E&O / Professional Liability
Start an E&O review with the professional service itself.
Errors & omissions coverage addresses claims involving professional advice, work, designs, or deliverables—an exposure distinct from general liability.
What professional-service exposure means
It is the possibility that a client alleges financial loss from an error, omission, delay, explanation, or deliverable. An industry label is not enough; the actual promises, customers, and delivery model must be understood.
What to organize before seeking terms
- Scope of services, advice, and deliverables
- Client contracts, limitations of liability, indemnity, and required limits
- Prior and future work, including subcontractors
- Adjacent data, technology, media, and intellectual-property exposure
High-level terms to understand
- Claims-made
- Many E&O forms make the timing of a claim and its reporting important. The actual requirements come from the policy wording.
- Retroactive Date / Prior Acts
- Terms affecting how far back professional work may be considered, including continuity at renewal.
- Professional Services
- The services defined by the policy as covered professional work; they should match the actual operation.
- Defense Costs
- How defense expense interacts with the limit, including whether it reduces the available limit.
Why exclusions and policy wording matter
Two policies called E&O may treat covered services, contractual liability, cyber, media, intellectual property, and intentional acts differently.
Client insurance requirements should be checked against what the policy actually provides. Contract interpretation belongs with legal counsel.
When a review may be useful
- When adding a service or customer segment
- When a client contract requires E&O
- When the entity, contracting party, or subcontracting model changes
- Before renewal, to review continuity for prior work
Related practical resources
COI Requirement Guide
How to read a certificate of insurance and match it to contract requirements.
Delivery is being set up. This resource will be available shortly.
Related coverage and next step
This page is general information. It does not indicate that every business qualifies, a product is available, or a claim will be covered.