.

If you’re unsure what insurance you need to protect yourself and your business while working from home, give our team a call on 01905 612336 or contact us for advice