🚀 go-pugleaf

richb@kronos.com (Rich Braun) writes:

>dmostrom@auratek.UUCP (Douglas E. Mostrom) writes:
>>I would expect that these people
>>would be insured, so that if they, say, fell through my ceiling and broke
>>their leg, they a) would pay their own hospital bills, and b) would fix
>>the hole they created.  (Is this a reasonable expectation?)

>I don't know the answer to the above, but in this litigious society, I
>would start with the opposite assumption.

Best policy.

>But, if you own a house, you probably already have sufficient liability
>insurance to cover the value of the house.  This a typical requirement
>of mortgage lenders.  Liability insurance is bundled with fire/theft
>insurance (at least, it was when I was a homeowner).

Some homeowners policies may exclude liability for workers in your home.
I strongly recommend that you a) check your policy, and b) investigate
umbrella liability policies, which offer $1M or $2M coverage for just
about anything.  Such coverage is intended to supplement what you already
have on home and auto policies.  Umbrella policies are inexpensive because 
it is still rare for someone to be sued above the limits of home and auto 
policies.  And if you are having major work done, check that there are no
exclusions on your umbrella.  If you're unlucky enough to have asbestos
in your home, or any other known source of liability suits, it may be
excluded.

Having said that, a reputable contractor carries workmans comp, because
there are many accidents that might happen which are outside your liability.

>Ask.  USENET isn't really authoritative on matters like these.  Only
>an attorney or your insurance broker can give you reliable advice.

Don't completely trust your broker.  Some are happy to sell you coverage
you don't need.

-rich
-- 
             Richard H. Schwartz, Scheduling Systems Inc.,
            1000 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA  02138
                  (617) 864 8330; FAX (617) 864 8377
                          rhs@world.std.com