Insurance, Type, Fees

rlshound,

That is a tough one. There are a couple of questions first.

1. Are you licensed?
2. What type of surveying does your main employer provide?
3. Will you be using your own equipment?
4. Does your employer approve?

These are all questions that need to be answered. I don't have any employees at the moment, but if and when I do, they won't be allowed to moonlight. It can expose the employer to liability issues, especially if they know about it, and allow the use of their equipment.

As far as insurance, I would at least carry E&O insurance. I am solo, and my E&O insurance is based upon annual billing, according to types of work I perform. I also carry commercial auto insurance. If you are using your personal vehicle for work purposes, more often than not, they won't cover a work related accident. General liability insurance is necessary alot of times. What happens if your i-man throws down a cigarette butt and catches a yard on fire, or a spark from the ATV catches a field on fire. It may sound far fetched, but I know of two instances in this area where these two situations happened, to two different surveyors.

If you have a steady job, and are making ends meet, please don't jump out there and try to take work away from other guys that are struggling to keep the doors open. It is pretty tough out there right now.

Just my humble opinion.

As a part timer you may not be able to get E&O insurance.

General Liability is probably going to run you about $500 a year and E & O about six times that. You will need to do quite a few jobs just to get to the break even point.

I've been a 1 man show for going on 5 years now and carry 1m general liability which is typically around $400/yr. and 1m E&O which is typically around $1,250/yr. I also have a 1m umbrella, but I can't remember what this is right now.

Kelly

Morning Jimmy,

Good questions, I'm registered and have some equipment but would have to rent a gps rover, Arizona has a reasonable network supported by the state. We do mostly design survey and am familiar with the moonlighting concept you point out. Thanks for the insight on the different types of insurance....someone dropped a few cans of paint which made it to AZ SR 51, not long afterwards a white pickup truck shows up with pink paint all over it....pretty funny but not really, know what you mean. The economy here has and continues to be probably one of the worst, surveying work is tough.

Thanks Again, rlshound

Thanks Tom

Morning Kelly,

Thanks for the info....who do you have your insurance with?

Morning Dave,

How would you determine "part time"? By time? numbers? Thanks

ISCA out of Thomasville, NC. They will broker a policy for you based on the amount of coverage you need, services to be offered and estimated billings. They have a lot of experience working work surveyors and can recommend what type of coverage you need.

See link: http://www.eoliability.com

Kelly

Thanks Again Kelly

You mentioned "side job". If you have another job you won't be able to get E&O insurance.

Thanks Dave