Professional
Liability Insurance For Architects

We specialize in providing customized insurance programs to architects and other business professionals across Ontario, Canada.

Get a FREE Quote

Architects Insurance

Contractors Insurance is a trusted commercial insurance brokerage firm based in Ontario that offers award-winning services and programs. As an architect, design errors, contractual disputes, and on-site accidents can lead to costly lawsuits and jeopardize your reputation. Whether you’re self-employed or part of a firm, our customized architects’ insurance covers unexpected liabilities and can prevent severe financial loss.

We’ve provided top-notch professional insurance services to multiple Ontario architects, which helped us garner industry recognition. If you’re looking for an architect insurance provider who can be with you in every step, you can have peace of mind with Contractors Insurance.

What is Architects Insurance?

Architects insurance is a specialized type of professional liability insurance designed to protect architects and architectural firms from the unique risks they face in professional practice. It acts as a safeguard against potential financial losses and legal liabilities that can arise from various situations.

According to the Regulatory Organizations of Architecture in Canada (ROAC), an architect must comply with the jurisdictional requirements before offering architectural services to the public. If you’re an architect based in Ontario, the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) requires every architect to have liability insurance.

What Does Architect Insurance Cover?

Aside from the mandatory workers’ compensation insurance, here are some key coverages architects insurance typically includes.

Professional Liability Insurance

Also known as errors and omissions insurance (E&O) or malpractice insurance, professional liability insurance protects against claims arising from mistakes, oversights, or negligence in your design work as part of your architect insurance policy.

General Liability Insurance

This liability insurance for architect coverage protects your business from claims of bodily injury or property damage to third parties arising from your business operations. It provides a financial safety net in situations where your firm may be legally responsible for incidents occurring on your business premises, at project sites, or due to your professional services.

Commercial Property Insurance

When added to your architects insurance coverage, it protects your business property, including your office space, equipment, and furniture, from damage or loss due to events like fire, theft, or vandalism.

Business Interruption Insurance

If a covered event, such as a fire or natural disaster, forces you to temporarily close your business, architect insurance coverage can help replace lost income and cover ongoing expenses like rent and utilities.

Cyber Liability Insurance

With increasing reliance on technology, architects are also vulnerable to cyberattacks and data breaches. Cyber liability insurance with your professional liability insurance for architect can help cover the costs associated with data recovery, legal expenses, and customer notification in case of a cyber incident.

Who Needs Liability Insurance for Architects?

While all architects can benefit from this coverage, certain roles and responsibilities within the field carry a higher degree of risk. This makes architects insurance even more essential for them.

Here are some key professions and job duties within the architectural field that need robust architect insurance coverage:

Design Architects: They face potential liabilities related to design flaws, code violations, or aesthetic disagreements as the ones responsible for projects’ overall design concept and aesthetic vision.
Project Architects: They oversee projects from start to finish, coordinating various aspects of the design and construction process. Professional liability insurance for an architect protects them from potential errors in project management, coordination failures, or oversight of construction activities.
Architectural Technologists: These professionals play a role in translating design concepts into technical drawings and specifications.
Interior Designers: While not always licensed architects, interior designers who provide architectural services, such as space planning and structural modifications, also need architects insurance, as they face liabilities related to design errors, code violations, or material selections.
Urban Planners: As designers planning urban spaces and infrastructure, they need architect insurance to face liabilities related to zoning violations, environmental impacts, or inadequate planning that may negatively affect communities or individuals.

Why Ontario Architects Need Insurance

Architects are involved in an industry where mistakes can’t happen. And when mistakes happen, regardless of their size, lawsuits can follow. Professional liability insurance for architect professionals protects individuals and firms from financial loss due to such scenarios.

Architect Insurance Claim Examples

Example #1

An architect’s design for a residential building contains a structural error that goes unnoticed during construction. After completion, the building develops cracks and requires extensive repairs.
A professional liability insurance policy with your architects insurance covers the legal defence costs and any settlement or judgment against the architect, preventing significant financial loss for the firm.

Example #2

A fire breaks out in an architectural office, damaging valuable equipment, drawings, and documents.
The property insurance coverage included in your architect insurance covers the cost of replacing damaged equipment and documents, while business interruption insurance helps cover lost income and ongoing expenses during the closure, ensuring business continuity.

Example #3

An architect’s computer system is hacked, resulting in a data breach that exposes confidential client information.
The cyber liability insurance with your professional liability insurance for architect covers the costs associated with data recovery, legal defence, and customer notification, helping the firm mitigate the financial and reputational impact of the breach.

Leading Provider of Architect Insurance in Ontario

At Contractors Insurance, we offer only award-winning commercial architects insurance services and programs. Here are some benefits you can expect from us:

Tailor-Fit Insurance Plans

When you partner with us, we’ll be hands-on in customizing your architect insurance plans according to your needs. Whether it’s architect professional liability coverage or additional coverage you’re looking for, rest assured no unnecessary riders will be included in your policy.

Absolute Transparency

At Contractors Insurance, we provide absolute transparency in discussing every detail in your liability insurance for architect policy. We’ll ensure you understand how it works—coverage and exclusions, the triggers, and filing claims—before finalizing your insurance.

Comprehensive Insurance Education

We believe in equipping our clients with the necessary information and assistance before securing architects insurance policies with us.

Frequently Asked Questions About Architect Liability Insurance

Architect insurance usually costs $70 per month for a coverage limit of $1 million dollars. Additional coverage requires additional costs.

Yes, the OAA requires individuals and firms to maintain liability insurance for an architect to practice legally. This mandatory professional liability insurance policy protects the public and ensures architects are financially prepared to handle potential claims arising from their professional services.

Claims-made architects insurance policies cover claims filed within the policy period, no matter when the error happened. In contrast, occurrence-based policies cover claims from incidents during the policy period, regardless of when the claim is filed.

Ready to Secure Your Business?

Contractors Insurance is an award-winning insurance brokerage firm based in Ontario. Our personalized architect insurance plans provide individuals and businesses peace of mind knowing they’re in good hands. If you’re searching for a trusted insurance provider that can provide architect insurance or a bundled architect insurance plan, look no further than Contractors Insurance.

Set up your business’s future and success with our liability insurance for architect plans today. Contact us to get started.

Professional Liability Insurance For Architects