Professional indemnity insurance at a glance

What is professional indemnity insurance?

Anyone can make a mistake – but if your business is found liable for negligence, the costs can be financially devastating. Not only can it lead to an expensive lawsuit, but your business’ hard-earned reputation may be damaged as a result.

That’s why professional indemnity insurance matters – for help protecting your assets and brand if your advice causes a client to take legal action against you.

Who should consider it?

Professional indemnity insurance is mandatory in some industries, such as medicine, accounting, law and financial advisers – with the requirements differing from state to state.

But even in cases where it’s not required by law, it’s recommended for anyone who is providing professional services or advice in exchange for a fee – like, graphic designers, IT consultants and more. Regardless of your legal obligation, it’s often a customer requirement that you have this cover in place.

“Professional indemnity insurance helps cover the cost of legal action due to your professional advice.”


(Australian Government, Business.gov.au)

Did you know?

$1.109 M

The total value of professional indemnity claims in the 2019 underwriting year in Australia.

(APRA, National Claims and Policies Database, December 2020)

18,799

The number of professional indemnity claims paid in the 2019 underwriting year.

(APRA National Claims and Policy Database, December 2020)

768,000

The number of professional indemnity risks underwritten in Australia in 2021.

(KPMG General Insurance Insights, December 2021)

What can it cover?

The primary purpose of professional indemnity insurance is to provide cover for liability arising from a breach of professional duty.

Depending on your policy, professional indemnity insurance can cover:

Civil Liability

Civil liability to a third party arising out of the conduct of their professional business.

Inquiry Costs

The cost of defending an inquiry by a regulatory body into the professional conduct of the insured.

Defence Costs

The costs involved in defending a claim triggered by the policy.

Fidelity cover

Direct financial loss of the business caused by the dishonest or fraudulent conduct of an employee which is first discovered during the period of insurance.

Advancement of costs and expenses

Additional costs and expenses incurred during a claim.

What usually isn't covered?

Exclusions, the excess you need to pay and limits of liability can vary greatly depending on your insurer.

Policies generally won’t include cover for:

  • Commercial liabilities
  • Liabilities which results from fraud and dishonesty
  • Pollution
  • Unpaid fees

Case Study

Michael is an engineer who designs the supporting foundations of a residential property. He makes an error with the site calculations – which leads to the slab cracking and damage to the property of the owner. His company is liable for this loss, which could be anywhere between $150,000 up to the full value of the house. But because Michael has professional indemnity insurance, he’s covered for this amount – as well as any legal expenses if the matter goes to court.

FAQs

You might consider changing providers to get better rates, improved coverage, better customer service, or access to specialised policies that suit your evolving business needs.

Review your policy regularly, compare it with competitors’ offerings, and consult with an insurance professional to assess if your coverage aligns with your current business risks and needs.

Risks include potential coverage gaps, policy exclusions you might overlook, or losing loyalty benefits with your current insurer. So it is important to carefully review new policies to ensure they meet all your needs.

The process is usually fast once we have all the right paperwork, but it can vary depending on the complexity of your business and the type of coverage needed. This means it is best to be prepared and start looking before your existing insurance expires.

Some policies have cancellation fees or short-rate penalties. Check your policy or ask your current insurer about any potential fees before switching.

You’ll typically need to provide business details, claims history, financial information, and specifics about your operations, assets, and employees.

Coordinate the start date of your new policy with the end date of your old policy. We can help you minimise your exposure to risk when changing suppliers, but it is important that you start the process early.

An insurance broker or professional represents multiple insurance companies and works on your behalf to find the most suitable coverage. Direct insurers are individual companies that sell their own policies directly to businesses.

Brokers offer expertise, access to multiple insurers, personalised service, assistance with claims, and we can often negotiate better rates or coverage terms.

Brokers typically earn commissions from insurance companies. In most cases, you won’t pay directly; similar to a mortgage broker, they are paid by the insurers.

Often, yes. We have access to multiple insurers and can leverage our relationships to negotiate competitive rates, or have products that are not available to the public.

Look for someone with experience in your industry, good references, proper licensing, and a wide network of insurers. They will be your point of contact when something goes wrong, so also consider their communication style and responsiveness.

Generally, yes. Professionals like us typically manage most communications, including policy changes, claims, and renewals, acting as an intermediary between you and the insurer.

Yes, a good broker will explain complex terms, policy details, and coverage options in plain language to help you make informed decisions.

Your specific needs will depend on your industry and operations, so it is best to chat so we can guide you through the risks you may not be aware of. Common types of insurance include general liability, property, professional liability, workers’ compensation, cyber liability, and business interruption insurance.

Review your coverage annually at minimum, but it is also best practice to review when your business undergoes significant changes like expansion, new products/services, or changes in operations.

Not necessarily. Premiums depend on various factors. A new insurer might offer lower rates, especially if your business circumstances have changed favourably.

Yes, we can often help you bundle policies (like combining property and liability coverage) to get discounts and streamline your insurance management.

First, communicate your concerns to your insurance professional or the insurer directly. If issues persist, you can file a complaint or consider switching providers again.

Look beyond just the premium price. Compare coverage limits, deductibles, exclusions, and additional benefits. Consider the insurer’s financial stability and reputation for customer service as well. Most importantly, make sure you are comparing like-for-like coverage.