Is architect E&O the same as professional liability?

The terms commonly refer to the same category of coverage. Check that the actual insured-services wording includes the architecture work your firm performs.

Does general liability replace insurance for design errors?

No. Review professional liability for design-services allegations separately from general liability. The policy wording, not the label alone, determines the protection.

Does a client contract determine whether a claim is insured?

No. The contract can create obligations, but it does not rewrite the insurance policy. Compare its requirements with the proposal and seek legal review of the agreement.

Should completed projects be discussed at renewal?

Yes. Bring prior-policy details and discuss prior work, the retroactive date and reporting conditions. Do not assume completing a project ends the possibility of a claim.

Business · By industry · Architecture firms

Insurance for architecture firms

An architecture firm's insurance review should start with the design services it provides and the responsibilities it accepts. Professional liability, also called errors and omissions insurance, addresses specified allegations about those services. General liability, office property and other business policies address different risks. Match each proposal to your projects, contracts and prior work.

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Updated November 12, 2026

Who this page is for

Architecture practices preparing for a new project or renewal
Independent architects and firms using engineering or other subconsultants
Design firms changing services, ownership or insurers

Where this applies

For firms operating in Washington, Idaho, Oregon or Arizona. Describe every state where the firm works and every service it provides. This page explains questions to review, not state licensing requirements or confirmation that a particular project is eligible for insurance.

General information vs. our service

What NRG does, and what it doesn't

What NRG does

Starts with your services, operating states and current policies to establish what insurance assistance is available
Discusses relevant policy questions and options within the insurers and programs NRG can access
Explains the terms of any proposal before you decide

What NRG doesn't do

Promise that every discipline, project or operation qualifies for coverage
Provide legal, engineering, environmental-compliance or licensing advice
Bind insurance through an inquiry or decide whether a claim is covered

What to review

Architecture firm insurance questions, answered

Why does an architect review professional liability separately from general liability?

Professional liability concerns allegations that professional services caused a loss, such as a design error or omitted specification. General liability addresses other covered injury or property-damage allegations. A premises-liability policy does not establish that the firm's design work is insured. Read the professional-services definition and exclusions in the actual proposal.

Source: The Hartford, architect professional liability (accessed November 13, 2026)

Which architecture services and project roles should the application describe?

Describe the full assignment, including work performed after drawings are delivered. Separate your own services from a subconsultant's and flag any construction, development or ownership role. Use the same project information in each quote request so an apparently cheaper proposal does not omit part of the work.

Describe the architecture firm's responsibilities
Project detail	What to document
Design and specifications	Building types, project locations, design stages, deliverables and whether the firm signs or seals documents.
Construction-phase services	Site visits, observations, submittal review and contract-administration duties, including what the agreement does not assign to the firm.
Subconsultants and joint work	Who contracts with the client, who retains each consultant and who is responsible for coordination or review.
Changes to the business	New services, design-build participation, ownership interests, predecessor practices and work accepted during the coming policy year.

Source: The Hanover, architects and engineers professional liability (accessed November 13, 2026)

What should an architecture firm check in a client contract?

Compare the scope and insurance requirements before signing. A promise to pay a client's losses can be broader than the liability a professional policy covers. AIA identifies indemnification language as a risk to review with an attorney. Ask the insurance reviewer to identify policy questions while counsel reviews the legal obligations.

Bring the full agreement, not just the certificate request
Contract item	Question for the review
Scope and standard of care	Does the contract promise services or a result beyond the assignment described in the application?
Indemnity and defense obligations	Which losses or defense expenses does the firm agree to pay, and how do those promises compare with policy terms?
Limits and duration	Which policies and limits are requested, and how long does the client expect coverage to be maintained?
Subconsultant terms	Are responsibilities, insurance requirements and document-retention expectations consistent across the agreements?

Source: American Institute of Architects, indemnification clauses (accessed November 13, 2026)

What happens to prior projects when the firm changes insurers?

Check the claims-made terms before replacing a policy. Compare the retroactive date, reporting requirements and treatment of prior work. If a policy ends, ask whether an extended reporting period is available and what it covers. A completed project may still generate an allegation later.

Source: The Hartford, claims-made and occurrence policy timing (accessed November 13, 2026)

How much does architect professional liability insurance cost?

There is no single premium for every architecture practice. The work performed, firm profile, limits, deductible and claims history affect the review. Request quotes using the same scope and coverage assumptions, and identify any exclusions, sublimits or separate charges before comparing totals.

Source: The Hartford, architect professional liability (accessed November 13, 2026)

What other business insurance questions should an architecture practice ask?

List the office, computers, project files, staff and work-related travel alongside the design exposure. Ask about property and business interruption, cyber incidents, vehicles and workers' compensation as applicable. Identify which policies are included in the proposal and which need a separate review.