Professional Liability Insurance in Colorado
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Professional liability insurance in Colorado

Professional liability insurance, also called errors and omissions insurance (E&O), protects small business owners against the cost of client lawsuits over unsatisfactory work. In Colorado, physicians and real estate professionals are required to carry this coverage.

What is covered under professional liability insurance in Colorado?

Professional liability insurance covers the cost of lawsuits related to the quality of your work, including legal fees and settlements.

It covers the following types of client claims for many Colorado businesses:

  • Accusations of negligence, such as an architect who creates an unsafe building design.
  • Work mistakes and oversights, such as an accountant who makes a mathematical error or fails to include the right data in their work resulting in a financial loss to the client.
  • Inaccurate advice, such as an attorney who misinterprets a legal statute that results in a costly mistake.
  • Missed deadlines and undelivered services, such as a web designer who fails to build a website before a client’s busy season.

By Colorado law, all licensed physicians in the state must carry a malpractice insurance policy with a $1 million per-occurrence limit and a $3 million aggregate limit.

What are Colorado’s professional liability insurance requirements?

Colorado law requires physicians and real estate professionals to carry a professional liability insurance policy. You might also need this coverage to sign a contract or to get a license in your field.

Healthcare professionals

Professional liability is referred to as medical malpractice insurance when it applies to doctors and other healthcare professionals, such as therapists. By Colorado law, all licensed physicians in the state must carry a malpractice insurance policy with a $1 million per-occurrence limit and a $3 million aggregate limit.

Applicants for Colorado medical licensure must also purchase this insurance coverage.

Real estate agents

In the real estate industry, professional liability insurance is referred to as errors and omissions insurance. From appraisers to brokers, all of the professions regulated by the Colorado Division of Real Estate are required to carry E&O insurance.

Colorado mortgage loan originators and appraisal management companies must also have a surety bond.

Attorneys

For lawyers, professional liability is also known as legal malpractice insurance. Colorado doesn’t require attorneys to carry legal malpractice insurance, but all private practice attorneys must disclose whether they carry this coverage.

Get professional liability insurance for your Colorado business

Who should carry professional liability insurance in Colorado?

Any business that provides a professional service or expert advice should carry professional liability coverage, as a client could sue if your service or advice causes accidental harm. Even an unwarranted lawsuit can be expensive between attorney’s fees, court costs, or a settlement.

Industries often at risk for professional liability claims include:

Technology professionals

IT consultants and other tech professionals are susceptible to lawsuits related to system downtime, data breaches, missed deadlines, and errors. They can bundle E&O insurance and cyber insurance into one policy—tech E&O—to protect against all of these risks.

Building design businesses

Those who work in building design, such as architects and engineers, are at risk of a lawsuit if a client accuses them of making a costly mistake. For example, a bridge could develop cracks over time, or a project could be delayed for months due to unforeseen circumstances.

Contractors and construction businesses

Those who work in construction and contracting, such as carpenters and electricians, could face a client lawsuit over construction delays. They could also face accusations of negligence if the customer is dissatisfied with their work or must make expensive changes or repairs after a job is finished.

Insurance professionals

Insurance professionals, including agents and insurance brokers, often deal with large amounts of financial data and must use their best judgment in advising their clients. If a client doesn’t have enough coverage, or the right type of coverage, they might blame their agent or the insurance agency for failing to make sure they were protected.

Even if you’ve done nothing wrong, a disgruntled customer might file a lawsuit if your advice leads to a financial loss.

How much does professional liability insurance cost in Colorado?

View video transcript.

Get professional liability insurance to protect yourself from claims that you didn't deliver on a deadline, or made a costly mistake.

Some clients require you to have this policy. It can protect you from expensive lawsuits for only about 60 dollars per month.

Don't put your business at risk. Apply for your policy today!

Alert. Alert.

The average cost of professional liability insurance nationwide is $61 per month. In Colorado, the average premium is $59 per month.

The cost of professional liability coverage depends on several factors, such as:

  • Your type of business, industry, and similar risk factors
  • Coverage limits and deductible
  • Your business size and location, such as Denver
  • Day-to-day operations
  • Your claims history

How does professional liability insurance work for Colorado small businesses?

Professional liability insurance covers your legal defense costs if you’re sued over a mistake in your professional work.

Even if you’ve done nothing wrong, a legal battle can be expensive. In addition to your attorney’s hourly rate, you’ll likely be charged for administrative costs such as copying, filing, and travel expenses. You may also have to pay for expert witnesses to testify on your behalf, a court-ordered legal judgment, or a settlement to avoid trial.

Professional liability insurance covers all the above, up to the coverage limits of your policy. The policy limits you choose should take into account how expensive it can be to fight a professional liability lawsuit. You also need to determine the amount of coverage required to obtain a contract or work in a certain field.

This policy can be quite affordable for small, low-risk businesses. Contact an insurance agent if you need help choosing the right coverage limits or other options.

Are there any exclusions in professional liability insurance?

A professional liability policy covers a wide range of lawsuits, but it won't cover intentional harm you cause to others. Most insurance companies exclude:

  • The illegal violation of any law, regulation, or statute
  • Any services you provide under the name of another entity, such as a subsidiary business or organization not listed on your policy
  • Defamation, such as libel and slander
  • Discrimination

Does general liability insurance include professional liability coverage?

General liability insurance doesn’t include professional liability coverage – it's a different kind of business liability insurance. Commercial general liability covers common business risks and liability claims such as customer bodily injuries, customer property damage, and advertising injuries like copyright infringement.

If a customer falls and suffers an injury at your workplace, it would be covered by your general liability policy, including any legal defense costs. If someone sues you over unsatisfactory work, it would be covered by your professional liability coverage.

Read more about general liability vs. professional liability insurance.

What other types of insurance should CO businesses consider?

General liability and professional liability are often the first two policies bought by small business owners. However, they aren’t the only types of business insurance coverage you need.

Workers’ compensation insurance is required for all Colorado businesses with employees. Workers’ comp covers medical expenses and disability benefits for work-related injuries and illnesses.

Commercial property insurance covers your business’s physical location and equipment. It’s often required to sign leases.

A business owner’s policy (BOP) combines general liability coverage and commercial property insurance. It’s usually less expensive than buying each policy separately.

Commercial auto insurance is required in Colorado for any vehicles used solely for work purposes.

Cyber insurance coverage pays for costs related to data breaches and cyberattacks, including the cost of notifying affected customers.

Employment practices liability insurance (EPLI) protects against legal expenses related to claims of harassment, discrimination, wrongful termination, and other violations of employees’ rights.

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Professional liability vs. errors and omissions insurance
Professional liability and errors and omissions insurance both protect businesses from expensive lawsuits caused by unsatisfactory work. The language used may differ by industry.

How do I get professional liability insurance for my Colorado business?

Complete Insureon’s easy online application today to get business insurance quotes from top-rated U.S. providers. Our licensed insurance agents can help answer any questions and provide advice. Once you find the right Colorado business insurance, you can begin coverage in less than 24 hours.

Updated: July 26, 2023
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