[mtbcoder]

> Software, of course, has no such professional body, and exists in a twilight world of chancers and incompetents. Why should the software industry get away with knowingly producing crap and charging a fortune for it?

This is not really correct. If you are hiring a development firm or an independent contractor, you stipulate in your contract that the company or developer must carry some form of errors and omissions insurance. I've never seen a contract that did not have this line item. Any reputable company or independent contractor will already carry this regardless. If they do not, avoid hiring them.