What is Professional Liability Insurance?
Professional liability (E&O) insurance protects you from claims of negligence, errors, and mistakes in your professional services.
Professional liability insurance, also known as errors and omissions (E&O) insurance, protects professionals who provide advice, services, or expertise from claims of negligence, mistakes, or failure to deliver promised services. This coverage is essential for consultants, accountants, lawyers, architects, engineers, IT professionals, and anyone who provides professional services.
Even if you're highly skilled and careful, a single client complaint can result in expensive legal defense costs and settlements. Professional liability insurance covers legal fees, court costs, and settlements or judgments, protecting your business assets and professional reputation from devastating financial losses.
Legal Defense
Coverage for attorney fees and court costs
Settlements & Judgments
Protection against claim payouts
Reputation Protection
Safeguard your professional standing
Contract Requirements
Meet client E&O insurance mandates
Common Professional Liability Claims
Professional Negligence
Claims alleging you failed to provide adequate professional services
Errors & Omissions
Coverage for mistakes or oversights in your professional work
Breach of Contract
Protection when clients claim you didn't fulfill contractual obligations
Misrepresentation
Defense against claims of providing inaccurate information or advice
Missed Deadlines
Coverage when late delivery causes client financial harm
Copyright Infringement
Protection against intellectual property violation claims
Ready to Protect Your Professional Practice?
Get a customized professional liability quote in minutes.
Key Professional Liability Coverage Features
Protecting your expertise and reputation
Errors & Omissions Coverage
Protects against claims of mistakes, negligence, or failure to deliver promised services
Legal Defense Costs
Covers attorney fees, court costs, and expert witness expenses regardless of fault
Settlement & Judgment Coverage
Pays damages awarded in lawsuits up to your policy limits
Breach of Duty Protection
Covers claims that you failed to meet professional standards or contractual obligations
Misrepresentation Claims
Protects against allegations of providing inaccurate advice or information
Regulatory Defense
Covers costs of defending against licensing board complaints and investigations
Professions We Protect
Tailored professional liability insurance for your specific profession
Accountants & CPAs
Tax preparation, auditing, bookkeeping, and financial consulting services
IT Consultants & Tech Services
Software development, IT consulting, cybersecurity, and technology services
Medical Professionals
Physicians, surgeons, dentists, and other healthcare practitioners
Real Estate Professionals
Real estate agents, brokers, property managers, and appraisers
Engineers & Architects
Design professionals, structural engineers, and architectural services
Financial Advisors
Investment advisors, financial planners, and wealth management professionals
Don't see your profession? We cover professionals of all types.
Errors & Omissions Insurance for Doctors, Dentists & Medical Professionals
Specialized malpractice and E&O coverage designed for the unique liability exposures of healthcare providers
Essential Medical E&O Coverages
Professional Liability (Malpractice)
Coverage for medical errors, misdiagnosis, surgical mistakes, and treatment complications
Claims-Made Coverage
Protection for claims made during the policy period, regardless of when the incident occurred
Tail Coverage (Extended Reporting)
Covers claims reported after your policy ends for incidents that occurred during coverage
Licensing Board Defense
Legal defense for investigations and proceedings by state medical boards
Critical Considerations for Healthcare Providers
Coverage Limits Matter
Typical limits: $1M per claim / $3M aggregate. High-risk specialties may need $2M-$5M+
Specialty-Specific Pricing
Premiums vary widely: General practice ($5K-$15K), Surgery ($30K-$100K+), OB/GYN highest
HIPAA & Cyber Liability
Add cyber coverage for data breaches, ransomware, and electronic health record exposures
Consent to Settle Clause
Ensure your policy requires your consent before settling claims to protect your reputation
Get Specialized Medical E&O Quotes
We work with A-rated carriers specializing in medical malpractice and healthcare E&O to provide comprehensive coverage at competitive rates.
Insurance Guidance Tailored to You
Your needs come first. There is no one size fits all solution for your business or coverage. We tailor insurance to your needs, not someone else's goal.
Captive Agents
Online or Direct
Real Protection for Real Professionals
See how we've helped professionals avoid financial devastation, protect their practices, and maintain their reputations when claims arise.
