Coverage
General Liability and Office Package
Written and reviewed by Michael LaBarbera, licensed insurance agent
General liability and an office package address different premises, operations, property and product exposures from professional liability, subject to the selected forms. We review those needs alongside E&O, including office-package markets quoted through our agency such as Coterie and NEXT.
What are the key facts?
| Some insurers allow it, but adding an additional insured to professional liability extends your coverage to another party and can increase your risk; general liability should be reviewed separately. | [Additional Insured on Professional Liability Policies — The Hartford] |
| A certificate summarizes insurance; it does not create an endorsement or expand the policy’s coverage. | [What Is a Certificate of Liability Insurance? — The Hartford] |
| It addresses claims alleging negligent acts, errors or omissions in insured professional services, subject to the policy’s terms. | [Design Professional Liability — The Hartford] |
Separate professional advice from business operations
An interior designer’s specification dispute and a claim involving resold furniture are not the same exposure. Tell us about premises, employees, products, procurement and installation so the appropriate coverage can be reviewed.
The package may combine liability and property, but the actual declarations, limits, exclusions and endorsements control. Do not assume a business-owner policy includes professional liability.
Can an owner be an additional insured on professional liability?
Some insurers allow it, but adding an additional insured to professional liability extends your coverage to another party and can increase your risk; general liability should be reviewed separately.
Professional liability covers the insured design firm’s professional services. Owner requirements may combine general and professional liability in one paragraph. Separate those requirements and seek agent and attorney review instead of assuming a certificate fixes them.
Does a certificate change the insurance policy?
A certificate summarizes insurance; it does not create an endorsement or expand the policy’s coverage.
Compare the contract with the declarations and applicable endorsements before signing. A certificate issued for an RFP does not prove every indemnity, additional-insured or duration requirement is satisfied.
What does professional liability cover for a design firm?
It addresses claims alleging negligent acts, errors or omissions in insured professional services, subject to the policy’s terms.
The insured-services definition matters as much as the firm’s job title. Disclose changes in disciplines, construction responsibilities and project types before relying on a policy for new work.
Provident Financial Group is an independent insurance agency that quotes professional liability for design professionals across multiple carriers from one application, shows you which carriers declined, and issues live certificates of insurance you can share anytime.
01
Multiple carriers, one application
Complete one application and we take it to every carrier that fits your firm's profile.
02
We show you who declined — and why
You see which carriers passed on your firm and the reason they gave, so nothing happens behind a curtain.
03
Same-day certificates of insurance
Need a COI for a proposal or contract? We issue certificates the same business day.
04
Live Certificates on demand
Clients, owners, and general contractors can retrieve your current certificate anytime without waiting on us.
Carriers quoted through our agency for design professionals include:
- The Hartford (firms under $2M revenue via its small-business A&E product; larger firms via Hartford Global Specialty)
- Hiscox
- Great American (design professionals program)
- GUARD
- Markel
- Travelers
- Hanover
- Coterie and NEXT (office package)
- Colonial Surety (bid and performance bonds)
Carrier names identify markets quoted through our agency. Availability depends on underwriting, state, policy wording and endorsements; this is not an offer of coverage.The Hartford's small-firm A&E product is not available in Vermont; Vermont firms are placed with another carrier.
Frequently asked questions
Can an owner be an additional insured on professional liability?
Some insurers allow it, but adding an additional insured to professional liability extends your coverage to another party and can increase your risk; general liability should be reviewed separately.
Does a certificate change the insurance policy?
A certificate summarizes insurance; it does not create an endorsement or expand the policy’s coverage.
What does professional liability cover for a design firm?
It addresses claims alleging negligent acts, errors or omissions in insured professional services, subject to the policy’s terms.
What are the sources?
- Design Professional Liability — The Hartford
- Additional Insured on Professional Liability Policies — The Hartford
- What Is a Certificate of Liability Insurance? — The Hartford
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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Start with your contact details — it takes about four minutes. A licensed agent reviews your firm and emails your options, usually within one business day.