Real Estate

Professional liability insurance (sometimes called errors and omissions (E&O) insurance) covers liability for damages arising from the rendering of or failure to render professional services. This insurance differs from general liability coverage, which only deals with situations like accidental damage or slips on a company’s property. 

As a real estate agent, having professional liability insurance can provide you with much-needed peace of mind. You likely deal with clients who are investing lots of money into their purchases. If something goes awry during the buying process, those clients may be prompted to sue you. Whether justified or not, a lawsuit can be financially and emotionally draining. That’s where professional liability insurance comes in handy. 

Reach out to Assured Partners at 800-223-6756 today to learn more about this valuable coverage.   

What Professional Liability Insurance Covers 

Real estate agents carry a lot of sway with their clients. Your actions and advice can make or break deals, which can leave you vulnerable to lawsuits from clients.  

Generally speaking, most lawsuits fall under two categories: breach of duty and negligence.  

• Breach of duty claims typically allege that a real estate agent didn’t act in their client’s best interest. For example, an agent who only provides a property seller with a selection of offers, rather than all of them. 

• Negligence claims typically allege that a real estate agent failed to act on or disclose certain information. For example, an agent who neglects to file the necessary paperwork on time, resulting in an unwanted, locked-in purchase.

Even if you do everything correct during a sale, you may still get sued if the client is unhappy for some reason. When a suit comes, professional liability insurance is here to help. Generally, it covers: 

• Attorney fees

• Court expenses

• Investigative costs

• Administrative fees

• Settlements

What’s more, these aspects are typically covered whether you win the case or not, making professional liability coverage a critical safety net. 

What Professional Liability Insurance Does Not Cover 

As with most insurance policies, there are certain coverage exceptions. For professional liability insurance, that typically includes: 

Professional Liability Insurance Costs 

Policies will vary by provider, but they typically range from $500-$1,000 per year, per individual. This makes professional liability insurance reasonably affordable, especially considering the financial drain of lawsuits and their related expenses.