Information Technology and PI
IT is the backbone of many businesses yet is poorly understood by many. There is often an enormous mismatch between client and professional expectation, probably unique to the IT industry as regards professional indemnity claims.
Moreover, the IT industry ranges across an extremely wide variety of services, from outsourcing through bespoke software, hardware sales, configuration and installation to recruitment and internet services. IT risks used to be treated as ‘Miscellaneous’ but, as the industry has emerged into one of worldwide importance, so the understanding of the legal profession (and thus insurers) has led to a specific focus on IT in its own right.
At MUM, we offer cover on leading edge terms, specifically addressing the issues encountered by IT professionals. MUM can provide cover for IT professionals ranging from individual contractors and small consultancies to large, international companies.
Features of our IT policy that are different to traditional PI include dealing with:
- The issue of product supply, in particular that software itself is a product
- Virus transmission
- The fact that a client will often simply refuse to pay rather than make a claim.
Claims Examples
- The insured designed a customer management software package. It was alleged that the software failed to comply with the agreed functionality. Amount paid: £350,000
- The insured configured an off-the-shelf software package for use by the client, and sold and installed associated hardware. There were serious difficulties following installation, leading to the client refusing to pay the balance outstanding and threatening a claim. Insurers paid the outstanding balance to the insured, avoiding the expense and reputational damage of a legal case. Amount paid: £55,000
- It was alleged that there were substantial deficiencies in the design of a software package, resulting in the system failing to meet the client’s requirements. Amount paid: £450,000.
