Get quotes for public liability, professional indemnity, tools and employers' liability insurance for UK architects — quotes are provided directly by FCA-authorised insurers, not by us.
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Every trade faces unique risks. Here's what could go wrong and why the right cover matters.
Professional indemnity is the cover architects rely on most — but it works differently from public liability or employers' liability, and the details matter when a claim arises.
PI policies are written on a "claims made" basis: the policy that responds is the one in force when the claim is made, not the one in place when the design work was done. If your policy has lapsed by the time a defect is discovered, there's no cover — even if you were insured at the time of the original design.
New PI policies set a retroactive date — the point from which past projects are covered. If you switch insurer, check the new policy's retroactive date matches or pre-dates your old one, since building defects often surface years after completion.
The ARB expects registered architects to hold PI cover on a civil liability basis with a minimum limit of indemnity, written on an each-and-every-claim basis (rather than capped in aggregate), with the required minimum scaling up as a practice's fee income grows. Fire safety and cladding-related claims are a recognised exception where aggregate cover is accepted.
Closing your practice doesn't end your liability for past projects. Run-off cover keeps your PI policy responding to claims made after you've stopped trading — the ARB's guidance points to a minimum of six years, since design defects in buildings can take a long time to come to light.
A strong policy covers the specific risks of your trade — from design negligence claims to data breaches and client disputes.
Protects against claims of negligence, errors or bad advice from clients. Essential for any business that provides advice, designs or professional services. Covers legal costs and compensation.
Covers injury or property damage to clients or third parties at your office or client premises. Required by most co-working spaces and client contracts.
Legally required if you employ anyone. Covers employee injury or illness claims arising from their work. Minimum £5 million required by law.
Covers data breaches, cyber attacks and GDPR fines. Professional service firms handle sensitive client data — cyber insurance is increasingly essential.
Covers your office equipment, computers and business contents against theft, fire and accidental damage at your premises.
Covers legal costs for contract disputes, employment tribunals, HMRC investigations and debt recovery.
A few things worth checking before you buy, whichever UK insurer or broker you compare.
Check the limit matches what your contracts, landlord or clients require — common tiers are £1m, £2m, £5m and £10m depending on trade and risk.
Professional and liability covers are often "claims-made" — cover depends on holding a live policy when a claim is made, not just when the work happened.
Read what's excluded, not just what's covered. Sub-contractor work, specific activities, or work carried out overseas are common gaps.
Before buying, confirm any insurer or broker is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority — check the register at register.fca.org.uk.
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