Insights · Toolkit and glossary

Contract-Check Checklist: Tick Off Your Policy

This checklist is for the policy sitting in your drawer: pull it out, and tick your way through it in 30 minutes. Each item is a question – if the answer is “yes,” move on; if it's “no” or “I don't know,” write it down: that becomes your to-do list. We've linked the detailed articles behind each point.

In brief:
  • What you'll need: the policy, the terms and conditions, and the most recent renewal letter.
  • The list has six blocks: activity, limits, deductible, timing, exclusions and extensions, external compliance.
  • “I don't know” is a result too: it means the policy doesn't give a clear answer – and that needs clarifying.

Block 1: Activity

☐ Does the policy's list of insured activities literally include every activity you carry out today?
☐ Have the new services and profile expansions of the past two years been reported? (change-notification article)
☐ Is the revenue figure the contract is based on still roughly accurate today?

Block 2: Limits

☐ Do you know off the top of your head (or can look up in a minute) the per-event and annual limit?
☐ Is the limit sized to today's worst realistic loss – not the one from two years ago? (limit article)
☐ Have you reviewed the sub-limits (property worked on, rented premises, pure financial loss)?

Block 3: Deductible

☐ Do you know both the amount AND the form of the deductible (fixed / percentage / min–max)? (deductible article)
☐ If a claim happened, could the deductible still be paid from reserves without trouble?

Block 4: Timing

☐ Do you know what temporal logic your cover follows (claims-made or otherwise)? (temporal scope article)
☐ For claims-made cover: do you know your retroactive date? (key article)
☐ Do you know what would happen to your cover if you switched insurers or closed the activity down? (run-off cover)

Block 5: Exclusions and extensions

☐ Have you read the exclusions list with your own activity in mind? (exclusions map)
☐ Are the extensions your operations call for (rented premises, property worked on, subcontractors, work abroad) included? (extensions)
☐ If you have employees: is the employer's liability question settled? (employer's liability article)

Block 6: External compliance

☐ Does the policy satisfy the chamber/statutory requirement, where one applies? (when it's mandatory)
☐ Does it meet the insurance clauses in your current client contracts? (client requirements)
☐ Do you have an up-to-date certificate of insurance wherever one is requested? (certificate article)

Scoring: 0–2 items written down: good shape – same again next year (annual-review routine). 3–5 items: targeted adjustments are needed. 6+: worth scheduling a full policy review (policy review) – bring the list to a free consultation, and we'll work through it point by point.

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This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer, insurance advice, or legal advice. Specific terms are set out in the insurers' applicable policy conditions. Liability and compensation questions must be assessed under the applicable laws; for a specific case, we recommend involving a legal professional.

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