Premiums, rates and limits of cover

Premiums and Rates

Members pay premiums based upon the type of work they undertake, their fee income and their limit of cover. A Member’s claims history is not taken into account.

Each year, when renewing their cover, Members declare to Bar Mutual the total gross fee income they received from each of the areas of practice set out in the Renewal Form during the preceding calendar year. Rates reflecting the risk presented by each area of practice are applied to fee income earned from each such area. The rates are determined annually by the Board of Directors on advice from the Managers and reflect the claims experience and overall cost to Bar Mutual of each area of practice.

Limits

The minimum limit of cover is £500,000 plus defence costs, each and every claim. The maximum limit of cover is £2,500,000 plus defence costs, each and every claim.

Each Member’s basic limit of cover is determined by the amount of premium payable.  Members may opt to purchase higher limits of cover.  There is no option to purchase lower limits of cover than those determined through the application of Bar Mutual’s rating schedule.

Cover for more than £2,500,000 can be bought on the commercial market. Visit www.barristersindemnity.co.uk for more information.

If a claim is settled or results in a damages award, no deductible or excess is applied. A deductible of £350 is, however, payable by Members in the event of:

• A finding of professional misconduct; or
• A successful application (or threatened application) for Wasted Costs.