Professional Indemnity - Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous business is just that - business that doesn't fall into one of the standard classes such as Architects, Accountants, etc. There is a proliferation of new professions and some of these will become standard classes in due course.
Many of these risks are sole traders offering specialist services, many of whom fulfil services that are now out-sourced by former employers. Of course, there are sizeable segments within the miscellaneous field, such as agricultural consultants. These are often more exposed to claims.
Perhaps because risks aren't 'standard classes', miscellaneous business has been very profitable, historically. This is why most PI insurers say that they want to see more of it. It is perhaps the only class of PI that has been profitable for a long period of time. But as people now more readily turn to the law when dissatisfied with service, so even miscellaneous loss ratios are expected to deteriorate.
What do Insurers look for?
With standard professions, one expects standard qualifications. With miscellaneous business, the insured may not be qualified in the formal sense at all. So sight of a CV is a normal requirement unless the insured has been trading for a while.
Every insurer has a different perception of the type of business that they want. Some will write very nearly anything, others want only specific business.