Coverage
Project-Specific Professional Liability
Written and reviewed by Michael LaBarbera, licensed insurance agent
Project-specific professional liability is arranged around an identified project and insured parties rather than merely increasing a practice policy’s limit. We review the contract, participants and reporting needs before approaching markets through our agency; availability is subject to underwriting.
What are the key facts?
| Project-policy options exist, but availability and terms depend on the project and participating firms. | [Architects & Engineers Professional Liability — GUARD] |
| Start with contract requirements and project exposure, then compare available policy limits and how defense expenses affect them. | [Design Professional Liability — The Hartford] |
| A claims-made policy responds according to when a claim is made and the policy’s reporting requirements, rather than simply when the work was performed. | [Design Professional Liability — The Hartford] |
Start with the project contract
Identify the owner, design firms, delivery method, professional services and project schedule. A dedicated project arrangement must be reviewed for insured parties, exclusions, limits, reporting provisions and its relationship to each firm’s existing coverage.
A certificate does not resolve overlapping-policy conditions or establish that every contractual duty is insured. Provide draft requirements before signing rather than waiting until mobilization.
Can professional liability be arranged for a single project?
Project-policy options exist, but availability and terms depend on the project and participating firms.
Compare the insured parties, professional-services scope, reporting period and interaction with practice coverage. GUARD’s published architects and engineers material lists a specific project excess endorsement as available; confirm terms during underwriting.
How should a firm choose its professional liability limit?
Start with contract requirements and project exposure, then compare available policy limits and how defense expenses affect them.
Per-claim and aggregate limits answer different questions. A requested limit is not confirmation the whole contractual obligation is insured. Consider multiple claims, prior work, exclusions, sublimits and the cost-sharing obligation stated in the policy.
Why does the application ask about subconsultants?
Subconsulted services and insurance arrangements help the underwriter understand professional responsibility and the firm’s exposure.
Identify what is delegated, who contracts with whom, billings and how evidence of insurance is collected. A subconsultant’s policy does not by itself erase the primary firm’s contractual obligations.
What does tail coverage do?
An extended reporting period can allow later reporting of qualifying claims from earlier services, subject to its terms.
It does not ordinarily insure new professional services after the policy ends. Election deadlines, reporting duration, covered acts and available limits vary; obtain the actual endorsement before making a retirement or cancellation decision.
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 professional liability be arranged for a single project?
Project-policy options exist, but availability and terms depend on the project and participating firms.
How should a firm choose its professional liability limit?
Start with contract requirements and project exposure, then compare available policy limits and how defense expenses affect them.
Why does the application ask about subconsultants?
Subconsulted services and insurance arrangements help the underwriter understand professional responsibility and the firm’s exposure.
What does tail coverage do?
An extended reporting period can allow later reporting of qualifying claims from earlier services, subject to its terms.
What are the sources?
- Design Professional Liability — The Hartford
- Design Professional Liability — The Hartford
- Architects & Engineers Professional Liability — GUARD
- Great American — Design professional liability application
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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