Design professionals we insure
Top insurance policies for design professionals
If an architect makes a mistake in a blueprint, legal costs could devastate their business. These insurance products give you financial protection and peace of mind, so you can focus on creating unique solutions for your clients.
General liability insurance
A general liability policy protects architecture firms and other design businesses against legal costs from third-party injuries and property damage, such as a client who slips on an icy front step.
- Client slip-and-fall injuries
- Accidental damage to a client's property
- Advertising injuries, such as copyright infringement
Business owner's policy
Small design firms are often eligible for a business owner's policy, also called a BOP. This bundle includes both general liability coverage and commercial property insurance at a discount.
- Client bodily injuries
- Damaged client property
- Stolen or damaged business property
Professional liability insurance
This policy covers legal costs related to professional negligence, such as a mistake in a design that leads to costly repairs. It's sometimes called errors and omissions insurance (E&O).
- Design defects
- Missed deadlines
- Breach of contract
Workers' comp insurance
Most states require design businesses with employees to carry workers' compensation insurance. Personal health insurance won’t cover work-related injuries, which makes this policy crucial for sole proprietors too.
- Work-related medical expenses
- Disability benefits
- Lawsuits from workplace injuries
Cyber insurance
This policy helps building design companies recover from costly cyberattacks and data breaches. It’s recommended for any business that handles credit cards or other personal information.
- Data breach investigations
- Fraud monitoring services
- Ransomware attacks
Commercial auto insurance
Most states require commercial auto insurance for vehicles owned by a business. This policy covers legal costs in the event of an accident involving a design professional's vehicle.
- Damage caused by your vehicle
- Legal costs from an accident
- Vehicle theft and vandalism
Designer insurance costs
From our customer data, here's a quick look at average building designer insurance costs:
General liability: $36 per month
Business owner's policy: $54 per month
Professional liability/E&O: $142 per month
Factors that can influence your premiums include:
- Your profession, such as architect, engineer, or interior designer
- Number of employees
- Value of your computers and other business property
- Types of insurance purchased
- Policy limits and deductibles
- Claims history
How do I get designer insurance?
TechInsurance helps you get insured quickly so you can sign contracts, comply with state laws, and protect your business against costly lawsuits and accidents. We work only with top-rated insurance companies to secure the best possible insurance for building designers.
You can get the right insurance in three simple steps:
- Fill out our easy online application with your business details.
- Compare quotes from our trusted partners.
- Pay for a policy and download your certificate of insurance (COI).
Our licensed insurance agents know the unique risks of the building design industry and will help you find the right coverage for your business needs and your budget. Gain peace of mind with advice from expert agents and policies from the leading carriers in the nation.
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Common questions about design professional insurance
Find answers to questions about design liability insurance and other coverages.
Is insurance required to get an architect or engineer license?
Typically, you don't need insurance in order to get a license in architecture or engineering. However, the specifics depend on the laws in your state. Your clients might also require you to carry insurance as part of the terms of a contract.
In most states, architects must do the following to get licensed:
- Earn a degree accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB)
- Document real-world experience through the Architectural Experience Program (AXP)
- Pass the Architect Registration Examination (ARE)
Engineer licenses often have the following requirements:
- Earn a degree accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
- Complete four years of supervised engineering experience
- Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) and Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exams
Additionally, both architects and engineers must pay an application fee and renew their license after a specific number of years have passed.
Does my design business need both general liability and professional liability insurance?
Yes, both general liability insurance and professional liability insurance are strongly recommended—and sometimes required—for building design professionals. In short, they both defend against different kinds of third-party lawsuits, and you might need insurance for a license, lease, or contract.
Specifically, here's why you might need general liability insurance:
- It defends against customer accidents. A general liability policy will pay for your legal defense costs if a client is injured or their property is damaged in an accident.
- You need to sign a commercial lease. Your landlord might ask for proof of general liability insurance before you can sign a lease for an office or other business property.
- You need a business loan. Lenders, too, often require general liability insurance as part of the terms for a business loan.
And here's why you might need professional liability insurance, also called errors and omissions insurance (E&O):
- It defends against accusations of negligence. If a client accuses your design firm of professional negligence, such as a defect that necessitates a costly renovation, this policy will help pay for your legal costs.
- You need insurance to sign a client contract. Clients prefer to work with insured businesses, and may require professional liability insurance or other types of insurance in the terms of a contract.
- Your state requires it for a license. As mentioned above, state laws occasionally require architects and engineers to carry professional liability insurance as part of their licensing requirements.
What other insurance coverages do design professionals need?
In addition to the policies mentioned above, our agents recommend the following types of building design and construction insurance:
- License/permit bonds: License and permit bonds act as a guarantee that your design firm will comply with building codes and meet industry standards in all of its work. You may need a bond to get a license, sign a contract, or obtain a permit for a specific project.
- Commercial umbrella insurance: Umbrella insurance boosts the coverage on your general liability, commercial auto, and employer's liability insurance policies after the underlying policy reaches its limit. This policy can help you fulfill a client's request for higher limits.
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