Re: Liability Insurance ... Embedded Software
From: Tim Mitchell (timng_at_sabretechnology.co.uk)
Date: 07/13/04
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Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 09:53:10 +0100
In article <8188616d.0407130000.500c731e@posting.google.com>, Mike V.
<valemike@yahoo.com> writes
>I currently am a partner in new company where we repair and return
>electronic controls for customers whose warranty with the OEM has
>expired. It can be as easy as diagnosing a failed relay or IC, and
>replacing it.
>
>Okay, so the insurance is straightforward, and probably cheap. A non
>electrical/software engineer partner of the company got the minimal
>coverage necessary to allow us to operate.
>
>Lately, we are finding that a significant number of customers are now
>asking for special customized firmware. This is where my confusion
>starts.
>
>The types of electronic embedded controls that we service have motor
>controls,specifically motors that can cause INJURY.
>
>1. If I want to rewrite the embedded software (firmware), what kind of
>insurance do I need to get?
>(It is desirable to rewrite the firmware because we know of defects in
>it that cause the parts to fail faster. It is also desirable to
>rewrite the firmware because some customers who seek our services want
>customized operation with their controller).
>
>2. Do I pay significantly more for insurance now that we want to go in
>and change the firmware with our own? On a technical standpoint, it
>seems that there is more risk in changing the OEM's firmware out of
>their micros than simply troubleshooting the electronics and replacing
>a part.
>
>3. I don't know if such a business now requires E&O insurance (errors
>and ommisions?) or product liability insurance.
>
>4. If I simply replace a failed component, is the OEM still
>responsible for the product that is repaired by my company?
>
>I really don't know the terminology of the different kinds of
>insurance. I'm sure many of you in comp.arch.embedded are also small
>business owners (or now, medium sized businesses).
>
You need to talk to an insurance specialist in your part of the world,
wherever that is. They will advise what cover you should consider. Your
local business advice centre, if you have such a thing, will have some
contacts.
We do similar stuff and we have product liability insurance, but the
insurance cost has an enormous price rise if we want cover for
automotive products, so we don't do those.
-- Tim Mitchell
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