Home / Business / Professional Liability

Professional Liability Insurance in Ohio, for the advice and services you sell.

Errors and omissions coverage for the claim that says your work cost a client money. We're an independent agency in Marion and Powell, so we compare several insurance companies and coordinate it with the rest of your coverage.

Get a Professional Liability Quote or call (740) 387-8335

1990Licensed Since

5.0On Google (88 Reviews)

MultipleCarriers Compared

2Ohio Offices

A local business team standing outside their Ohio storefront

The Quick Answer

Professional liability, also called errors and omissions (E&O), helps pay defense costs, settlements and judgments when a client says a mistake, oversight or missed expectation in your professional service cost them money, even when the claim has no merit. General liability doesn't cover that. It matters for consultants, real estate professionals, accountants, counselors and health and aesthetic professionals, where it's often called malpractice. Most policies are claims-made, so retroactive dates and tail coverage matter when you switch carriers or retire. eGoodwin Insurance is an independent agency in Marion and Powell that compares multiple carriers. Call (740) 387-8335.

Also called: Errors & omissions (E&O), malpractice
What it covers: Claims your professional work caused a loss
Watch for: Claims-made forms, retro dates, tail coverage
Call first: (740) 387-8335

Professional Liability, The Short Version

You can do good work and still get sued. This is the coverage for that.

If you give advice or provide a professional service, a client can claim you got it wrong: a missed deadline, a calculation error, a recommendation that didn't work out, a service that didn't meet their expectations. Even when you did everything right, you still have to answer the claim. Professional liability insurance, also called errors and omissions (E&O), is built for exactly that.

It typically helps pay attorney fees, settlements and judgments when a client alleges negligence in your professional work. Good policies defend you even if the claim turns out to be baseless, and they can respond when a case settles before it ever reaches court. Some policies also extend to claims tied to a client's personal information, though cyber liability is usually the fuller answer there.

For doctors, dentists, nurses and aesthetic providers, the same idea goes by another name: malpractice. It's a specialized coverage, so we focus on coordinating it with the rest of the practice's program, making sure the professional coverage, property, general liability and cyber line up with no gaps between them.

We're an independent agency, so we represent multiple insurance companies. We shop your coverage across several carriers, compare what comes back, and explain the fine print in plain English. Nothing on this page is legal advice.

What professional liability typically covers. And what it doesn't.

Forms differ a lot between professions and carriers, so treat this as a general guide. We'll walk through the actual policy with you.

Core

Negligence

Errors, omissions & negligence

Claims that you made a mistake, left something out, gave bad advice or failed to deliver the professional service you promised, and that it cost the client money.

Core

Defense

Legal defense, even if baseless

Attorney fees and court costs to respond to a claim, whether or not it has merit. On many policies, defense costs are paid from the limit, so the limit you choose matters.

Core

Settlements

Settlements & judgments

Amounts you're legally required to pay, including settlements reached before trial. Many policies ask for your consent before settling, depending on the wording.

Health & aesthetics

Malpractice

Malpractice coordination

For medical, dental and aesthetic offices, professional coverage for patient care is specialized. We coordinate it with the practice's property, liability and cyber coverage so nothing falls between policies.

Ask us

Prior acts

Prior acts & retroactive date

Claims-made policies generally cover work done after the retroactive date. Keeping that date when you switch carriers can protect work you've already done.

Not covered

Other risks

What E&O usually leaves out

Bodily injury and property damage at your office belong on general liability. Intentional wrongdoing, fines and penalties, and contractual guarantees are commonly excluded, depending on the policy.

Who needs professional liability. Anyone paid for what they know.

If clients rely on your advice, expertise or service, they can claim it fell short. These are the professionals we work with most.

Consultants

Business, IT, marketing and management consultants. A recommendation that doesn't work out, or a project that runs late, can turn into a claim for the client's lost money.

Real estate professionals

Agents, brokers and property managers can face claims over disclosures, contracts and transactions. Many carry E&O as a matter of course.

