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Professional liability (E&O) insurance in WA & FL

If your business gives advice or delivers a professional service, one alleged mistake can trigger a lawsuit general liability won't touch. Errors & omissions coverage defends and protects you.

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General liability covers bodily injury and property damage — the slip-and-fall. It does nothing for the far more common claim service businesses face: a client alleging your work was negligent, late, or wrong, and that it cost them money. Professional liability insurance, also called errors & omissions (E&O), pays to defend you and settle those claims. Maru writes E&O for consultants, agencies, real estate professionals, accountants, tech firms, and many other Washington and Florida service businesses.

Quick take: The lawsuit doesn't have to be true to be expensive. Even a groundless claim of professional negligence can cost tens of thousands to defend — and E&O covers defense costs, not just settlements. Many client contracts and professional licenses now require you to carry it.

Who needs E&O

Common professions that carry E&O
FieldTypical exposure
Consultants & agenciesAdvice or deliverables that don't produce promised results
Real estate & property managersDisclosure disputes, missed deadlines, fiduciary claims
Accountants & bookkeepersFiling errors, missed liabilities, financial-loss claims
Tech & IT servicesSoftware defects, downtime, failed implementations
Insurance & financial advisorsSuitability and errors-in-advice allegations
Design & marketingMissed launches, IP issues, campaign underperformance

What E&O covers

An E&O policy responds to claims of negligence, errors, omissions, misrepresentation, and failure to deliver professional services as promised. It pays defense costs, court-ordered judgments, and settlements up to your limit. Most E&O is written on a claims-made basis, which means the policy that matters is the one in force when the claim is filed — making continuous coverage and your “retroactive date” critically important. We manage those details so a gap doesn't wipe out years of prior protection.

Washington and Florida notes

Many Washington and Florida licensing boards and larger clients now require proof of E&O before you can sign a contract or get on an approved-vendor list — we issue certificates fast so you don't lose the deal. We also frequently pair E&O with general liability, or fold both into a package with cyber coverage, since a data-handling mistake can trigger claims under more than one policy. As an independent agency, we match your specific profession to carriers that understand it and price it fairly.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between general liability and professional liability?
General liability covers physical harm — bodily injury and property damage to third parties. Professional liability (E&O) covers financial harm from your professional work: negligence, mistakes, missed deadlines, or advice that a client says caused them a loss. Most service businesses need both.
What does 'claims-made' mean for my E&O policy?
Most E&O policies cover claims reported while the policy is active, based on work done after a ‘retroactive date.’ That's why continuous coverage matters — if you let the policy lapse, past work can lose protection. We track retroactive dates and can arrange tail coverage if you switch carriers or close the business.
Is E&O required by law?
It's not usually mandated by statute, but it's increasingly required by contract — clients, professional licensing boards, and vendor lists frequently demand proof of E&O before you can work with them. In practice, many businesses can't win contracts without it.
How much does professional liability cost?
It depends on your profession, revenue, claims history, and the limit you need. A solo consultant might pay a few hundred to a couple thousand dollars a year; higher-risk fields cost more. We'll compare carriers to find the right limit for your contracts at the best price.
Vadim, licensed insurance advisor at Maru Insurance
Vadim — Maru Insurance
Licensed independent insurance agent · WA & FL
Written and reviewed by a licensed Maru advisor. Maru Insurance is an independent agency (License #22261820) representing multiple A-rated carriers across Washington and Florida.

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