Posted February 7th, 2013
Doctors, contractors, and lawyers are frequently sued by their patients and clients. They can be subject to a lawsuit if they fail to do something that they reasonably should have done, or if they do something that they shouldn’t have done under the circumstances. Although these are the most prominent cases of professional malpractice, architects, college staff, opticians, and funeral directors can also be accused of a professional error or omission, along with barbers, advertising agencies, and veterinarians. In this day and age, even electronic data processors may be subject to a claim. To make sure that they can avoid personal financial and legal responsibility in the event of such allegations, business owners and trained or licensed workers should purchase professional liability insurance. An experienced independent business insurance agent will help them find the right policy.
Commercial general liability insurance typically excludes liability for property damage or bodily injury arising out of providing, or failing to provide professional services, but most CGL policies cover liability arising out of the use or maintenance of a professional office. While having a CGL policy to cover accidents or harm involving their business’s premises is important, professionals like sanitarium operators, school principals, and exercise facility owners should consider buying professional liability insurance to protect their personal finances, and assist them in avoiding personal liability, in the event of a claim related to their services.
Individuals in different professions usually require different kinds of professional liability insurance. While surgeons, dentists, and doctors may have similar coverage in their policies, attorneys, hospitals, and beauty shop owners have varying options when it comes to buying insurance. And, in some cases, a policy will be deemed an errors and omissions policy, while in others it will be referred to only as professional liability insurance. A seasoned independent business insurance agent will discuss the kinds of coverage suited to a practitioner based on her particular line of business.
To help individuals assess their exposures when it comes to rendering professional services, an independent insurance agent will want to know whether any physical or emotional injury can potentially be caused to a client. Also, he may ask about whether a business owner takes notes during meetings with customers, and how a professional office maintains client records. He may inquire about the specific nature of professional services provided to clients, how often clients seek out these services, and whether the relationships between a professional and their clientele tend to last for a finite amount of time, or be ongoing.
By pursuing comprehensive professional liability insurance through a trusted independent insurance agent, business owners and other professionals can gain an understanding of the coverage afforded by policies from a number of insurers. They can receive assistance in determining whether they should purchase commercial general liability insurance and professional liability coverage in a single policy, or through the same insurance company, and can get answers to their questions about limitations, exclusions, and endorsements. They can also discuss premiums and other aspects of buying a policy. With coverage through an independent business insurance agent, professionals know that they have dependable liability insurance in place to shield them from the risks inherent in their services.