What is Professional Liability insurance coverage?
Professional liability insurance can help protect Texas business owners and their employees if a client accuses them of making a business mistake or acting negligently.
Texas professional liability insurance could provide coverage for:
- Professional mistakes that affect another person or business financially
- Accusations of inaction, wrongdoing or other types of professional negligence
- Misrepresentation of services
With professional liability insurance, Texas business owners may be able to submit a claim to help cover related costs, whether an error was actually made or a client claims it was. For example:
- A Dallas accountant makes an error when filing paperwork, which results in a client missing out on significant tax advantages. Professional liability insurance can help cover costs related to the mistake.
- A Houston claims adjuster is accused of making a mistake while adjusting a claim for an insurance company. Professional liability insurance could help cover costs to defend against the accusation.
What is the difference between Professional Liability and E&O insurance?
Errors and omissions insurance, or E&O, is a term that’s often used interchangeably with professional liability insurance.
Professional liability and E&O typically provide the same coverage, but the preferred term varies by industry. E&O is primarily used in real estate, property management and insurance. A specific contractor’s E&O option is available for construction professionals.
Most other industries, including law, accounting, architecture and engineering, refer to this coverage as professional liability insurance.
Is Professional Liability insurance required in Texas?
Professional liability insurance is not required for most Texas businesses. However, coverage may be required to comply with standards in certain industries.
For example, Texas state or local government contract workers may be required to have professional liability insurance coverage. Texas healthcare employers sometimes require providers to have a type of professional liability coverage called malpractice insurance.
Even when it’s not required, it can be beneficial to have professional liability or errors and omissions insurance. Texas business owners often get this coverage for the following reasons:
Financial protection
Small businesses with professional liability or errors and omissions insurance in Texas may be better protected financially if they make a professional mistake or a client accuses them of negligence.
Work contracts
Some clients may ask for a certificate of insurance before they’ll sign a contract to work with you, especially for high-value projects. Without professional liability or E&O insurance, Texas business owners may lose out on potential jobs.
Licenses and permits
Professional liability coverage may be necessary for certain business licenses and certifications, or the city where you work may require it.
For instance, city contractors and subcontractors in Austin must have professional liability insurance with minimum coverage of $500,000 per claim.1
What types of businesses might need Professional Liability in Texas?
Texas errors and omissions insurance and professional liability insurance are common coverages for professional services, such as real estate professionals, lawyers, accountants and consultants.
However, businesses across many industries can benefit from this type of Texas business insurance.
This coverage could help your business if you make a mistake that costs someone money or face accusations of negligence or wrongdoing. Professional liability insurance can help resolve these issues quickly, which may allow you to avoid damage to your reputation and customer confrontations.
For example, a client could accuse a San Antonio architect of making a mistake in their blueprints, causing project costs and timelines to double. Professional liability insurance can help cover related expenses if the architect is sued for financial losses.
Similarly, if a real estate agent in El Paso neglects to list unsafe levels of radon detected on the property in a seller disclosure, E&O insurance can help cover related costs.
How much is Professional Liability insurance in Texas?
Professional liability insurance costs are determined according to a number of factors, including:
- The locations where you do business
- The type of work you do
- The number of employees you have
- Your work experience
- Your insurance claims history
- How high you set your limits
NEXT makes it easy to get affordable Texas E&O insurance or professional liability insurance online in about 10 minutes. In fact, 52% of our U.S. customers pay $45 or less in monthly premiums for this type of business insurance.**
Learn more about professional liability insurance costs.
How NEXT Insurance helps Texas businesses
NEXT provides Texas professional liability insurance policies designed for small businesses and self-employed workers.
It only takes about 10 minutes to get a quote, review your coverage options, choose your policies and download a certificate of insurance.
Start an instant quote online today.
Our team of licensed insurance advisors is standing by to assist you if you have any questions along the way.
