For the drawings everyone builds from.
Professional liability for architects, civil, structural, MEP and geotechnical engineers, surveyors, landscape architects and design-build firms.
By Sam Alishahi · CA Insurance License #4348151 · Reviewed October 2026 · How this page is researched
Design errors surface years later
A design error or omission can turn into a claim long after a project is built, which is why architects and engineers carry professional liability, usually on a claims-made basis with prior-acts coverage. Clients and public agencies often set minimum limits in their contracts.
Design-build contractors carry both a contractor's and a designer's exposure. I place A&E professional liability through a program that has specialized in design professionals for decades, alongside general liability and excess limits.
- Professional liabilityClaims from errors or omissions in your design work.
- Prior actsCoverage for past projects under claims-made policies.
- General liabilityOffice and site-visit exposures.
- Project and excess limitsHigher limits for large contracts.
What underwriters will ask
Having these ready means I can go to market on the first call. The quote form asks for the same things, and anything you don’t know yet can wait.
- Firm: disciplines, licensed professionals and years in practice.
- Revenue: annual billings by project type.
- Projects: residential share, condos and largest project.
- Contracts: use of written contracts and limitation of liability.
- Coverage now: carrier, limits and retroactive date.
- History: claims and disciplinary actions.
Architects & engineers insurance, answered
Why is A&E coverage claims-made?
Design claims often appear years after the work, so coverage responds to claims made while the policy is active, with a retroactive date covering prior work.
Do condo and residential projects cost more?
Usually. Residential and condo work carries more construction defect exposure, and carriers price it accordingly.
What happens if I retire or close the firm?
An extended reporting (tail) endorsement keeps coverage for claims made after the policy ends.
What do underwriters rate on?
Disciplines, billings, project types, contract practices, limits and claims history.
Do you offer architects and engineers professional liability outside California?
Yes. Clients across the country send the same quote form. California policies are placed directly; outside California the request is handled together with a partner agency in your state, and the shopping across carriers works the same way. Rules, minimums and markets differ by state — see insurance requirements by state.
Send your current policy. I'll shop it.
Your disciplines, billings and current declarations page are enough to start.
Alishahi Insurance · Saman Alishahi, independent insurance broker, California License #4348151. General information, not a quote or a promise of coverage; coverage depends on underwriting and the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy actually issued.
Tell me how to reach you. I’ll take it from there.
Takes about 30 seconds. I review every request personally and call you back, usually the same day.
(424) 552-4545Answered 24/7 · CA License #4348151
Get a reminder before your renewal.
Tell me when your policy renews and I’ll email you about six weeks before, when it’s worth comparing. One email, no calls.