>The parent agency for one of the clients for whom I've worked for over 20 years has just re-written their standard contract for suppliers. The language regarding insurance is unfamiliar to me. In addition to the more traditional errors and omissions, and automobile liability, they require commercial general liability Insurance. The contract states that this should include contractual liability and products and completed operations coverage, WITH LIMITS adequate to protect against legal liability arising out of contract activity but in any event no less than 1 million dollars per occurrence and 3 million dollars aggregate. I obviously don't have such coverage. No client has asked for it before. Further, it won't be cost effective to obtain it--even if I knew where to apply.
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>Ironically, the most recent version of their software, a billing system with VFP 6 front end and SQL back end, was completed over 10 years ago. It runs at 2 locations. I probably get half a dozen questions from them per year by phone or email. Most are seeking help in dealing with errors occuring outside the application (for example when IT downed the server over a weekend with out warning users who run 24/7 departments.) I have made no revisions to the code for at least 3 years, nor have I billed them during that period. The stated purpose of the contract is to continue to provide support for the application. In actuallity, the contract facilitates getting *paid* for supporting the application; I'd never leave the client dangling if they needed help and they know that.
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>Obviously, I won't go broke if I lose these clients but I do wonder who will support their application. I doubt if any other independent developer could fulfill the insurance requirements either.

I receive "standard delivery terms" or "supplier contract" from some customers from time to time, and my answer is always the same. I refer to my company's delivery terms, which are the same for all of my customers, and state that by sending me an order they automatically agree to my terms. If they don't approve my terms, they are of course free to find other suppliers. So far I have not lost any customers by not accepting their terms or contracts.