Hello,
I just registered but I have a problem I need some help with straight away!
I know the usual forum kudos is intros etc etc etc but I can tell you what I can....
I set up my own Ltd company last 2 weeks for going as a contractor in the Offshore Engineering sector. I have always been staff before. Everything is set-up but my new client(?) requires specific insurance regarding repatriation.
I live in the UK -the offer is to work from an office in Paris "day rate", with some work back in the UK, and elsewhere about the world. I agreed I would work in France for 4 weeks, then I stipulated one week "off-time" back at my home in the UK as I am not in a position to relocate (hence the contracting offer).
I have everything sorted apart from business travel insurance. It seems I can get it no problem if I only travel between the UK and France (return home between 31 and 60 days -OK). It seems I can get it if I need to travel within the world after I get to France -or anywhere inbetween (OK). But I'm only covered for office work. As I am a professional engineer offering technical / consultancy / project engineering work there is a requirement to visit industrial worksites, particularly construction shops and test houses, though there is no manual labour involved -I am not covered (for example) the minute I cross afactory front door, or put a hard hat on!
I believe I would be covered for my own "repatriation" if injured in France -but what if I was hurt in a facory elsewhere? I doubt my insurers will accept me being dumped in a Paris hospital and being asked to go from there, when the accident happened elsewhere.
I have spoken to 20+ insurance companies so far. Some I haven't contacted as they require 2+ employees (and it's just me), some their terms are up front and not suitable before the recorded message even connects the phone call. I tried Zurich today on my lunch break (the only time I have to talk on the phone during business hours) only to be told they won't discuss "new business" at lunch times and call back after 3pm!!! First chance I had today was 5pm after closing time.
I have worked abroad before -ironically being pretty much the only staff person on the project team. Unfortinately I was ill abroad and the employer never paid out 100% even though I should have been fully covered -just one reason to leave staff employement after 9 years! There is no way I'm going through that again as my own employer this time.
I really don't know what to do as I thought this was sorted before but I am poptentially running close to losing the work to be honest. If that happens I'll have to fold my newly founded company straight away as it's meaningless.
The problem seems to be my "base" won't be in the UK from the start. And, as I am currently employed I cannot make personal calls business hours, sorting this out is a nightmare.
Can anyone offer some advice?
Thanks
I just registered but I have a problem I need some help with straight away!
I know the usual forum kudos is intros etc etc etc but I can tell you what I can....
I set up my own Ltd company last 2 weeks for going as a contractor in the Offshore Engineering sector. I have always been staff before. Everything is set-up but my new client(?) requires specific insurance regarding repatriation.
I live in the UK -the offer is to work from an office in Paris "day rate", with some work back in the UK, and elsewhere about the world. I agreed I would work in France for 4 weeks, then I stipulated one week "off-time" back at my home in the UK as I am not in a position to relocate (hence the contracting offer).
I have everything sorted apart from business travel insurance. It seems I can get it no problem if I only travel between the UK and France (return home between 31 and 60 days -OK). It seems I can get it if I need to travel within the world after I get to France -or anywhere inbetween (OK). But I'm only covered for office work. As I am a professional engineer offering technical / consultancy / project engineering work there is a requirement to visit industrial worksites, particularly construction shops and test houses, though there is no manual labour involved -I am not covered (for example) the minute I cross afactory front door, or put a hard hat on!
I believe I would be covered for my own "repatriation" if injured in France -but what if I was hurt in a facory elsewhere? I doubt my insurers will accept me being dumped in a Paris hospital and being asked to go from there, when the accident happened elsewhere.
I have spoken to 20+ insurance companies so far. Some I haven't contacted as they require 2+ employees (and it's just me), some their terms are up front and not suitable before the recorded message even connects the phone call. I tried Zurich today on my lunch break (the only time I have to talk on the phone during business hours) only to be told they won't discuss "new business" at lunch times and call back after 3pm!!! First chance I had today was 5pm after closing time.
I have worked abroad before -ironically being pretty much the only staff person on the project team. Unfortinately I was ill abroad and the employer never paid out 100% even though I should have been fully covered -just one reason to leave staff employement after 9 years! There is no way I'm going through that again as my own employer this time.
I really don't know what to do as I thought this was sorted before but I am poptentially running close to losing the work to be honest. If that happens I'll have to fold my newly founded company straight away as it's meaningless.
The problem seems to be my "base" won't be in the UK from the start. And, as I am currently employed I cannot make personal calls business hours, sorting this out is a nightmare.
Can anyone offer some advice?
Thanks
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