Errors and omissions insurance, also called professional liability, helps protect a business when a client alleges financial harm from negligent advice, a mistake, an omission, or failure to deliver professional services. Coverage is tailored to the services described in the policy.
Consultants, technology firms, designers, real estate and insurance professionals, accountants, agencies, and other businesses that provide advice or specialized services can face professional liability claims. A client contract may require coverage even when it is not required by law.
Depending on the policy, E&O can cover legal defense and certain settlements or judgments involving alleged negligence, inaccurate advice, missed deadlines, misrepresentation, or service failure. Intentional acts, guarantees, bodily injury, and known circumstances are commonly excluded or treated separately.
Most E&O policies respond to covered claims first made and reported during the policy period, subject to the retroactive date and reporting rules. Continuous coverage is important because cancelling or moving a retroactive date can eliminate protection for prior work.
Consider contract requirements, client size, largest project, potential financial harm, revenue, defense costs, industry risk, and whether expenses reduce the liability limit. The deductible should also be an amount the business could fund when a claim begins.
Carriers may request services provided, annual revenue, years in business, staff qualifications, contracts, quality-control procedures, largest clients or projects, subcontracted work, current coverage, and prior claims or circumstances that could lead to a claim.