Errors in Professional Work
Coverage may apply to qualifying claims alleging an error in the performance of insured services.
Professional Liability Insurance
Protection for the work clients rely on.
Professional liability insurance, also called errors and omissions insurance in many fields, can help with qualifying claims alleging errors, omissions, negligence or other failures in professional services.
Errors & Omissions
Coverage for certain claims tied
to professional or business services.
01
Errors
Alleged mistakes in service
02
Omissions
Alleged failure to act
03
Negligence
Qualifying allegations
04
Defense
When provided by the policy
Service-Based Liability
A client can question the work even when you acted carefully.
Businesses that provide advice, designs, analysis, recommendations or other services can face claims alleging that their work caused a client financial or other covered loss.
Professional liability insurance addresses certain claims arising from professional or business duties, subject to the policy issued.
Professional Liability Coverage
What may a professional liability policy address?
Exact coverage depends on the profession, insurer, policy language, limits, conditions and exclusions.
Failure to Perform a Duty
A client may allege that a required professional task or service was not performed.
Alleged Professional Negligence
Coverage may address qualifying allegations that professional services were performed negligently.
Errors in Judgment
Certain claims may involve an alleged error in judgment connected with the insured service.
Alleged Breach of Duty
The policy may address certain claims alleging failure to meet a covered professional duty.
Claim Defense Costs
Certain policies can provide defense against qualifying claims according to their terms and limits.
Service Businesses
The policy should reflect
the actual work being performed.
Who May Consider Coverage
Different professions create different service-related risks.
Professional liability policy forms can differ considerably because the duties performed by one profession may be very different from another.
01
Consultants & advisors
Businesses providing advice or recommendations may face claims tied to those services.
02
Accountants & business services
Service errors or omissions can lead to allegations of financial loss.
03
Real estate professionals
Certain professional duties, documentation and advice can create E&O exposure.
04
Architects & engineers
Design and technical services can require policy wording suited to that profession.
Claim Allegations
Professional liability claims can begin in several ways.
The allegation does not itself determine whether coverage applies. The actual policy and claim facts control.
Missed Detail
A client alleges that an error or missing detail in professional work caused a financial loss.
Service Was Not Completed
A client alleges that an expected professional duty was omitted or left incomplete.
Advice Is Challenged
A customer alleges that professional advice or recommendations caused a covered financial loss.
Work Is Alleged to Be Negligent
A client alleges that insured services failed to meet an applicable professional duty.
Technical & Design Services
The work product itself can create liability exposure.
Designs, specifications, calculations, reports and other client deliverables can become part of a professional liability claim.
Allegations may involve qualifying errors in professional design work.
Written analysis or reports can form part of a client claim.
Technical specifications may create exposure when a client alleges an error or omission.
The policy should reflect the services and deliverables actually provided.
Technical Services
Policy wording should match
the type of work the business performs.
Two Different Liability Risks
General liability and professional liability serve different purposes.
A service business may need both depending on its premises, customer interaction and professional work.
Physical third-party risks.
General liability commonly focuses on qualifying bodily injury, third-party property damage and certain other business liability exposures.
Customer bodily injury claims
Third-party property damage
Premises and ordinary operations
Risks tied to professional services.
Professional liability focuses on certain claims involving errors, omissions, alleged negligence, breaches of duty or other covered acts in professional work.
Errors and omissions
Alleged professional negligence
Certain client financial-loss claims
Client Agreements
Contracts can affect the insurance conversation.
Client agreements may describe the work being performed and can also contain insurance requirements that should be checked against the actual policy.
01
Scope of services
Make sure the insurer understands the work the business agrees to perform.
02
Required limits
Certain clients may specify professional liability limits within a contract.
03
Contract language
Business agreements and policy language should be reviewed separately.
04
Proof of coverage
A client may request evidence of applicable professional liability insurance.
Policy Review
Details to check before relying on the policy.
Insured Services
Confirm that the policy description reflects the professional services the business actually performs.
Policy Limits
Review the limits available for qualifying claims and applicable aggregates.
Deductible or Retention
Check the amount the insured may be responsible for under applicable policy terms.
Exclusions
Review excluded services, conduct and other limitations before selecting coverage.
Getting Started
Start with the services your clients hire you to perform.
The work being performed is central to a professional liability review.
01
Describe the services.
Share the type of professional work, advice or client deliverables the business provides.
02
Review client agreements.
Identify contractual requirements and the scope of services being promised.
03
Review claim exposure.
Consider errors, omissions, alleged negligence and other service-related risks.
04
Review policy terms.
Check insured services, limits, deductibles, conditions and exclusions.
Professional Liability FAQ
Common questions.
Coverage differs by profession, insurer and policy form.
Professional liability insurance can address qualifying claims arising from errors, omissions, alleged negligence, breaches of duty or other covered acts connected with professional services.
The terms professional liability and errors and omissions insurance are often used for related service-based liability coverage. The actual policy form depends on the profession and insurer.
No. General liability commonly addresses certain third-party bodily injury and property damage exposures, while professional liability focuses on certain claims connected with professional services.
Businesses providing advice, designs, consulting, analysis or other professional services may consider this coverage. Eligibility varies by insurer and profession.
Certain client agreements may require a business to maintain professional liability insurance at specified limits.
Information may include services performed, revenue, client types, contracts, prior insurance, claim history and other information requested by the insurer.
Professional Liability Insurance
Protect the work clients hire your business to perform.
Tell Trinity about your services, clients and business activity to begin reviewing available professional liability insurance options.
Coverage availability, eligibility, policy terms,
limits and exclusions vary by product and carrier.
Contact Trinity for product availability and
coverage details.