Architects and Engineers Insurance Companies

What the features table shows

Each cell links to the carrier document it came from. Blank or unverified features appear as Ask us, because carriers publish different levels of detail.

Use the pair comparisons for a closer look at two carriers at a time, then request quotes so underwriting can confirm terms for your firm.

Which policy terms should you understand before comparing carriers?

Two terms change how every row in the table reads. Policy form decides which claims a policy answers: see claims-made vs occurrence for design professionals. Defense treatment decides whether legal costs reduce the limit available for damages: see defense inside vs outside policy limits.

The Hartford: what its published material confirms

The Hartford publishes 16 of the 16 features we track for design professional liability. Its eligibility (revenue and firm types) entry reads: Independent design firms; revenue up to $2M (larger firms go to Hartford Global Specialty); No construction or manufacturing services; construction administration and site visits allowed; Individuals, employees of design firms, and government agencies are not eligible. Its limits available entry reads: $250K–$2M annual limits. Its deductibles / credits / options entry reads: $0–$10K deductible. Its policy form entry reads: Claims-made, standalone.

Hiscox: what its published material confirms

Hiscox publishes 10 of the 16 features we track for design professional liability. Its eligibility (revenue and firm types) entry reads: Licensed architects, engineers and other design professionals; construction/project managers, contractors, interior designers, land surveyors, landscape architects, custom manufacturers and real estate developers. Its limits available entry reads: Limits capacity up to $10M on a primary or excess basis. Its deductibles / credits / options entry reads: Deductible credit included in base form; aggregate deductible option available. Its first-dollar defense option entry reads: First-dollar defense available as an optional cost-of-defense feature.

Great American: what its published material confirms

Great American publishes 6 of the 16 features we track for design professional liability. Its eligibility (revenue and firm types) entry reads: Architects, engineers and design consultants, including environmental consultants; billings up to $25 million. Its limits available entry reads: $250,000 per claim/$250,000 aggregate to $5 million per claim/$5 million aggregate. Its deductibles / credits / options entry reads: $0 deductible option for qualified small firms; aggregate deductible option for most firms; Early-resolution credits: 75% within one year or 50% within three years (only higher credit applies). Its policy form entry reads: Claims made and reported.

GUARD: what its published material confirms

GUARD publishes 7 of the 16 features we track for design professional liability. Its eligibility (revenue and firm types) entry reads: Architects and engineers professional liability; targeted classes include architects, civil, electrical, HVAC, mechanical, lighting and communication engineers, land and aerial surveyors, landscape architects and professional planners. Its limits available entry reads: Up to $5 million per claim. Its deductibles / credits / options entry reads: Deductibles starting at $2,500. Its disciplinary proceeding defense entry reads: Sublimit up to $35,000 in response to regulatory/administrative action or disciplinary proceedings.

Travelers: what its published material confirms

Travelers publishes 6 of the 16 features we track for design professional liability. Its eligibility (revenue and firm types) entry reads: Architects, engineers, land surveyors, landscape architects, construction managers and technical consultants; firms of all sizes. Its deductibles / credits / options entry reads: Claims guide: agreeing to claim resolution by mediation reduces the deductible obligation by 50%, up to a $25,000 reduction. Its pre-claim assistance entry reads: Professional Liability 2.0 includes pre-claim costs. Its rectification / design-error expense entry reads: Professional Liability 2.0 includes rectification costs.

Hanover: what its published material confirms

Hanover publishes 11 of the 16 features we track for design professional liability. Its eligibility (revenue and firm types) entry reads: Architects, engineers, aerial mapping, agency-only construction management, phase I/II environmental services, interior designers, landscape architects, land surveyors, owner representatives and project managers. Its deductibles / credits / options entry reads: Additional claim-free and risk management deductible reduction benefits offered. Its first-dollar defense option entry reads: 2014 guide: optional first-dollar defense for firms with billings up to $2 million; current eligibility and endorsement terms require confirmation. Its consent-to-settle / hammer clause entry reads: 2014 guide: consent to settle and no hammer clause; current settlement wording requires confirmation.