Accountants & bookkeepers

Tax preparers, bookkeepers and accounting firms. A missed deadline or a calculation error can lead to penalties a client expects you to cover.

Health professionals

Physicians, dentists, therapists and other practices. We coordinate malpractice coverage with the rest of the practice's program. See our health professionals page.

Aesthetics & med spas

Injectables, lasers and skin treatments need coverage that matches the services you offer and who performs them. See our aesthetics page.

Counselors & other advisors

Counselors, coaches, designers and other professionals whose clients depend on their judgment.

Not sure your policy fits the work you do?

Tell us what services you provide and what you carry now. We'll check how the policy is written and compare options across several carriers. Free, no pressure.

Review My Coverage Call (740) 387-8335

How It Fits

Claims-made, retro dates and tail coverage, in plain English.

Professional liability has a few rules that surprise people. They matter most when you change carriers, change jobs or retire. This is general information, and every policy reads a little differently.

Claims-made vs. occurrence

An occurrence policy covers incidents that happen while the policy is in force, no matter when the claim is filed. A claims-made policy, which is how most professional liability is written, covers claims that are made and reported while the policy is active, for work done after the retroactive date. If you let a claims-made policy lapse, a claim that shows up later may not be covered.

Retroactive dates

The retroactive date is the earliest date of work the policy will cover. When you move to a new carrier, ask whether it will honor your existing retro date. Losing it can leave years of past work unprotected.

Tail coverage

When you retire, sell the business or close a practice, an extended reporting period, often called tail coverage, gives you more time to report claims for past work. Options and costs vary by policy, so plan for it before you need it.

How it fits with your other coverage

Professional liability covers your services. General liability covers bodily injury and property damage, like a client who trips in your office. Cyber liability handles data breaches. D&O covers how the business is run. Most professionals need more than one, and we coordinate them so they fit.

Professional liability questions. Straight answers.

Is professional liability the same as errors and omissions (E&O)?

Yes, for most purposes. Professional liability and errors and omissions describe the same kind of coverage: protection when a client says your professional service caused them a financial loss.

For doctors, dentists and other health providers, it's usually called malpractice insurance.

Doesn't my general liability policy cover this?

Generally not. General liability covers bodily injury and property damage, like a client who slips in your office.

Claims about your professional work, like bad advice, a missed deadline or an error in a report, are typically excluded from general liability. That's what professional liability is for.

Will it cover me if the claim is baseless?

Good policies defend you whether or not the claim has merit. Defending a baseless claim can still be expensive, and that's often where professional liability helps the most.

Check how your policy handles defense costs, since on many policies they're paid from the limit.

What's the difference between claims-made and occurrence?

An occurrence policy covers incidents that happen during the policy period, whenever the claim is filed. A claims-made policy covers claims made and reported while the policy is active, for work done after the retroactive date.

Most professional liability is claims-made, so keeping coverage continuous matters.

What is tail coverage, and when do I need it?

Tail coverage, or an extended reporting period, gives you extra time to report claims for past work after a claims-made policy ends. It usually comes up when you retire, sell the business, close a practice or switch to a carrier that won't honor your retroactive date.

Options and costs vary by policy, so ask us before you make the change.

Do you handle malpractice for doctors, dentists and med spas?

It's part of the conversation for every health and aesthetic practice we work with. Malpractice is a specialized coverage, so we focus on coordinating it with your property, general liability and cyber coverage.

For med spas, make sure the policy matches the treatments you actually offer and who performs them. Tell us before you add new services or providers.

Who needs professional liability insurance?

Anyone paid for advice, expertise or a professional service. That includes consultants, real estate professionals, accountants and bookkeepers, counselors, and health and aesthetic professionals.

Some clients and contracts require it. If you're not sure whether you need it, call us and we'll talk it through.

How much does professional liability cost?

It depends on your profession, revenue, the services you provide, your limits and your claims history. A solo consultant and a multi-provider practice are very different risks.

Because we're an independent agency, we shop your coverage across several carriers and compare. Call us and we'll quote your actual practice.

Still have questions? Call (740) 387-8335. We'll give you a straight answer.