What does an errors and omissions policy cover?

Asked by: Mireya Sawayn  |  Last update: December 21, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (63 votes)

What is E&O insurance? E&O insurance is a kind of specialized liability protection against losses not covered by traditional liability insurance. It protects you and your business from claims if a client sues for negligent acts, errors or omissions committed during business activities that result in a financial loss.

What is covered under errors and omissions insurance?

Errors and omissions coverage can help pay for: Damages, including any judgments and settlements that result from the lawsuit. Court costs, which can include legal defense costs, attorney fees and other court-related expenses. Disciplinary proceedings called by a regulatory, licensing or other government agency.

What is included in errors and omissions?

Errors & Omissions basis of coverage is based on negligence, statutory breaches (such as misleading or deceptive conduct or misrepresentation) and equitable breaches such as breaches of fiduciary duties and breaches of trust.

What are the most common E&O claims?

Examples of E&O Claims
  • Breach of contract. Clients can sue tech companies for breach of contract if the delivered product or service does not align with the details stipulated in the contract. ...
  • Breach of warranty. ...
  • Negligence. ...
  • Copyright infringement. ...
  • Fraud. ...
  • Misrepresentation. ...
  • Defamation. ...
  • Cyber crime.

What does E&O insurance protect against?

E&O insurance protects you against costly disputes arising from: Allegations you failed to deliver agreed-upon services. Alleged financial loss caused by errors or omissions in the rendering or failure to render professional services. Allegations of negligence in the performance of your duties.

Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance: What It Covers

15 related questions found

What is typically excluded from an E&O policy?

Dishonest, intentional, or criminal acts. Like most insurance policies, a typical E&O policy for insurance agents excludes dishonest, criminal, fraudulent, or malicious actions.

What does E&O insurance pay for?

Errors and omissions insurance, also known as E&O insurance and professional liability insurance, helps protect your business from lawsuits that claim you made a mistake in your professional services. This insurance can help cover your court costs or settlements, which can be very expensive for your business to pay.

Who is usually the most protected by errors and omissions insurance?

Errors and omissions insurance (E&O) is used by professional service providers to protect them from lawsuits and financial losses over claims of unsatisfactory work. This includes those who offer professional advice, such as realtors, insurance professionals, tax preparers, and IT professionals.

Which of the following is covered by E&O insurance?

Most errors and omissions insurance policies cover judgments, attorney fees, court costs and settlements up to the limits of the policy. Some events resulting in a loss for a client may have occurred several years in the past, and the first time the mistake is apparent is when a court summons arrives in the mail.

Is E&O insurance worth it?

E&O insurance covers costs associated with legal defense, settlements, and court judgments. These costs can be substantial, making this insurance a critical risk management tool for professionals. Without E&O insurance, individuals and businesses may face severe financial strain from lawsuits.

Which of the following would not be covered under errors and omissions?

Claims related to employment practices, such as wrongful termination or harassment, are not covered under E&O insurance. These claims fall under Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI).

What is a simple example of error of omission?

An error of omission happens when you forget to enter a transaction in the books. You may forget to enter an invoice you've paid or the sale of a service. For example, a copywriter buys a new business laptop but forgets to enter the purchase in the books.

Who pays for errors and omissions?

Errors and omissions claims can be very expensive, especially for a small company. If you don't have E&O insurance, you'll have to pay for any damages, settlements, and legal fees out of pocket.

Which of the following is usually excluded under errors and omissions insurance?

Data breaches, cyberattacks, and other technology-related risks are usually not covered under an E&O policy. For businesses handling sensitive client information, cyber liability insurance is necessary to mitigate these risks.

How do I make a claim against errors and omissions?

How to make an errors and omissions claim
  1. Review your E&O / professional liability insurance policy. ...
  2. Contact your insurance agent or carrier. ...
  3. Ask questions. ...
  4. Gather records and documents that relate to the incident. ...
  5. Consult a lawyer. ...
  6. Limit your interactions. ...
  7. Don't beat yourself up.

What is liability for errors and omissions?

E&O insurance is designed to protect business owners from any mistakes or alleged negligence. Even if you do everything you believe to be right, you are at risk. If your client believes your work or advice directly resulted in a loss, either financially or reputationally, you may be sued.

What is not covered by E&O insurance?

Bodily Injury and Property Damage

E&O insurance does not provide coverage for bodily injury and/or property damage arising from the rendering of professional services. Bodily injury is defined as actual physical injury, disease, or sickness sustained by a person.

What is a claim in an E&O policy?

This means that an errors and omissions claim filed against you can be for: Negligence. Errors or omissions in your services provided. Misrepresentation. Violation of good faith and fair dealing.

Who should have errors and Omissions insurance?

Who Needs E&O Insurance? Errors and omissions insurance helps protect businesses from mistakes or errors in the professional services they provide. So, any small business that regularly gives their customers advice or offers services to clients should get this coverage.

What are errors and omissions liability policies primarily on?

Professional Liability insurance, also known as Errors and Omissions (E&O) coverage, is designed to protect your business against claims that professional advice or services you provided caused a customer financial harm due to actual or alleged mistakes or a failure to perform a service.

What does E&O insurance cover for insurance agents?

What Is Errors and Omissions Coverage (E&O)? Errors and omissions (E&O) insurance helps protect against the costs of allegations made by clients for inadequate work, negligent actions or failure to provide the expected level of service.

What damages result does the standard E&O policy cover?

E&O insurance affords coverage to an insured for errors, omissions or negligent actions that are committed when providing professional services.

Why is E&O insurance so expensive?

Errors and omissions insurance costs can depend on a variety of factors, like your: Business' size, because depending on your number of employees, you may have higher risks. Small businesses typically have fewer employees and lower rates. Revenue, because more profit can come with a higher risk of lawsuits.

What is the maximum coverage for E&O?

E&O insurance policies pay for damages and defense costs in connection with allegations of negligence by a third party. Limits of insurance are applicable to the amount of damages and defense costs that an insurance company has to pay. Available policy limits generally vary from $100,000 to $5,000,000.

Who buys E&O insurance?

State laws often require real estate agents and brokers to carry E&O insurance. Even when it's not required by law, Realtors may need this coverage to work with a particular agency.