The odd jobs that take a risk

Badger consultants, dog psychologists and vibration consultants are just three of the unusual job titles that have become commonplace in today’s business vocabulary.

According to Hiscox, there has been a steady rise in the number of non-traditional businesses looking for insurance policies to cover their unusual businesses. Alternative jobs on the increase include:

• Badger consultants – advising people how to keep within the laws protecting the nocturnal animals.

• Dog psychologists – analysing the behaviours and characteristics of troublesome pups.

• Vibration consultants – nothing risqué! These are people who advise on - and correct - vibration and noise problems for construction companies or manufacturers.

• Painting authenticators – the teams who see through art fraudsters to differentiate between true versus fake paintings;

• Saddle consultants – for equine lovers who want to ensure they’re having the most comfortable ride possible and that their horses have the perfect riding accessory.

However, even the quirkiest of professions have a serious side to them, says Hiscox. Gary Head, director of business insurance at Hiscox UK, says: “In today’s compensation culture, it is unfortunately all too easy to imagine a customer suing their dog psychologist if their dog continues to eat their slippers, or somebody taking their feng shui consultant to court if they’re not happy with their home’s energies.”