Short answer
Most new accessibility firms start with professional liability insurance, also called errors and omissions (E&O), and often add general liability once clients or a lease require it. Accessibility firm insurance should match the reports, plan reviews and inspections you sell. Coverage depends on the actual policy terms, exclusions and underwriting, so read the quote before you bind.
What accessibility firm insurance you need on day one
Three terms come up first, and they overlap.
Professional liability and E&O are the same thing. Both cover claims that your professional advice or services caused a client a financial loss. For an accessibility consultant, that could be a report that missed a barrier a client later relied on.
General liability covers bodily injury and property damage from your business operations, such as a client visiting your office and getting hurt. It does not cover errors in your professional work.
A business owner’s policy (BOP) bundles general liability and business property coverage in one package. It can fit a small firm with an office and equipment. It usually does not include professional liability, so most accessibility firms still need that policy separately.
Day one for many new firms looks like this:
- Professional liability, because clients usually ask for it before they sign.
- General liability or a BOP, once a client, landlord or contract requires it.
- Workers’ compensation, once you hire employees. Rules vary by state.
Later additions can wait until your work and revenue call for them.
What your first clients will ask for
Clients often send insurance requirements before the contract is final. Common requests include:
- Limits. The maximum the policy pays for a claim, such as a required amount per claim and in total for the year.
- Additional insured status. A request to add the client to your general liability policy. It does not usually apply to professional liability.
- Waiver of subrogation. An agreement that your carrier will not pursue the client to recover what it paid.
- Certificates of insurance. A one-page summary of your coverage that your broker issues.
Accessibility work adds a few contract issues. Watch for clauses that ask you to certify full ADA compliance, guarantee that a site will avoid litigation or promise that a design meets every standard. Those promises can go beyond what your policy covers. Your policy may exclude liability you take on only through a contract.
What accessibility firm insurance costs and why
Cost varies by state and carrier, so we do not publish figures. These factors usually shape the price:
- Annual revenue, since carriers often price against it.
- Services offered, such as plan review, field inspections or expert witness work.
- Project types, since public buildings, housing and large commercial sites can carry different risk.
- Limits and deductible you choose.
- Claims history and years in business.
- Contract terms you accept.
A new firm with no claims history may find fewer carrier options than an established one. A broker can show you which carriers write accessibility work and how each treats your services.
Want this looked at for your firm?Tell us what your firm does. A specialist reviews it and comes back with options.
Get a Quote →Admitted vs. non-admitted carriers and ratings
Some contracts require an admitted carrier, which means one licensed in the project state. Others set a minimum A.M. Best rating. Neither is automatically better, but your contract may require one or both.
We cover both topics in more detail in admitted vs. non-admitted insurance and what A- VII or better means. Check the requirement before you bind.
An accessibility firm insurance timeline
Your needs grow with the firm. A typical path looks like this:
- First client. Professional liability, and a certificate for the client.
- First employee. Workers’ compensation, and a review of your professional liability application, since headcount and revenue can change.
- First office. General liability or a BOP, plus business property coverage for equipment.
- First big contract. A review of required limits, additional insured wording and any project-specific requirements.
- $1M in revenue. A broader review of limits, umbrella coverage and other lines, such as cyber liability if you handle client data.
These are guideposts and not rules. Your own contracts will tell you when to act.
What to check on any quote
- Does the policy describe accessibility consulting, plan review and inspections accurately?
- Do any exclusions affect services you sell, such as inspections or expert witness work?
- Are the limits and deductible what your contracts require?
- Does defense cost sit inside the limit or outside it?
- What is the retroactive date, and what coverage applies to prior work?
- Is the carrier admitted or non-admitted, and what is its rating?
- What is the total cost, including fees, taxes and any financing?
What makes accessibility work different
Reliance on a compliance opinion. Clients often use your report to show they acted in good faith. If a barrier is missed and a complaint follows, your report may be the first document examined.
Standards that shift by location. Federal, state and local accessibility rules differ, and some states run their own certified access specialist programs. Make sure your policy and your contracts reflect the standards you actually work to.
Do accessibility consultants need professional liability insurance?
Many clients require it, and your advice and reports carry real exposure. Whether your firm needs it depends on your contracts and services, so ask a broker to review them.
Is general liability enough for an ADA consulting firm?
Usually not. General liability addresses bodily injury and property damage, not errors in your professional work. Professional liability covers that second category.
Does a BOP include professional liability?
Typically no. A BOP combines general liability and property coverage. Check the form, since some carriers offer limited professional options.
Can I add inspections or expert witness work later?
Often yes, but tell your broker first. Some policies exclude or limit those services, so confirm coverage before you take on the work.
When should I review my coverage as the firm grows?
Review it when you hire, move into an office, sign a larger contract or approach $1M in revenue. Changes in revenue or services can affect your policy.
Your numberWant a real number for your firm?
Tell us what your firm does and your revenue. We will come back with what carriers would actually charge.
