Now, you may think this is dealing only with the USA, why is it in this
thread... Because it deals with Swiss companies doing business in the
USA.


Had to have it in writing. Simply because I could not believe what I
was hearing on the phone. Ten minutes later an e-mail arrived. Sure
enough... Here is the deal:

The insurance company that covers my business asked for my
current business activities and where these activities are performed.
OK, I listed: Photography, technical training, large format printing
and product sales. Locations listed as: World-wide (as the technical
training could be in any developed country).


Now we are up to the telephone call and e-mail today. The premium
for USA/Canada alone is CHF 3000.- per year. Could have knocked
me over with a feather! The insured sum is 5 million Franks to cover
the systems I give training on... The insurance costs otherwise
somewhere around six to seven hundred Franks for world-wide -
except USA/Canada!


So, if you are contemplating doing business on the North American
continent, think twice when it comes to the insurance!


Conclusion: If I am set to North America to give technical training,
I will get a short term insurance policy just for that trip. Maybe even
get one there.

Checked our insurance. Not far off yours and with the same 5mil liability but world wide and including incompetence lawsuits etc. Our insurance company is the obvious one in Switzerland and possibly a bit expensive but I do believe we have an excellent broker.

One ripoff we came across though, was that while attending an expo in the UK we had to use the Expo's own insurers even though our Swiss policy more than covered the requirements.

All insurance companies are thieves? Probably.

When I arrived in Switzerland it was explained to me that the Swiss
insurance companies are the Swiss Mafia

Still, 3000 Franks... and that per year and covers only USA and Canada.
Crazy!

I did something similar last year, and i think you ll find the insurance in the USA just as expensive, because of the litigious nature of US citizens.. id check out the prices in the US before you travel.