Orthopedic Surgery Practice
Saved $150,000 in legal fees and protected practice from closure
The Challenge
A three-physician orthopedic practice faced a $2.3 million malpractice lawsuit after a patient claimed a surgical error led to permanent disability. The previous insurance carrier offered only $50,000 to settle, far below the claim amount, and assigned an inexperienced defense attorney. The practice faced potential bankruptcy, loss of hospital privileges, and reputational damage that could end their careers.
The Atesa Solution
After switching to Atesa mid-crisis, we immediately engaged with the carrier and secured superior legal representation. Our comprehensive E&O policy provided:
- $3 million coverage limit with tail coverage included
- Board-certified medical malpractice defense attorney assigned
- Expert medical witnesses secured at carrier expense
- Crisis management and reputation protection services
- Full defense costs covered separate from policy limits
The Impact
Our defense team successfully demonstrated that the surgical technique was appropriate and the patient's condition resulted from pre-existing factors. The case was dismissed before trial, saving the practice from a potentially devastating verdict. Total defense costs of $150,000 were fully covered by the policy. The physicians maintained their hospital privileges, avoided reputational damage, and continue practicing today. Their previous policy would have left them personally liable for defense costs exceeding the $50,000 settlement offer.
Property Management Company
Protected from $650,000 tenant injury claim and avoided business closure
The Challenge
A property management company overseeing 45 rental properties was sued for $650,000 after a tenant suffered serious injuries from a balcony collapse. The tenant claimed the property manager failed to conduct proper safety inspections and ignored maintenance requests about structural issues. The lawsuit alleged professional negligence in property oversight and breach of duty to maintain safe conditions. With only a $300,000 general liability policy on the building itself, the property manager faced personal exposure for the remaining $350,000. The company's owner risked losing their business, personal home, and life savings if the claim succeeded.
The Atesa Solution
Fortunately, the property manager had secured a $2 million E&O policy through Atesa specifically designed for property management professionals. Our comprehensive coverage provided:
- $2 million per-claim E&O coverage for professional negligence
- Defense costs paid outside policy limits (not eroding coverage)
- Specialized property management defense attorney assigned
- Expert structural engineers and property management witnesses
- Coverage for failure to inspect, maintain, and respond to tenant complaints
The Impact
Our defense team demonstrated that the property manager had conducted regular inspections and promptly reported structural concerns to the property owner, who failed to authorize necessary repairs. The case settled for $425,000—$300,000 paid by the building's GL policy and $125,000 paid by the E&O policy. Defense costs of $110,000 were covered separately by the E&O policy. The property management company avoided personal bankruptcy, retained all clients, and continues operating successfully. Without the E&O coverage, the owner would have been personally liable for $235,000 (the $125,000 settlement plus $110,000 in defense costs), forcing business closure and personal asset liquidation. The $3,800/year E&O premium saved the business and protected the owner's livelihood.
Management Consulting Firm
Defended against frivolous $1.2M lawsuit with zero settlement
The Challenge
A boutique management consulting firm was sued for $1.2 million by a former client who claimed the firm's strategic recommendations led to business losses. The lawsuit alleged professional negligence and breach of contract, despite the client's failure to implement key recommendations. The firm's reputation was at stake, and the partners feared losing future clients due to the public lawsuit. Defense costs alone were projected at $200,000+ if the case went to trial.
The Atesa Solution
We secured comprehensive E&O coverage with aggressive defense provisions and worked closely with the carrier to mount a strong defense:
- $1 million per-claim coverage with consent-to-settle clause
- Firm retained right to refuse settlement (not forced to settle frivolous claims)
- Experienced business litigation defense attorney assigned
- Industry expert witnesses to validate consulting methodology
- Public relations support to protect firm reputation during litigation
The Impact
Our defense team filed a motion for summary judgment, demonstrating that the client's losses resulted from their failure to implement recommendations, not from faulty advice. The case was dismissed with prejudice before trial, with zero settlement paid. Defense costs of $95,000 were fully covered by the policy. The firm's reputation remained intact, and they actually gained three new clients who were impressed by their principled defense. The consent-to-settle clause prevented the carrier from forcing an unnecessary settlement.
Don't wait for a claim to discover your coverage is inadequate.
Professional Liability Insurance FAQs
Get answers to common questions about this coverage
Protect Your Professional Practice
Get a customized E&O / professional liability quote. We compare 40+ carriers to find you the best coverage.