Robot Rental Insurance and Liability Guide for Ireland

Robots operating in your business create new insurance considerations. This guide explains coverage, liability, and how to protect your business.

Key Insurance Questions:

1. What happens if the robot damages property?
2. What if the robot injures someone?
3. What if the robot is damaged or stolen?
4. Who is responsible for what?

Irish Insurance Context:

• No specific "robot insurance" product in Ireland
• Coverage through existing policy types
• Rental agreements affect liability distribution
• Irish law applies to liability questions

Coverage Stakeholders:

Rentabot.ie Insurance Commitment:

All rentals include: - Equipment insurance (damage, theft) - Public liability coverage (€5M minimum) - Product liability coverage - Professional indemnity

This protects you from most robot-related risks without additional insurance costs.

1. Equipment Insurance (Provided by Rentabot.ie)

Covers: - Accidental damage to the robot - Theft of the robot - Fire, flood, and natural disasters - Mechanical/electrical breakdown

Not covered: - Deliberate damage - Damage from gross negligence - Damage from unauthorised modifications

2. Public Liability Insurance

Covers third-party injury or property damage: - Guest trips over robot cable - Robot damages visitor's property - Delivery robot spills on customer

Rentabot.ie provides: €5M coverage Your business should have: Your own public liability (required anyway)

3. Employer's Liability Insurance

Covers employee injury: - Staff injured operating robot - Injury during maintenance - Training accidents

Your responsibility: Part of your standard employer's liability policy

4. Product Liability Insurance (Provided by Rentabot.ie)

Covers defects in the robot causing harm: - Manufacturing defect causes injury - Software bug causes damage - Design flaw creates hazard

5. Professional Indemnity (Provided by Rentabot.ie)

Covers advice and service failures: - Incorrect robot recommendation - Faulty installation - Training inadequacies

Standard Coverage (All Rentals):

What This Means for You:

✓ If the robot breaks during normal use: We repair or replace ✓ If the robot is stolen: We replace (police report required) ✓ If the robot injures a third party: Our insurance covers ✓ If a robot defect causes damage: Our insurance covers

Your Responsibilities:

• Secure the robot appropriately (reasonable security)
• Report incidents promptly (within 24 hours)
• Operate as trained (follow guidelines)
• Maintain your own business insurance

What's NOT Covered:

✗ Deliberate damage ✗ Damage from unauthorised modifications ✗ Damage from gross negligence ✗ Cosmetic damage not affecting function ✗ Consequential losses (lost business, etc.)

Excess Waiver Option:

For €50/month additional, reduce excess to zero. Recommended for: - High-traffic environments - Multiple operators - Risk-averse businesses

Who Is Liable for What?

Scenario 1: Robot injures a guest

Primary liability: Rentabot.ie (our public liability) Your involvement: Provide incident details, cooperate with investigation

Scenario 2: Employee injured using robot

Primary liability: Your employer's liability Our involvement: Provide training records, support investigation

Scenario 3: Robot damages your property

Primary liability: Rentabot.ie (our equipment insurance) Exceptions: If damage caused by your negligence

Scenario 4: Robot damages third-party property

Primary liability: Rentabot.ie (our public liability) Your involvement: Report promptly, provide details

Key Liability Principles:

1. Training compliance: Follow our training = our liability
2. Maintenance compliance: Follow guidelines = our liability
3. Incident reporting: Report promptly = full coverage
4. Cooperation: Cooperate with investigations = smooth process

Reducing Your Liability Exposure:

• Complete all training provided
• Follow operating guidelines
• Report incidents immediately
• Maintain records of robot use
• Don't modify the robot
• Supervise appropriately

If an Incident Occurs:

Step 1: Ensure Safety (Immediate) - Check for injuries - Secure the area - Stop robot if needed (emergency stop)

Step 2: Document (Within 1 hour) - Photograph the scene - Note what happened, when, who was involved - Preserve any evidence - Get witness details

Step 3: Report (Within 24 hours) - Call our 24/7 support line - Complete incident report form - Email photos and documentation

Step 4: Cooperate (Ongoing) - Provide additional information as requested - Allow access for investigation - Don't admit liability to third parties - Keep records of all communications

What We Do:

1. Acknowledge report within 4 hours
2. Assess and triage within 24 hours
3. Arrange robot repair/replacement
4. Handle third-party claims directly
5. Keep you informed throughout

Claim Timeline:

Tips for Smooth Claims:

• Report immediately (delays can complicate)
• Be honest and thorough
• Don't speculate about causes
• Don't discuss with third parties
• Keep all documentation