Professional Indemnity and Public Liability Insurance cover different types of risk.
Professional Indemnity Insurance is primarily concerned with claims arising from professional services.
For an engineer, this can include allegations involving:
- design
- advice
- calculations
- certification
- documentation
- inspections
- professional errors or omissions
Public Liability Insurance generally responds to claims involving accidental bodily injury or property damage arising from the business’s operations.
For example, it may be relevant if an engineer accidentally damages property while attending a site.
The distinction can become less straightforward where professional advice and physical activities overlap.
Engineering consultancies commonly carry both covers because they address different exposures.
The exact response will depend on the circumstances and policy wording.
