Insurance for Engineers and Architects

Engineers and architects carry a unique responsibility. Your advice, designs and certifications are relied on for years after a project is finished. A claim of error, omission or negligence can arrive long after the work is done, and defending one can be costly, whether or not the allegation is true.

We arrange insurance for engineering and architectural practices, from sole consultants to multi-disciplinary firms. That includes civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, geotechnical and environmental engineers, building designers, draftspeople and project managers. We work to understand the services you provide and the contracts you sign, so your cover fits the way you practise.

Key covers to consider

• Professional Indemnity: protection against claims of negligence or breach of professional duty arising from your advice, designs or services
• Public and Products Liability: injury or property damage on site visits, at your office or at a client's premises
• Business Pack: office contents, equipment, and interruption to your business
• Management Liability: employment disputes, OH&S, and claims against the business and its owners and managers for alleged mismanagement
• Cyber Liability: project files, client data and email fraud
• Workers Compensation: compulsory cover for businesses with employees and apprentices
• Commercial Motor: vehicles used for site visits and inspections

Common questions

Why do engineers and architects need professional indemnity insurance?

Clients, head contractors and government bodies often require it before you can take on work. It also protects your practice against the cost of defending and settling claims about your professional services.

What happens to my cover if I retire or close my practice?

Professional indemnity usually only responds to claims made while a policy is in force. Run-off cover can protect you after you stop practising. Talk to us before you let a policy lapse.

Do my contracts affect my insurance?

They can. Some contracts ask you to accept more liability than your policy covers. We're happy to look at contract insurance clauses with you.

Why are Professional Indemnity premiums higher for Engineers?

Engineering errors can lead to catastrophic structural or financial failures. Even when an engineer is only partially at fault, the legal and payout costs involved are immense, and drive up the premiums. In addition to this, following on from major building defects and international incidents (like Grenfell and local cladding issues), many insurers have pulled out entirely or restricted coverage for high-risk fields like structural, geotechnical, civil, and fire engineering. Fewer insurance providers mean less competition and higher premiums.

Do we need cyber insurance?

It is recommended as it could potentially protect your business from claims arising from the loss of project files, client data, or potential ongoing email fraud.

How Much Public & Products Liability Cover Do I Need?

It depends on the work you do and who you do it for. Many head contractors, councils, property managers and commercial sites set a minimum amount in their contracts before you can start. If you lease your premises, your lease will usually set a minimum level of public liability you must hold as a tenant, and often asks for the landlord to be noted on your policy. So check your contracts, your lease and any tender or site requirements first. Also think about the worst injury or property damage your work could realistically cause.

Cover level	When it's usually needed
$5 million	Small or hobby-sized businesses with lower-risk work, few or no visitors to their premises, and no lease or contract asking for more.
$10 million	Suits most trades and businesses working on client premises or dealing with the public. Often the minimum set by commercial leases, markets and event organisers, and many subcontract agreements.
$20 million	Suits higher-risk work such as specialist trades, construction, mining, transport operators, or working at heights. Often required by head contractors, government bodies, councils, shopping centres, mine sites and larger commercial clients.

We'll look at your contracts, your lease and your work, and help you choose a limit that fits.

Talk to a broker who knows your profession

Tell us about your practice and we'll do the comparing, the paperwork and the advocating.

Request a quote for your practice