- Professional liability insurance
Professional liability insurance, also called errors and omissions insurance, protects small businesses by covering legal defense costs, settlements, and judgments from client lawsuits claiming that work was unsatisfactory.
Professional liability insurance covers lawsuits over work mistakes
Contracting and construction mistakes, such as failure to follow a blueprint, can be financially devastating for your client. As a result, your business could be sued to recoup losses. Contractors' professional liability insurance can provide the protection your business needs when facing accusations of negligence or errors.
This policy offers liability coverage related to:
- Failure to deliver promised services
- Negligence in providing services
- Errors and oversights
This coverage can be added to a general liability policy, usually at a discounted rate.
What coverage can professional liability provide for construction businesses and contractors?
Failure to deliver promised services
Delays are common in the construction industry, but when it affects your client’s bottom line, you could face a lawsuit. If a customer sues a carpenter or other construction professional for not meeting a deadline or failing to deliver promised results, this policy can pay for your legal expenses, such as hiring a lawyer.
Negligence in providing services
If a customer accuses your business of negligence – whether or not you’re at fault – you could face a costly lawsuit. Contractors’ professional liability insurance can help with court costs, attorney’s fees, and judgments or settlements when a client questions the quality of your carpentry, plumbing, or electrical work.
Errors and oversights
If a client claims that your work mistake caused financial damage, you could face a legal battle that leads to bankruptcy or worse. For example, an electrician could be sued for failing to repair faulty wiring that led to a costly reinstall. Professional liability insurance pays for legal expenses related to work mistakes, including judgments if the court rules against you.
Other policies for construction and contracting businesses to consider
While professional liability insurance shields against accusations of work errors, it does not offer complete protection. No matter your specialty – general contracting, plumbing, or electrical – injuries and property damage are part of the trade. Other policies to consider include:
General liability insurance: This policy can cover expenses related to customer injury and property damage, along with advertising injury.
Commercial auto insurance: This policy covers vehicles owned by your construction or contracting business. It pays for damages related to accidents, theft, weather, and vandalism.
Workers’ compensation: Required in nearly every state for construction businesses that have employees, this policy can cover medical expenses for work-related injuries and illnesses.
Builder’s risk insurance: This policy can pay for damage done to a structure still under construction. It can cover costs resulting from fire, vandalism, on-site theft, and more.
Contractor’s tools and equipment insurance: This policy helps pay for repair or replacement of a contractor’s tools and equipment if they are lost, stolen, or damaged.
Get free quotes and compare policies with Insureon
Are you ready to safeguard your construction business with professional liability insurance? Complete Insureon’s easy online application today. Once you find the right policy, you can begin coverage in less than 24 hours.