Comparison
Great American vs GUARD for design professionals
Written and reviewed by Michael LaBarbera, licensed insurance agent
Great American and GUARD both offer design professional liability quoted through our agency, and the differences that matter are in eligibility, limits and policy features rather than a ranking. On eligibility (revenue and firm types), Great American states Architects, engineers and design consultants, including environmental consultants; billings up to $25 million, and GUARD states 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.
What are the key facts?
| Great American — Architects, engineers and design consultants, including environmental consultants; billings up to $25 million. | [great-american-158] |
| GUARD — 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. | [guard-60] |
| Great American — $250,000 per claim/$250,000 aggregate to $5 million per claim/$5 million aggregate. | [great-american-158] |
| GUARD — Up to $5 million per claim. | [guard-60] |
| Great American — $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). | [great-american-158] |
| GUARD — Deductibles starting at $2,500. | [guard-60] |
Eligibility (revenue and firm types): Great American vs GUARD
On eligibility (revenue and firm types), Great American versus GUARD reads as follows — Great American: Architects, engineers and design consultants, including environmental consultants; billings up to $25 million; GUARD: 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.
Limits available: Great American vs GUARD
On limits available, Great American versus GUARD reads as follows — Great American: $250,000 per claim/$250,000 aggregate to $5 million per claim/$5 million aggregate; GUARD: Up to $5 million per claim.
Deductibles / credits / options: Great American vs GUARD
On deductibles / credits / options, Great American versus GUARD reads as follows — Great American: $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); GUARD: Deductibles starting at $2,500.
Policy form: Great American vs GUARD
On policy form, Great American versus GUARD reads as follows — Great American: Claims made and reported; GUARD: Ask us — not stated in the source we reviewed.
Consent-to-settle / hammer clause: Great American vs GUARD
On consent-to-settle / hammer clause, Great American versus GUARD reads as follows — Great American: No hammer clause; insured consent required to settle a claim; GUARD: Ask us — not stated in the source we reviewed.
Pre-claim assistance: Great American vs GUARD
On pre-claim assistance, Great American versus GUARD reads as follows — Great American: Pre-claims assistance included; GUARD: Ask us — not stated in the source we reviewed.
Disciplinary proceeding defense: Great American vs GUARD
On disciplinary proceeding defense, Great American versus GUARD reads as follows — Great American: Ask us — not stated in the source we reviewed; GUARD: Sublimit up to $35,000 in response to regulatory/administrative action or disciplinary proceedings.
Extended reporting period (automatic / optional): Great American vs GUARD
On extended reporting period (automatic / optional), Great American versus GUARD reads as follows — Great American: Ask us — not stated in the source we reviewed; GUARD: Extended reporting period options up to five years available.
Network intrusion (third-party): Great American vs GUARD
On network intrusion (third-party), Great American versus GUARD reads as follows — Great American: Ask us — not stated in the source we reviewed; GUARD: Liability components include computer network security and privacy.
Pollution incident: Great American vs GUARD
On pollution incident, Great American versus GUARD reads as follows — Great American: Ask us — not stated in the source we reviewed; GUARD: Liability components include environmental and contractors pollution.
How to use this comparison
Every Great American and GUARD value on this page comes from that carrier's own published product material, linked in the table below. For a Great American or GUARD quote, policy wording, endorsements and underwriting decide what your firm is actually offered. We quote Great American and GUARD side by side from one application and show you whether either declined and why.
Frequently asked questions
How do Great American and GUARD compare on eligibility (revenue and firm types)?
Per their published material, Great American states Architects, engineers and design consultants, including environmental consultants; billings up to $25 million, while GUARD states 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.
How do Great American and GUARD compare on limits available?
Per their published material, Great American states $250,000 per claim/$250,000 aggregate to $5 million per claim/$5 million aggregate, while GUARD states Up to $5 million per claim.
How do Great American and GUARD compare on deductibles / credits / options?
Per their published material, Great American states $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), while GUARD states Deductibles starting at $2,500.
Is Great American or GUARD better for my firm?
We do not rank Great American against GUARD; the right fit between them depends on your disciplines, revenue, contracts and claims history, and we quote both from one application.
Buyer questions answered
- What is a retroactive date?
A retroactive date is the prior-acts boundary on a claims-made policy: services performed before that date may fall outside coverage even when the claim arrives during the current policy.
- Do architects need professional liability insurance?
Most architecture firms carry professional liability insurance because clients, owners and contracts commonly ask for it and because design-error allegations can arise years after a project closes.
- Does general liability cover design errors?
Generally no: general liability is not a substitute for professional liability when the allegation is a design error.
- Can a client be named as an additional insured on professional liability?
Usually not: additional-insured status is typically a general liability request, and professional liability policies generally do not add clients as additional insureds.
What are the sources?
- Great American Professional Liability Division — Protection for Design Professionals · Source date 2026-10
- Design Professionals Liability Insurance for Architects, Engineers and Design Consultants — Coverage Features · Source date 2023-01
- Professional Liability/E&O — Architects & Engineers · Source date 2021-04
Policy forms and endorsements control; this is not legal advice or a coverage decision.
Carrier names identify markets quoted through our agency. Availability depends on underwriting, state, policy wording and endorsements; this is not an offer of coverage.
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