Short Answer
An engineering firm's professional liability policy does not automatically cover everything the company does just because a licensed engineer performs it. Coverage generally depends on how the professional services definition is written in the policy and its endorsements. If an activity falls outside that definition, a claim arising from it may not be covered, regardless of who on staff performed the work.
Why the professional services definition matters
Every A&E professional liability policy includes a definition of "professional services." That definition, not the insured's job title or license, is what determines whether a given activity is covered. A firm that assumes broad coverage because "an engineer did it" can be surprised to find the specific activity was never contemplated by the policy.
This matters most when firms expand into adjacent work. A structural engineering firm that has carried the same E&O policy for years may add services that sound related but sit outside the original scope the carrier priced and underwrote.
Narrow wording versus broader wording
Some policies define professional services narrowly, tied to a specific discipline such as "structural engineering services" or "civil engineering services." Others use broader language that may contemplate architecture, engineering, technical consulting, material testing, cost consulting, or construction-related consulting.
Broader wording does not automatically mean every new activity is covered either. Even a broad definition typically lists categories or requires the work to relate to the insured's stated professional discipline. The only way to know what's included is to read the actual definition and any endorsements attached to the policy, not to assume based on the general reputation of the carrier or form.
Why firms should review this before adding new revenue
Firms often add new services gradually. A structural engineer might start doing existing-condition assessments for a repeat client, then take on an owner's representative role on another project, then add expert witness work. Each addition can feel like a natural extension of existing expertise.
From an underwriting standpoint, each of these can be a materially different exposure. Reviewing the professional services definition before taking on the new work, rather than after a claim arises, is the only way to know whether the current policy responds.
Examples of activities worth checking against your definition
A structural engineering firm expanding into any of the following should confirm the activity is contemplated by its professional services definition before assuming it's covered:
- Existing-condition assessments
- Owner’s representative work
- Expert witness consulting
- Property inspections
- Drone or 3D scanning services
- Forensic investigations
- Accessibility consulting
- General technical consulting
For each one, the relevant question is the same: does the actual professional services definition contemplate this activity, or does it fall outside what the policy was written to cover?
Example
A structural engineering firm has carried the same E&O policy for eight years, with a professional services definition tied to structural engineering. The firm starts offering existing-condition assessments for a repeat developer client, in addition to its usual design work.
If a dispute later arises from one of those assessments, whether it's covered may depend on whether "existing-condition assessments" fits within the current definition of professional services, or whether it's a distinct activity the policy was never written to include. This is a question for the firm's broker and carrier, not an assumption to make on the firm's own.
What to check in your own policy
- Read the full professional services definition in the policy, not just the discipline named on the declarations page
- Check whether any endorsements expand or narrow that definition
- List any new services the firm has added or is considering
- Ask your broker whether each new service fits the current definition
- Request written confirmation or an endorsement before relying on the existing policy for new work
Related Questions
Does my E&O policy cover any work performed by a licensed engineer?
Not necessarily. Coverage generally depends on whether the specific activity fits within the policy's professional services definition, not solely on who performed it or what license they hold.
What happens if my firm starts a service that isn't in our professional services definition?
This depends on the specific policy and claim. In many cases, a claim from an uncovered activity would not be covered. Confirming the definition with your broker before starting the work is the more reliable approach.
Are architecture and engineering usually covered under the same definition?
Some policies write a combined definition covering both disciplines. Others are narrower. This varies by carrier and form, so it should be confirmed directly rather than assumed.
Can I add a new service to my professional services definition mid-term?
Many carriers can consider an endorsement to expand the definition. Availability, underwriting requirements, and any added premium vary by carrier.
Who should review this definition when a firm is expanding services?
Typically the firm's broker, in coordination with the carrier, since the definition is carrier-specific and tied to how the policy was underwritten.
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Read MoreAuthor:
Hardcover Editorial Team
Reviewed by:
Hardcover Insurance Team
Last reviewed:
September 25, 2026
This article is educational and does not provide legal advice or determine whether a specific claim is covered. Policy terms, exclusions, underwriting requirements, and applicable law vary. Consult your insurance professional and qualified legal counsel regarding your circumstances.