Comparison
Hanover vs Travelers for design professionals
Written and reviewed by Michael LaBarbera, licensed insurance agent
Hanover and Travelers 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), Hanover states Architects, engineers, aerial mapping, agency-only construction management, phase I/II environmental services, interior designers, landscape architects, land surveyors, owner representatives and project managers, and Travelers states Architects, engineers, land surveyors, landscape architects, construction managers and technical consultants; firms of all sizes.
What are the key facts?
| Hanover — Architects, engineers, aerial mapping, agency-only construction management, phase I/II environmental services, interior designers, landscape architects, land surveyors, owner representatives and project managers. | [hanover-114] |
| Travelers — Architects, engineers, land surveyors, landscape architects, construction managers and technical consultants; firms of all sizes. | [travelers-98] |
| Hanover — Additional claim-free and risk management deductible reduction benefits offered. | [hanover-114] |
| Travelers — Claims guide: agreeing to claim resolution by mediation reduces the deductible obligation by 50%, up to a $25,000 reduction. | [travelers-94] |
| Hanover — 2014 guide: free pre-claim assistance; deductible does not apply unless a claim is made. | [hanover-49] |
| Travelers — Professional Liability 2.0 includes pre-claim costs. | [travelers-98] |
| Hanover — Remediation expense coverage offered; no design/build exclusion. | [hanover-114] |
| Travelers — Professional Liability 2.0 includes rectification costs. | [travelers-98] |
Eligibility (revenue and firm types): Hanover vs Travelers
On eligibility (revenue and firm types), Hanover versus Travelers reads as follows — Hanover: Architects, engineers, aerial mapping, agency-only construction management, phase I/II environmental services, interior designers, landscape architects, land surveyors, owner representatives and project managers; Travelers: Architects, engineers, land surveyors, landscape architects, construction managers and technical consultants; firms of all sizes.
Deductibles / credits / options: Hanover vs Travelers
On deductibles / credits / options, Hanover versus Travelers reads as follows — Hanover: Additional claim-free and risk management deductible reduction benefits offered; Travelers: Claims guide: agreeing to claim resolution by mediation reduces the deductible obligation by 50%, up to a $25,000 reduction.
First-dollar defense option: Hanover vs Travelers
On first-dollar defense option, Hanover versus Travelers reads as follows — Hanover: 2014 guide: optional first-dollar defense for firms with billings up to $2 million; current eligibility and endorsement terms require confirmation; Travelers: Ask us — not stated in the source we reviewed.
Consent-to-settle / hammer clause: Hanover vs Travelers
On consent-to-settle / hammer clause, Hanover versus Travelers reads as follows — Hanover: 2014 guide: consent to settle and no hammer clause; current settlement wording requires confirmation; Travelers: Ask us — not stated in the source we reviewed.
Pre-claim assistance: Hanover vs Travelers
On pre-claim assistance, Hanover versus Travelers reads as follows — Hanover: 2014 guide: free pre-claim assistance; deductible does not apply unless a claim is made; Travelers: Professional Liability 2.0 includes pre-claim costs.
Rectification / design-error expense: Hanover vs Travelers
On rectification / design-error expense, Hanover versus Travelers reads as follows — Hanover: Remediation expense coverage offered; no design/build exclusion; Travelers: Professional Liability 2.0 includes rectification costs.
Disciplinary proceeding defense: Hanover vs Travelers
On disciplinary proceeding defense, Hanover versus Travelers reads as follows — Hanover: Disciplinary proceedings expense coverage offered; Travelers: 2020 claims guide (predates Professional Liability 2.0): additional benefits for qualifying disciplinary proceedings; current wording and limits require confirmation.
ADA/FHA/OSHA proceeding reimbursement: Hanover vs Travelers
On ada/fha/osha proceeding reimbursement, Hanover versus Travelers reads as follows — Hanover: 2014 guide: ADA/FHA/OSHA claim defense costs up to $25,000, plus up to $250/day for salaries and expenses; current wording requires confirmation; Travelers: Ask us — not stated in the source we reviewed.
Extended reporting period (automatic / optional): Hanover vs Travelers
On extended reporting period (automatic / optional), Hanover versus Travelers reads as follows — Hanover: Additional extended reporting period options offered; Travelers: Ask us — not stated in the source we reviewed.
Network intrusion (third-party): Hanover vs Travelers
On network intrusion (third-party), Hanover versus Travelers reads as follows — Hanover: Cyber privacy, security and media liability coverage offered; Travelers: Professional Liability 2.0 includes network and information security offense coverage.
Pollution incident: Hanover vs Travelers
On pollution incident, Hanover versus Travelers reads as follows — Hanover: 2014 guide: pollution coverage for professional services; current policy scope requires confirmation; Travelers: Ask us — not stated in the source we reviewed.
How to use this comparison
Every Hanover and Travelers value on this page comes from that carrier's own published product material, linked in the table below. For a Hanover or Travelers quote, policy wording, endorsements and underwriting decide what your firm is actually offered. We quote Hanover and Travelers side by side from one application and show you whether either declined and why.
Frequently asked questions
How do Hanover and Travelers compare on eligibility (revenue and firm types)?
Per their published material, Hanover states Architects, engineers, aerial mapping, agency-only construction management, phase I/II environmental services, interior designers, landscape architects, land surveyors, owner representatives and project managers, while Travelers states Architects, engineers, land surveyors, landscape architects, construction managers and technical consultants; firms of all sizes.
How do Hanover and Travelers compare on deductibles / credits / options?
Per their published material, Hanover states Additional claim-free and risk management deductible reduction benefits offered, while Travelers states Claims guide: agreeing to claim resolution by mediation reduces the deductible obligation by 50%, up to a $25,000 reduction.
How do Hanover and Travelers compare on pre-claim assistance?
Per their published material, Hanover states 2014 guide: free pre-claim assistance; deductible does not apply unless a claim is made, while Travelers states Professional Liability 2.0 includes pre-claim costs.
How do Hanover and Travelers compare on rectification / design-error expense?
Per their published material, Hanover states Remediation expense coverage offered; no design/build exclusion, while Travelers states Professional Liability 2.0 includes rectification costs.
Is Hanover or Travelers better for my firm?
We do not rank Hanover against Travelers; 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?
- Professional liability for architects and engineers · Source date 2026-11
- Hanover Architects & Engineers Advantage — A policy designed & engineered for success (historical September 2014 guide) · Source date 2014-09
- Architects & Design Professionals Insurance · Source date 2026-11
- Design Professional Liability Insurance — Travelers Claim Services Guide · Source date 2020-11
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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