Professional Indemnity insurance for Design and Construct professionals
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SubscribeWhy do Design and Construct professionals need Professional Indemnity insurance?
Historically, some construction contractors decided not to take out Professional Indemnity (PI) insurance because in their view they had no design liability, instead assuming the PI cover in place by the Consulting Engineers and Architects of the project would be sufficient. However, this attitude has since changed, with many project owners making Design and Construct PI insurance compulsory in order to secure a contract.
There are several typical risks and exposures for contractors, including errors made by employees and liability caused by subcontractors.
Our team provides typical construction insurances such as Latent Defects insurance, whilst also arranging bespoke solutions that work for you. This can include everything from annually renewable PI Insurance to single project cover that protects you for the duration of the liability period.
Why should professionals in the Design and Construct environment choose Griffiths & Armour?
If your clients or customers incur costs as a result of alleged negligence or a mistake, comprehensive cover can protect your business against a claim and the associated costs.
We have been sourcing insurance solutions for over 90 years and have an established reputation for providing outstanding service to our clients operating across professional services and building development within the construction sector.
Our wealth of experience and outstanding insurer relationships enable us to find solutions and navigate challenges with agility, even in challenging markets.
We use a combination of insight, market reputation and specialist skills to cater for the specific needs of our clients. Our team do things differently. We go beyond conventional insurance placement, sharing insights that enable greater business resilience.
Our proactive approach delivers long-term strategic and tailored insurance solutions for you.
Beyond Protection
Beyond Protection is our end-to-end support designed to empower your business at every stage.
Our team gives you the tools to increase resilience and create peace of mind, no matter the challenge.
Professional body relationships
Griffiths & Armour works with a number of professional bodies and organisations, both to support our clients’ interests and also to build our own knowledge base and profile with regards to important issues in the construction industry.
Legal helpline
Griffiths & Armour offers a legal helpline providing direct access to sector-specific expert solicitors for our clients with Professional Indemnity insurance.
With offices across the UK and Ireland, you can receive immediate legal advice on issues like negligence allegations, draft agreements, and commercial disputes at no additional cost.
Contract Review Service
We help you make informed decisions on mitigating contractual risks. Our team of experienced brokers and contract reviewers provide specialist advice on all types of construction contracts, from standard forms to bespoke documents, letters of reliance through to Novation agreements.
FAQs
All construction firms who are entering into ‘Design & Build’ contracts or otherwise taking responsibility for advice, designs etc. normally provided by professional consultants require Professional Indemnity insurance.
Liability normally attaches contractually but can apply in tort for Design and Construct professionals.
Design and Construct professionals can be liable for the legal consequences of their failure to discharge design obligations under a ‘Design & Build’ contract.
Cover usually applies to damages and costs awarded plus additionally ‘own defence costs.’
The PI insurance underwriters will consider all the information provided when deciding on the premium. Factors such as ‘high risk’ construction exposure, extent of design responsibility, level of cover required, claims record etc. will all be taken into account.
Professional Indemnity insurance policies are normally provided on an annual basis. So, if there is a requirement to maintain PI cover for ‘twelve years from completion of the project’ for example, renewal of the insurance needs to be negotiated annually for each year of that period.
