Design Professional Policy Features
Written and reviewed by Michael LaBarbera, licensed insurance agent
Compare design professional policies using sourced eligibility, limits, defense and coverage features rather than prices. Only verified values are shown; all other cells say Ask us.
Carrier names identify markets quoted through our agency. Availability depends on underwriting, state, policy wording and endorsements; this is not an offer of coverage.
Document editions are cited for each confirmed feature. Older guides are not confirmation of current quote terms; issued policy wording and endorsements control. Optional benefits are not automatically included.
| Feature | The Hartford — Small Business design professional liability | Hiscox | Great American | GUARD | Markel | Travelers | Hanover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eligibility (revenue and firm types) | 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.Source · 2026-07 | Licensed architects, engineers and other design professionals; construction/project managers, contractors, interior designers, land surveyors, landscape architects, custom manufacturers and real estate developers.Source · 2019-01 | Architects, engineers and design consultants, including environmental consultants; billings up to $25 million.Source · 2026-10 | 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.Source · 2021-04 | Ask us | Architects, engineers, land surveyors, landscape architects, construction managers and technical consultants; firms of all sizes.Source · 2026-11 | Architects, engineers, aerial mapping, agency-only construction management, phase I/II environmental services, interior designers, landscape architects, land surveyors, owner representatives and project managers.Source · 2026-11 |
| Limits available | $250K–$2M annual limitsSource · 2026-07 | Limits capacity up to $10M on a primary or excess basis.Source · 2019-01 | $250,000 per claim/$250,000 aggregate to $5 million per claim/$5 million aggregate.Source · 2026-10 | Up to $5 million per claim.Source · 2021-04 | Ask us | Ask us | Ask us |
| Deductibles / credits / options | $0–$10K deductibleSource · 2026-07 | Deductible credit included in base form; aggregate deductible option available.Source · 2019-01 | $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).Source · 2026-10 | Deductibles starting at $2,500.Source · 2021-04 | Ask us | Claims guide: agreeing to claim resolution by mediation reduces the deductible obligation by 50%, up to a $25,000 reduction.Source · 2020-11 | Additional claim-free and risk management deductible reduction benefits offered.Source · 2026-11 |
| Policy form | Claims-made, standaloneSource · 2026-07 | Ask us | Claims made and reported.Source · 2023-01 | Ask us | Ask us | Ask us | Ask us |
| Defense inside/outside limits | Defense inside limitsSource · 2026-07 | Ask us | Ask us | Ask us | Ask us | Ask us | Ask us |
| First-dollar defense option | Damages-only first-dollar-defense endorsement availableSource · 2026-07 | First-dollar defense available as an optional cost-of-defense feature.Source · 2019-01 | Ask us | Ask us | Ask us | Ask us | 2014 guide: optional first-dollar defense for firms with billings up to $2 million; current eligibility and endorsement terms require confirmation.Source · 2014-09 |
| Consent-to-settle / hammer clause | No hammer clauseSource · 2026-07 | 2017 US Hiscox PRO guide: 50/50 hammer clause built into the base form.Source · 2017-03 | No hammer clause; insured consent required to settle a claim.Source · 2026-10 | Ask us | Ask us | Ask us | 2014 guide: consent to settle and no hammer clause; current settlement wording requires confirmation.Source · 2014-09 |
| Pre-claim assistance | Included; unlimitedSource · 2026-07 | Up to $50,000 in pre-claim assistance, outside limits.Source · 2019-01 | Pre-claims assistance included.Source · 2026-10 | Ask us | Ask us | Professional Liability 2.0 includes pre-claim costs.Source · 2026-11 | 2014 guide: free pre-claim assistance; deductible does not apply unless a claim is made.Source · 2014-09 |
| Rectification / design-error expense | Rectification expense for design errorsSource · 2026-07 | Ask us | Ask us | Ask us | Ask us | Professional Liability 2.0 includes rectification costs.Source · 2026-11 | Remediation expense coverage offered; no design/build exclusion.Source · 2026-11 |
| Disciplinary proceeding defense | Defense up to $25KSource · 2026-07 | 2017 US Hiscox PRO guide: Licensing-proceeding defense sublimit included in the base form, outside limits.Source · 2017-03 | Ask us | Sublimit up to $35,000 in response to regulatory/administrative action or disciplinary proceedings.Source · 2021-04 | Ask us | 2020 claims guide (predates Professional Liability 2.0): additional benefits for qualifying disciplinary proceedings; current wording and limits require confirmation.Source · 2020-11 | Disciplinary proceedings expense coverage offered.Source · 2026-11 |
| Subpoena assistance | Assistance up to $100KSource · 2026-07 | 2017 US Hiscox PRO guide: Subpoena-assistance sublimit included in the base form, outside limits.Source · 2017-03 | Ask us | Ask us | Ask us | Ask us | Ask us |
| ADA/FHA/OSHA proceeding reimbursement | Reimbursement up to $25KSource · 2026-07 | 2017 US Hiscox PRO guide: Up to $25,000 for FHA/OSHA/ADA regulatory defense and response costs, outside limits.Source · 2017-03 | Ask us | Ask us | Ask us | Ask us | 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.Source · 2014-09 |
| Extended reporting period (automatic / optional) | Automatic 60-day extended reporting periodSource · 2026-07 | Ask us | Ask us | Extended reporting period options up to five years available.Source · 2021-04 | Ask us | Ask us | Additional extended reporting period options offered.Source · 2026-11 |
| Network intrusion (third-party) | Third-party liability tied to professional servicesSource · 2026-07 | Ask us | Ask us | Liability components include computer network security and privacy.Source · 2021-04 | Ask us | Professional Liability 2.0 includes network and information security offense coverage.Source · 2026-11 | Cyber privacy, security and media liability coverage offered.Source · 2026-11 |
| Pollution incident | Incident coverage tied to professional servicesSource · 2026-07 | Pollution liability arising from performance of professional services; mold explicitly covered with sublimit or full limits.Source · 2019-01 | Ask us | Liability components include environmental and contractors pollution.Source · 2021-04 | Ask us | Ask us | 2014 guide: pollution coverage for professional services; current policy scope requires confirmation.Source · 2014-09 |
| States not available | VermontSource · 2026-07 | Ask us | Ask us | Ask us | Ask us | Ask us | Ask us |
The Hartford — Small Business design professional liability
Design Professional Liability — The Hartford · Source edition: 2026-07.
Hiscox
Hiscox PRO Architects and Engineers — Design, Construction and Real Estate Development · Source edition: 2019-01.
Hiscox PRO – policy comparison (US; March 2017) · Source edition: 2017-03.
Great American
Great American Professional Liability Division — Protection for Design Professionals · Source edition: 2026-10.
Design Professionals Liability Insurance for Architects, Engineers and Design Consultants — Coverage Features · Source edition: 2023-01.
GUARD
Professional Liability/E&O — Architects & Engineers · Source edition: 2021-04.
Markel
Ask us — no verified source yet.
Travelers
Architects & Design Professionals Insurance · Source edition: 2026-11.
Design Professional Liability Insurance — Travelers Claim Services Guide · Source edition: 2020-11.
Hanover
Professional liability for architects and engineers · Source edition: 2026-11.
Hanover Architects & Engineers Advantage — A policy designed & engineered for success (historical September 2014 guide) · Source edition: 2014-09.
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