This issue of ProNetwork News is meant to serve as a basic reference guide to the liability insurance coverages typically purchased by design firms.
Let’s start with a key definition.
CLAIMS-MADE vs. OCCURRENCE
Most liability policies are written on an Occurrence policy form. Coverage is triggered on the date of the “occurrence” (defined as an accident, including continuous or repeated exposure to substantially the same general harmful conditions, causing damage). A claim asserted against the insured may be brought well after the occurrence.
In contrast, professional liability claims are often brought many years after an alleged act, error or omission. Insurance companies had to evaluate their exposures and better determine the premium necessary to cover such risk, so the Claims-Made policy form was created. The coverage trigger is the date the claim is made, and coverage applies only to alleged wrongful acts that happened after the retroactive date of your policy. Once the policy is canceled or not renewed, all coverage will cease.
Today, virtually all professional liability policies are provided on Claims-Made forms. In order to establish coverage, three conditions must be met:
- a policy must be in place at the time a claim is made
- the “retroactive” or “prior acts” date on the policy must be dated at least as far back as the services giving rise to the claim were provided
- notice must be provided to the insurer within the policy term or during a specified grace period
The advice of your insurance advisor is essential when reviewing Claims-Made policies with respect to mergers, acquisitions, splits and retirement.
This has been an excerpt of the May 2013 issue of ProNetwork News. The newsletter goes on to deal with all types of liability coverage, including Professional Liability Insurance, Commercial General Liability Insurance, Owners and Contractors Protective Liability Insurance, Workers’ Compensation and Employers Liability Insurance, Umbrella Liability Insurance, Employment Practices Liability Insurance, Directors and Officers Liability Insurance, and many more! Download the full PDF version of the newsletter here.
This information is provided as a service of a/e ProNet, an international association of independent insurance brokers dedicated to serving the design profession since 1988. We are dedicated to representing the best interests of our design clients as a trusted and impartial source of information on professional liability insurance, risk management, loss prevention and continuing education. Please visit our website www.aepronet.org for additional information.
About the Authors:
Meade Collinsworth is President of Collinsworth, Alter, Dowling and French Group, Inc., a brokerage which serves design professionals, contractors and environmental consultants. Mr. Collinsworth specializes in commercial, management and professional liability insurance placement and risk management.
Dan F. Middleton, CPCU, ARM and Executive Director Emeritus of a/e ProNet, completed his career as Vice President, Construction, of the Ohio office of Willis-Corroon Corporation. He specialized in risk management and insurance for design firms and major construction companies.
Warren Redeker is Executive Vice President of Prosurance/Redeker Group, Ltd., New York, NY, an independent brokerage firm that focuses on insurance products and risk management services for design professionals.
F. David Shipley was founder and President of Shipley & Associates, Inc. Mr. Shipley had specialized in risk management and insurance placement for design professionals, land surveyors, landscape architects and environmental consultants prior to the sale of his business.
Earleen R. Thomas, of Cornerstone Specialty Insurance Services, has provided insurance and supportive risk management services to design professionals across the country and also has worked as a specialist broker for finance and accounting firms.
Michael Welbel is founder and President of M.G. Welbel and Associates, Inc. With a background in the resolution of professional liability claims, his business is focused on helping design firms avoid claims, and manage their risk and insurance needs.
