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Professional Indemnity Insurance for Consultants: When Hutch Miscellaneous Combined Liability May Fit

Written by Kim Beavis | 28/04/2026 6:32:09 AM

A small consulting client wins a new contract on Friday afternoon.

Work starts Monday.

Their broker now needs Professional Indemnity insurance quickly, clearly, and without unnecessary friction.

There is only one problem. The client is not an accountant. Not an IT firm. Not a real estate agency. Not an architect.

They are a growing professional services business that sits somewhere in between.

That is where Hutch’s Miscellaneous Combined Liability solution may fit.

What is Hutch Miscellaneous Combined Liability?

Hutch’s Miscellaneous offering is designed for eligible professional services businesses that do not fall into a dedicated occupation-specific category.

It combines key business liability protections into one solution, including:

  • Professional Indemnity
  • Public Liability

This can create a practical pathway for brokers placing SME professional services businesses that need efficient access and clear underwriting pathways.

Who may suit Hutch Miscellaneous?

Every business is assessed on its actual activities, not just the title used on a proposal.

Examples of businesses that may be considered include eligible:

  • Management consultants
  • Marketing consultants
  • Graphic designers
  • Recruitment consultants
  • Trainers
  • Project managers
  • Business advisers
  • Administration support businesses

A “consultant” can mean very different risks depending on the services provided, so accurate occupation selection matters.

Why brokers often need a Miscellaneous option

Many SME clients know they need Professional Indemnity cover, but do not fit neatly into specialist categories.

That can slow down submissions or create uncertainty about placement.

Hutch’s Miscellaneous pathway helps brokers place eligible businesses that sit outside dedicated wordings, while still accessing digital quote pathways.

Nil excess for eligible smaller risks

For eligible Miscellaneous risks with revenue up to $500k, Hutch may offer nil excess, subject to underwriting criteria, limits, terms, conditions and exclusions.

That means qualifying clients may have no policy excess payable if an eligible claim occurs.

For smaller businesses, this can be a meaningful conversation point when balancing cover needs and budget.

What if the client is larger?

Nil excess criteria and broader underwriting appetite are different things.

A business may sit outside nil excess settings but still be considered for cover.

Hutch’s broader Miscellaneous appetite can consider eligible professional services businesses with revenue up to $10M, subject to underwriting criteria.

So brokers should not assume larger consulting businesses are outside appetite simply because nil excess does not apply.

Why standardised occupation descriptions matter

Recent enhancements also introduced standardised occupation descriptions for Miscellaneous risks.

That may sound simple, but it can improve the quoting process by helping create:

  • clearer occupation selection
  • more consistent submissions
  • better fit identification
  • less back and forth
  • smoother quoting journeys

When clients need cover quickly, small workflow improvements matter.

Fast access through broker platforms

Hutch products are built for broker workflows, with access available digitally via:

  • Ebix Sunrise Exchange (HUTPI)
  • SCTP Auto

That means brokers can test fit, quote faster and move quickly when time matters.

Frequently asked questions

Is this only for consultants?

No. It may suit a range of eligible professional services businesses depending on activities and underwriting appetite.

Does nil excess apply to every risk?

No. Nil excess is available only for eligible risks that meet criteria, like revenue under $500k.

Is Public Liability included?

Yes. Hutch’s Combined Liability wording includes both Professional Indemnity and Public Liability sections, subject to the policy wording and schedule.

Can sole traders be considered?

Depending on occupation and activities, eligible sole trader businesses may be considered.

Quick broker checklist

A client may be worth discussing with Hutch when they:

  1. provide advice or professional services
  2. sit outside specialist PI categories
  3. are an SME professional services business
  4. need fast digital access
  5. may benefit from nil excess if eligible

The clear way to better cover

The challenge is rarely explaining why PI matters.

The challenge is finding the right fit quickly.

When a client does not sit neatly inside a specialist category, Hutch Miscellaneous Combined Liability may provide a clear path forward.

To workshop an occupation or discuss a scenario, contact Hutch or access products through Ebix Sunrise Exchange and SCTP.

This article is general information only and intended for insurance brokers and professional audiences. It does not consider any person’s objectives, financial situation or needs. Eligibility, underwriting criteria, limits, terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Refer to the relevant wording, schedule, and supporting documents before quoting or binding cover.