Professional Liability Insurance — Frequently Asked Questions

Errors & omissions (E&O) insurance, also called professional liability, protects professionals against claims that their work contained errors, was late, or failed to meet expectations — and the cost of defending those claims. Defense alone can cost tens of thousands of dollars even when a claim has no merit.

California does not mandate E&O for most professions. In practice, client contracts, lenders, licensing obligations, and co-counsel or referral arrangements make coverage necessary for most working professionals. Going without it leaves any claim — even a baseless one — entirely out of pocket.

Pricing depends on your profession, revenue, coverage limits, deductibles, and claims history. Solo attorneys and small firms often find coverage starts around $1,000 per year, tax preparers can pay from roughly $300 to $1,500, and other professions vary widely. These are general ranges, not quotes — actual pricing varies by carrier and underwriting.

A common starting point is $1,000,000 per claim / $1,000,000 aggregate. The right limit depends on your contracts, the size of the engagements you take, and what your clients or lenders require. We help you match limits to your actual exposure rather than guessing.

Professional liability is typically written on a claims-made basis: the policy in force when a claim is reported is the one that responds, and its retroactive date determines which past work is covered. That's why gaps in coverage and tail coverage (extended reporting endorsements) matter when you switch carriers or retire.

Tail coverage (an extended reporting endorsement) keeps a claims-made policy responsive to claims reported after the policy ends. You need it when retiring, leaving practice, or switching to a new carrier that doesn't cover your prior work — otherwise your past work becomes uninsured going forward.

No. General liability covers bodily injury and property damage claims. Professional liability covers financial losses caused by your professional work or advice. Tech firms should also note that GL does not cover cyber incidents — data breach costs need cyber liability coverage.

You fill out one short form, and we shop your coverage across multiple A-rated carriers, then present your options with clear explanations. Quotes are free with no obligation, and our licensed brokers walk you through the differences so you can choose with confidence.

California is our specialty — we're licensed in California (License #0G81238) with dedicated pages for cities across the state and over 25 years of experience serving California professionals. Dean Hamid also writes coverage for clients in other states; contact us to discuss your situation.

Our quotes are free and come with no obligation. As an independent broker, we're paid by the carriers when a policy is placed — we represent you, not the insurer, and compare the market to find the best fit for your coverage needs and budget.

Many professionals receive competitive indications within one business day of completing a quote request. Binding coverage depends on the carrier's underwriting, and some professions or risks take longer. If you need proof of coverage for a contract deadline, tell us and we'll prioritize it.

Yes. Beyond E&O for eight professions plus specialty risks, we offer business insurance (business owners packages, workers' compensation, employment practices liability, cyber liability, directors & officers) and personal lines (auto, homeowners), plus specialty programs such as peptide and GLP-1 product liability.