With New Zealand’s natural beauty for inspiration, it’s little wonder that the field of landscape architecture is growing.
A profession that involves designing and planning outdoor spaces, such as parks, gardens, and public areas, being a landscape architect means you are responsible for creating aesthetically pleasing and functional outdoor environments.
However, as with any profession, risks are involved, and you might want to consider protecting yourself and your business against potential liabilities.
Given the work involved can often have significant and costly ramifications, it’s essential that landscape architects put safeguards in place to protect their businesses.
One way to do this is through business insurance.
Insurance is essential for any business, and landscape architecture is no exception. Here are some of the ways insurance can protect landscape architects in New Zealand.
- Professional Indemnity insurance
As a landscape architect, you are responsible for ensuring that your designs are safe, functional, and meet your client’s needs.
However, mistakes can happen, and if a client believes that your work has caused them financial loss, they may file a legal claim against you. Professional Indemnity insurance can help protect you and your business against such claims.
It is designed to protect professionals from legal claims made against them for errors or omissions in their work.
A real-life example of Professional Indemnity insurance in action
Take this example of a landscape architect hired by a government agency to supervise and work on a public parks project*.
After the project was developed, a member of the public slipped and injured themselves while in the water play area.
The patron sued the government body, who in turn claimed against the landscape architect.
The Government body claimed that the landscape architect should contribute towards any settlement on the basis that they were negligent in their design.
The injured person sought approximately $200,000 in damages.
Fortunately, the small business had Professional Indemnity insurance. Indemnity was granted, and the insurer appointed lawyers to defend the claim.
Upon review of the claimant’s injuries and their actions contributing to the injury, the cost of the claim was determined to be considerably less – only $7,000.
Without Professional Indemnity insurance, this landscape architect could have been liable for hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages – an amount that could have put them out of business.
With it, they were able to reduce the damages, and they could go on to trade for another day.
- Public Liability insurance
While Professional Indemnity insurance is crucial for landscape architects, many other insurance products can safeguard them from a variety of risks.
One of the most popular insurance types for landscape architects is Public Liability insurance.
Being a landscape architect means you may be responsible for designing and supervising the construction of outdoor spaces.
If someone is injured or their property is damaged while visiting a site you designed, they may file a claim against you. Public Liability insurance can help protect you and your business against such claims.
Public Liability insurance covers you if a third-party claim that your negligent business activities caused them injury or property damage or personal injury (not covered by the ACC). This includes defence costs cover.
- Cyber Liability insurance
Your plans and designs are valuable intellectual property. They make you stand out among the rest. It may seem unpleasant, but what would you do if a competitor or a cybercriminal stole your designs?
Storing client and personal information online puts you at immediate risk of cyber-attacks and data breaches.
Cyber Liability Insurance will strengthen your cyber-sphere. It provides protection against extortion, fines, penalties and investigation costs.
How do I buy landscape architect insurance?
Landscape architects are often incredibly busy people with a lot on their plate. Fortunately, BizCover has made it easier than ever before to find, compare and buy insurance.
In just minutes, you can compare multiple quotes from selected leading New Zealand insurers across a whole range of insurance for landscape architects.
There are no difficult forms to fill in, and you can buy a policy whenever it fits your schedule, day or night. You’ll even receive your policy documents instantly, so you can return to work.
Mistakes happen to the best of us. But there’s no excuse for not getting protected from the consequences.
Jump online today at www.bizcover.co.nz and get your landscape architect insurance sorted.
* The provision of the claims examples are for illustrative purposes only and should not be seen as an indication as to how any potential claim will be assessed or accepted. Coverage for claims on the policy will be determined by the insurer, not BizCover.
This information is general only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. It should not be relied upon as advice. As with any insurance, cover will be subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions contained in the policy wording. © 2023 BizCover Limited
