Hiring a fire risk assessor is an important decision—after all, they’re advising you on life safety and legal compliance. But beyond checking their qualifications, there’s one crucial question you should also be asking:
“Are they properly insured?”
Just like any professional offering safety-critical advice, a competent fire risk assessor should carry the right insurance cover to protect themselves—and give you peace of mind.
In this article, we’ll explain the key types of insurance a fire risk assessor should have, why they matter, and how to make sure your chosen provider is properly protected.
Why Insurance Matters
A fire risk assessor is there to help identify hazards, assess risks, and recommend safety improvements—but what happens if:
- They miss something critical in the assessment?
- They give incorrect advice that leads to a fire or injury?
- Someone decides to take legal action based on the outcome?
In these cases, insurance helps protect everyone involved—including you, the client.
Working with an uninsured or underinsured assessor puts your business, your property, and potentially your legal position at risk if something goes wrong.
The Three Key Types of Insurance a Fire Risk Assessor Should Have
1. Professional Indemnity Insurance (PI) – Essential
This is the most important insurance for any fire risk assessor.
Professional indemnity covers the assessor in case their advice, recommendations, or documentation are later found to be negligent, inaccurate, or misleading—and that leads to loss, damage, injury, or legal costs.
For example:
If an assessor incorrectly states that your fire alarm system is compliant when it’s not, and a fire occurs with delayed evacuation, this insurance would cover legal claims against them.
✅ Every reputable assessor should have active PI cover—ideally with a minimum limit of £1 million (many have £2–5 million depending on the work and building types involved).
2. Public Liability Insurance – Strongly recommended
This covers injury or damage caused during the site visit itself.
For example:
If the assessor knocks over a display, damages property, or causes someone to trip during their inspection, public liability insurance would cover the cost of claims.
Most assessors working in commercial, public, or residential buildings should carry public liability cover of at least £1 million, with some policies going up to £5 million.
3. Employers’ Liability Insurance – If they have staf
If the assessor works as part of a larger consultancy or employs staff (even part-time or freelance), they’re legally required to hold employers’ liability insurance.
This protects the business in case an employee is injured or becomes ill due to their work—whether on-site or during assessment-related tasks.
Additional Cover: Cyber & Data Protection
More and more assessments are now delivered digitally, and assessors may handle sensitive building plans, personal details of residents or tenants, and compliance records. In these cases, cyber insurance or data protection cover is a smart addition, especially for firms working with large housing providers, local authorities, or care settings.
How to Check an Assessor’s Insurance
When hiring a fire risk assessor—whether for a single shop, a block of flats, or a full commercial building—you’re within your rights to ask for:
✅ A copy of their insurance certificates
✅ Confirmation of coverage amounts and expiry dates
✅ The name of their insurer or broker
✅ Any exclusions or limitations in the policy
At ESI: Electrical Safety Inspections, we make this easy. Our team carries:
- Professional Indemnity Insurance
- Public Liability Insurance
- Employers’ Liability Insurance
- All documentation available upon request
We believe transparency builds trust—and we’re proud to be fully insured and qualified to carry out fire risk assessments across Farnborough, Camberley, Reading, Guildford, and the surrounding areas.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to fire safety, there’s no room for shortcuts—and that includes checking your assessor’s insurance.
So if you’re comparing quotes or providers, don’t just look at the price. Ask:
- Are they qualified?
- Are they experienced?
- And—just as importantly—are they properly insured?
Need a qualified, insured, and trusted fire risk assessor?
📞 Get in touch with ESI today. We provide clear, compliant, and fully insured fire risk assessments for landlords, businesses, and managing agents across Hampshire, Surrey, and Berkshire.
