How is it different from general liability?
General liability commonly addresses bodily injury, property damage, and defined personal or advertising injury exposures. Professional E&O focuses on specified allegations connected with professional work. If a client alleges a financial loss from your recommendation without physical injury or damage, a separate E&O review may be relevant. Compare the actual policies together because a standard liability requirement in a client contract may not address the full service exposure.
How does it differ from technology or Product E&O?
Technology E&O is tailored to defined technology services or products. Product or manufacturers E&O concerns specified product-related financial-loss exposures. This guide focuses on professional services such as advice, design, and consulting. A business offering several activities should describe them all so the review can address a suitable form or coordinated program. A familiar E&O label does not ensure that an additional business activity is insured.
Why do client contracts matter?
Share sample scopes of work, acceptance terms, indemnities, and insurance requirements. Explain any performance guarantees or responsibilities for subcontracted work. Ask how the proposed policy treats contractual liability and work outside the insured service description. Insurance should be considered alongside clear project documentation and legal review; it does not guarantee fulfillment of every promise or payment of every fee dispute.
What should we review in a claims-made policy?
Discuss when a claim must first be made and reported, any retroactive date, continuity of prior acts, and options when services stop or the insurer changes. Compare defense-cost treatment, deductible or retention, settlement consent, and exclusions. If you already have E&O, bring the current form to the comparison. Maintaining dates and understanding notice requirements can be as important as comparing the quoted limit.
A professional-services scenario
Suppose a client alleges that an error in your advisory work led to a costly business decision. The review should consider the agreed service, the alleged harm, policy timing, and any applicable exclusions. This scenario helps frame an E&O discussion; it is not a conclusion that the allegation is valid or covered. Follow the policy’s reporting requirements for actual demands and obtain appropriate advice on response deadlines.
What information will help us begin?
Share your website, services, revenue range, client types, renewal timing, and existing professional liability coverage. A sample contract and description of subcontractor use can help the next conversation. Cory can discuss E&O alongside cyber, general liability, and other coverage needs. Use the website form for basic business details; avoid including confidential client documents or detailed allegations in the public inquiry.
Professional E&O versus general liability
Advice or service errors and premises or operations liability are different exposures. Bring a sample client agreement and a description of your work to the review so the policy definitions can be compared with what your business actually does. Read the General liability guide.
Related coverage guides
Taking on a different service or a larger client?
Start with your scope of work, client commitments, and the timing of your next contract or renewal. Cory will follow up to discuss the business and the information needed for the next step.
Request an insurance review with Cory or call 845-721-0744.
Preparing for the conversation? Download the business insurance review checklist (PDF). No signup required.
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Submitting an inquiry does not bind, amend, or cancel coverage. Coverage availability and terms depend on underwriting and the policy issued.
Further reading: Coverage background.
