What does errors and omissions insurance cover? (E&O)

Errors and omissions insurance covers you if your client alleges you made a mistake that lost them money, even if it turns out you’re not guilty.

General liability insurance covers you in the event of third-party bodily injury or property damage, but errors and omissions insurance protects you from claims of financial loss as a result of providing, or failing to provide, professional services.

An errors and omissions policy covers a few main areas:

Actual or Alleged Negligence

The insurer does the legwork in determining what happened when a customer claims that you (or members of your crew) were negligent in completing your work, such as missing a deadline or not acting professionally.

Defense of Claims

The insurer defends you in legal proceedings related to claims that you didn’t follow through on a portion of your deliverable/service, be it the word count on an article or the file format on a wedding video.

False or Frivolous Claims for Damages

Along with helping to cover the costs of valid claims, the policy will defend you against claims that have no merit.

Who needs errors and omissions insurance?

Professionals of all kinds need errors and omissions insurance.

If your clients rely on you for professional consultation, skills, or specific knowledge, from event planning to notarizing documents, they can also claim that negligence in those services resulted in a financial loss on their part. For many businesses. errors and omissions insurance is optional, but some professions in the medical, government, and legal fields require errors and omissions insurance in order to secure a license. Other types of businesses that commonly need errors and omissions coverage include:

Administrative Services Advertising and Marketing Consultants Career Coaches Computer Repair Creative Directors Event Planners Consultants Graphic and Web Designers Hiking Guides

Interior Decorating IT Consultants Musicians Notaries Paralegals Personal Trainers Pet Services Photographers Programmers

Sound Recordists Software Developers Speakers Teachers and Tutors Tour Guides Translation Services Web Developers Wedding Planners Writers

Why is errors and omissions insurance important?

If you provide expert services, errors and omissions insurance can help protect against the financial consequences of claims of negligence or mistakes arising out of your professional services.

In some cases, a contract, professional affiliation, or state law may require businesses to carry errors and omissions coverage.

But even if it’s not required, errors and omissions coverage helps protect your business against the risk of doing business for others. Furthermore, it shows prospective clients that you are a legitimate business. We all know mistakes happen and in some cases, no matter what you do, you can’t meet the client’s standards. With E&O insurance you can focus on growing and running your business instead of worrying about potential claims.

How much does errors and omissions insurance cost?

On average, small business owners pay around $45/month or $500 per year for errors and omissions insurance.¹

The cost of errors and omissions (or E&O) coverage will vary based on a few factors—mainly what you do and where you work. Your industry determines how much you’re exposed to risk, as some jobs come with a higher likelihood of errors and omissions, and if you live in a metropolitan area, you’ll likely pay a little more to get insured. As with any insurance policy, the cost varies based on your specific business’s details, but policies arranged by Thimble including errors and omissions coverage start at $36 a month.

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What other kinds of business insurance do I need?

While errors and omissions insurance is designed to protect your business from risks associated with negligence, the total picture of your assets includes a few other essential types of insurance.

General Liability Insurance

Protects your business against claims of third-party bodily injury, property damage, and personal and advertising injury.

Workers’ Compensation

Protects your business if you have employees or workers of any kind. This coverage applies to medical expenses and lost wages associated with work-related injuries and illnesses.

Business Equipment Protection

Protects the equipment you own and use for work, from a lawn mower to a camera. Also known as inland marine insurance, this is a type of property insurance that covers your stuff.

Business Owner's Policy (BOP)

Designed for small business owners who need a few types of coverage. BOP is a bundle that usually protects you against damage to owned property, liability, and business interruption.

Errors and Omissions Insurance FAQs

Is errors and omissions insurance required by law?

Errors and omissions insurance is legally required for some professions and roles, specifically in the medical and legal industries. However, even if it’s not legally required, your clients may contractually require you to have an errors and omissions insurance policy. Make sure you understand the terms of your contract.

Professions required to carry errors and omissions insurance:

• Medical professionals must carry medical malpractice insurance, an industry-specific type of errors and omissions coverage. This applies to doctors, nurses, rehabilitation professionals, physician’s assistants, and other employees in allied health care settings.

• Lawyers are often required to carry errors and omissions coverage, or at least inform their clients if they are practicing without insurance.

• Government contractors may be required to carry errors and omissions insurance.

• Some professionals are required to carry errors and omissions insurance in order to be licensed or to perform certain functions in certain jurisdictions

Can I get my errors and omissions and general liability insurance under one policy?

How do I show proof I have an errors and omissions insurance policy?