Architects & Engineers

Since 1988, serving Architects, Consulting Engineers, and Surveyors for their business insurance and risk management needs for Michigan and Northern Illinois firms, including on the ENR 500.

A few of the highlights PCIA provides its clients:

Professional liability, business insurance, project coverage, contractors’ pollution legal liability
Contract reviews in detail, including sample clauses for every project type and risk
Educational seminars in your firm’s office or via Zoom
Representation of the leading insurance companies, including exclusive only to PCIA
Annual application assistance and evaluation every year
Sophisticated encryption service for policies and other confidential communications
Participation in Industry Association Committees and events serving the profession
Representation of the ACEC Business Insurance Trust Program for ACEC/Michigan member firms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Professional liability insurance, often referred to as errors and omissions (E&O) or design professional liability coverage, protects architects and engineers against claims arising from alleged mistakes, oversights, or failures in the professional services they deliver. Design errors can carry serious financial and physical consequences, making this coverage a critical component of any A&E firm's risk management strategy. Most project owners and government contracts require it as well.
Yes. In addition to firm-wide practice-level professional liability policies, we can help design firms explore project-specific coverage options. These policies are tied to a single project rather than your firm's entire scope of work and can be valuable for large-scale, complex, or high-risk engagements where a separate limit or additional protection is warranted. We can help you evaluate when a project policy makes sense alongside your standard coverage.
Beyond professional liability, architects and engineers require a broader portfolio including general liability, commercial property, commercial auto, and cyber liability insurance. Firms that manage subcontractors or enter into complex project agreements should also review their contractual risk transfer practices, since indemnification language and additional insured requirements can significantly affect your exposure. PCIA takes a comprehensive view of your firm's operations to make sure nothing is overlooked.
This is one of the most common questions we hear from architecture and engineering firms, and the answer depends heavily on your contracts. Your subconsultants need to have their own insurance coverages for professional and general liability coverage and your agreement should require the coverage and proof of the coverage. Keep in mind, your professional liability coverage may be in play too if your subconsultant’s error is tied to your overall scope of services. PCIA will assist by reviewing your agreements and coordinate coverage to eliminate unexpected gaps of coverage when a claim may be made.