Claims-Made Policy

A policy that responds to claims first made while the policy is active, for work done after the retro date. Most professional liability policies for A&E firms work this way.

Reviewed by Avi Rabbani, Licensed Insurance Agent

What it means for your firm

With a claims-made policy, what matters is when the claim is made, not when the work was done. The claim usually has to be made and reported while the policy is in force.

Past work is covered only back to the retro date. That is why keeping the retro date when you renew or change carriers matters so much.

Articles that explain it

Can You Cancel E&O Insurance After Closing an Architecture or Engineering Firm? Do Architects Need Tail Coverage When They Retire? Do Architects Need Tail Coverage When Closing Their Firm? Does Changing Your Architecture Firm’s Name Affect Coverage for Old Projects? What Happens to E&O Insurance When a Partner Leaves an Architecture Firm? What Happens to Professional Liability Insurance When an Architecture Firm Changes Names?

General definition for education only. It is not an interpretation of any policy or contract, and it is not legal advice. The wording of your own policy and contract controls. Policies and definitions vary by insurance company.

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Starting out or renewing, with a policy in hand or not. If something is worth discussing, we’ll call. If not, we’ll say so.

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