Insurance and Risk Services

Insurance and Risk Services

General Liability Insurance for Engineering Firms

Protect your firm against common third-party bodily injury, property damage, and business liability claims.

About General Liability

About General Liability

Protection Beyond Professional Services

General Liability Insurance for Engineering Firms addresses everyday business risks that are separate from professional design errors. A visitor could be injured at your office, your team could accidentally damage property at a client location, or your firm could face another covered third-party liability claim.

The U.S. Small Business Administration describes general liability insurance as coverage for financial losses related to bodily injury, property damage, medical expenses, certain personal and advertising injuries, legal defense, settlements, and judgments.

Why General Liability Matters

Why General Liability Matters

Why It Matters for Engineering Firms

Why It Matters for Engineering Firms

Third-Party Injuries

A client, visitor, or other third party can be injured in connection with your business operations.

Property Damage

Accidental damage to property may create a liability claim that is separate from your professional design work.

Client Requirements

Many commercial agreements require general liability coverage and specific limits before your firm can begin work.

Jobsite and Office Exposure

Site visits, client meetings, inspections, and office operations can create risks outside professional engineering services.

What to Consider

What to Consider

Where Everyday Exposure Can Add Up

The right solution should reflect the firm’s actual services, agreements, people, projects, and growth plans.

Required Limits

Required Limits

Compare your client's required limits with the coverage your firm carries before signing the agreement.

Compare your client's required limits with the coverage your firm carries before signing the agreement.

Additional Insured Requests

Additional Insured Requests

Some contracts require clients or other parties to be added as additional insureds for certain operations.

Some contracts require clients or other parties to be added as additional insureds for certain operations.

Subcontractor Exposure

Subcontractor Exposure

Review how subcontractors are used, what insurance they carry, and what your contracts require of them.

Review how subcontractors are used, what insurance they carry, and what your contracts require of them.

Policy Exclusions

Policy Exclusions

Understand which business activities, professional services, property, or other exposures fall outside the policy.

Understand which business activities, professional services, property, or other exposures fall outside the policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does general liability insurance cover for an engineering firm?

It generally addresses covered claims involving third-party bodily injury, property damage, and certain personal or advertising injuries. Exact coverage depends on the policy.

Is general liability the same as professional liability?

No. General liability focuses on common business liability exposures. Professional liability focuses on allegations involving your professional engineering services.

Do engineering firms that mainly work in an office need general liability?

An office-based firm can still have visitors, lease requirements, client contracts, site visits, or other exposures. The need should be evaluated based on the firm's actual operations.

Why does my client want to be listed as an additional insured?

Some contracts require additional insured status for certain liability exposures connected with your operations. The requested wording should be compared with the policy before agreeing to it.

Can general liability be included in a Business Owner's Policy?

Yes. Eligible small businesses can often obtain general liability together with commercial property and business income coverage through a Business Owner's Policy.

Related Services

Related Services

Continue Building Your Firm’s Risk Strategy

Continue Building Your Firm’s Risk Strategy

Not Sure What Your Firm Needs?

Tell us what you’re working on, what stage your firm is in, and what questions you have. We’ll help you understand your options.

Not Sure What Your Firm Needs?

Tell us what you’re working on, what stage your firm is in, and what questions you have. We’ll help you understand your options.

Not Sure What Your Firm Needs?

Tell us what you’re working on, what stage your firm is in, and what questions you have. We’ll help you understand your options.

Not Sure What Your Firm Needs?

Tell us what you’re working on, what stage your firm is in, and what questions you have. We’ll help you understand your options.