Pennsylvania, the birthplace of independence, is filled with opportunities for intrepid lawyers. Whether you’re working independently or as the owner of a law firm, one aspect of running your business is purchasing insurance to secure your practice.
To ensure proper coverage, the first step is to evaluate your business risks and key factors. If you plan to rent commercial property, you will likely be asked to show proof of general liability insurance and/or property insurance as part of your lease agreement. Pennsylvania state law requires workers’ compensation insurance for practices with at least one employee. Sole proprietors can elect for this coverage, but it is not mandated by law.
While Pennsylvania state law does not require lawyers to carry professional liability insurance, it does mandate that new clients be notified if lawyers do not carry a policy of at least $100,000 per incident and $300,000 per year. This type of insurance is also called errors and omissions or lawyer malpractice insurance. Each year, attorneys are also required to disclose whether or not they have this policy to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.
Cyber liability insurance can help pay for recovery costs that result from a cyberattack, such as a data breach. Cybercrime rates are increasing and practices are regularly tasked with storing sensitive client data, making this policy an important one for lawyers to consider.
Insureon makes shopping for insurance easy with industry-leading technology that gathers quotes from top U.S. carriers that fit your needs. Read more to find out which policies are most common for lawyers in Pennsylvania, and start an application to get your free quotes today.
Find the right insurance policies for your law firm
The most common policies for Pennsylvania lawyers vary depending on a number of factors, including revenue, client contracts, and partnerships. The table below illustrates which policies might work best for your business type.
| Business type |
General liability / BOP |
Professional liability |
Workers' comp |
Cyber liability |
| 1099 or independent contractor |
X |
X |
|
X |
| Business owner with employees |
X |
X |
X |
X |
| Solo business owner |
X |
X |
|
X |
General liability insurance: General liability insurance is the foundation of a lawyer’s business protection with coverage that extends to bodily injury, client property damage, advertising injury, and the cost of legal defense. Most commercial leases require you to have this coverage.
Professional liability insurance: Many clients require proof of professional liability insurance before entering contracts for professional services. This policy, also called errors and omissions insurance or lawyer malpractice insurance, can help cover legal expenses if you’re sued for unsatisfactory work or a business discrepancy.
Business owner's policy (BOP): Lawyers sometimes qualify for a business owner’s policy. This package helps your business save money by bundling commercial property insurance with general liability at an affordable rate.
Cyber liability insurance: Cyber liability insurance can protect lawyers who suffer a data breach or cyberattack by helping with recovery expenses. You may need this policy if you handle sensitive data such as credit card numbers, passwords, or Social Security numbers.
Pennsylvania workers' compensation: Pennsylvania state law requires workers’ compensation coverage for all small businesses that employ one or more workers. If an employee is injured on the job, workers’ comp can help pay for medical fees and lost wages. Independent contractors or solo business owners can cover themselves under a workers’ compensation policy if they wish to, but it is not a legal requirement in Pennsylvania. While lawyers are less likely to sustain on-the-job injuries than workers in other professions, accidents can still happen. Your practice’s specialization can cause some variance in your risk of injury. Costly injuries resulting from a fall or other mishap can affect lawyers in all practice areas.
Business insurance costs for lawyers in Pennsylvania
Perhaps due to a favorable cost of living and doing business in Pennsylvania, insurance coverage expenses trend a bit lower than the national average in most areas, according to an analysis of Insureon applications. Professional liability insurance is much lower than the national rate. This is significant as you are legally obligated under Pennsylvania state law to inform your clients and the state in writing if you have decided to go without the malpractice coverage usually included in those policies. Without an errors and omissions policy you would not have any financial protection in the event of a malpractice suit. In all, lawyers in Pennsylvania can expect to spend less than $175 per month to secure their small business.
Save time and money with Insureon
Insureon’s industry-leading technology helps lawyers in Pennsylvania save time and money shopping for insurance by comparing policies from dozens of top U.S. carriers. Simply apply online and review quotes for the policies that best fit your business needs. Our insurance specialists are licensed in Pennsylvania and can answer your questions as you consider coverage.
To make the application go even quicker, have this information ready:
- Workforce details, such as the number and types of employees.
- Current and projected revenue.
- Business partnerships.
- Insurance history and prior claims.
- Commercial lease insurance requirements.
Apply for free lawyer insurance quotes today.