Professional Liability and E&O Insurance

General liability is not designed for every financial loss caused by advice, design, technology or professional work. Professional liability can address that gap for eligible businesses.

Coverage follows the service

The application, definition of professional services, retroactive date, exclusions and claims-reporting terms must align with what the business actually does.

• Errors and omissions

• Technology services

• Consulting and professional advice

• Contractual insurance requirements

Claims-made details matter

Many professional policies are written on a claims-made basis. Continuity, prior acts and timely reporting are important when changing carriers or ending coverage.

Coverage solutions we help you compare

We explain the available coverage choices and the tradeoffs that matter for your situation.

Covered professional services matched to your work

We review your actual services, client types and contract descriptions against the policy’s definition of covered professional services. An E&O label alone does not establish that every activity is insured.

E&O limits, retentions and defense-cost treatment

We explain available limits, retentions and whether defense costs reduce the amount available for a settlement. These differences can materially change how two proposals compare.

Claims-made coverage, retroactive dates and tail options

When comparing a replacement policy or ending coverage, we review retroactive dates, prior acts and claims-made reporting requirements. Available extended reporting or tail options may provide time to report eligible claims about prior work; they do not automatically cover new work performed after the policy ends.

Contract requirements and E&O exclusions

We discuss client insurance requirements and relevant exclusions or limitations, including contractual promises beyond the policy’s protection. Insurance review does not replace legal review of the contract.

Technology E&O and cyber coverage coordination

For technology or data-related services, we discuss the boundary between E&O and cyber coverage and compare available combined or separate solutions. A service error, a breach and an outage can involve different coverage triggers and exclusions.

Employees, subcontractors and covered-person definitions

We review who performs your services and compare the policy’s insured-person definitions and subcontractor provisions. Protection for your business’s liability arising from someone else’s work is different from insuring that person directly; we explain the offered terms and any separate insurance requirements.

Coverage and eligibility depend on the insurer, underwriting and actual policy terms.

Questions worth asking

Are E&O and professional liability the same, and how do they differ from GL?

E&O, or errors and omissions, is commonly another name for professional liability insurance. It addresses covered allegations arising from professional services. General liability addresses different exposures, such as covered third-party bodily injury and property damage; some businesses need both.

Can a claim be expensive even if I did nothing wrong?

Yes. Responding to an allegation can involve legal defense costs. Whether the insurer must defend and which costs it pays depend on the policy and the claim.

Who needs professional liability insurance, including consultants?

Businesses providing advice, design, technology or other professional services may face allegations that an error caused a client financial loss. The services, potential consequences and client contracts matter more than business size alone. We review the activities a proposed policy would actually insure.

What affects professional liability insurance cost?

Services, revenue, clients, contracts, claims, limits, retentions and underwriting history can affect pricing and eligibility. We use accurate service descriptions to compare suitable options.

What does professional liability insurance commonly exclude?

Policies commonly restrict intentional wrongdoing, known prior matters and obligations beyond the coverage provided. Refunds, guarantees, bodily injury, property damage or cyber events may be handled differently or require other insurance, depending on the form. We explain the offered exclusions and relevant exceptions.

Helpful next steps

Report complaints, demands or potential claims promptly according to the policy’s instructions. Do not wait for a lawsuit; claims-made reporting provisions can be important.

Ready to talk? Request a quote or call (314) 639-0020.