Business insurance for Architects


Architects bring clients’ dreams to life with their projects. But insurance can help if things go wrong. Whether producing schematic designs or assessing a site, you boast strong creative and technical skills. 

But if you provide poor advice or services you could end up in court. Thankfully, professional indemnity insurance for architects can help. 

Business insurance can help to protect your architectural practice in the event of claims, accidents and injuries. 

 

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Why choose Hiscox for your architect insurance?


1

Make unlimited changesAs your architect firm grows or changes, it's easy to amend a Hiscox business insurance policy - and there's no need to pay a fee.

2

Benefit from business support

Our Business Support Hub includes free and discounted access to services ranging from HR and legal advice to accounting.

3

Professional indemnity insurance from £8.00 a month*Professional indemnity cover costs from £8.00 a month - so getting PI insurance for architects is easy.

*Figures based on an average of all professional indemnity policies sold to at least 10% of our customer base between April 2023 and April 2024

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Why do architects need insurance?


Client suffers an injury

An architect’s studio is often full of equipment. Powerful computers loaded with specialist software like AutoCAD, large drafting tables and boxes of tools all compete for space. When visiting your office to discuss an extension to their home, your client trips on a roll of graph paper, breaking their wrist. 

Should they choose to make a claim, public liability insurance for architects can help to cover compensation and legal costs.

Negligence causes an accident

Your latest project is under way. You’re called in for advice when a construction worker notices an aspect of your design isn’t feasible. You suggest a few design changes, but your advice proves incorrect and the client loses money. They take you to court, citing negligence. 

Professional indemnity insurance is part of the Architects Code of Conduct. In this case, it can help cove r the cost of compensation and legal fees, so you can stay focused on your designs.

 

Stolen equipment

While you’re working on numerous exciting projects, your office is broken into overnight. When you arrive in the morning, you discover expensive computer equipment has been taken and other business assets damaged. This theft means work has to stop and you lose both precious time and income as a result. 

Fortunately, including office contents insurance in your tailored architects’ policy can help to cover the cost of equipment replacement to quickly get you back on track.

What insurance is available for architects?


Architects might also benefit from the support of several other types of business insurance. These include cyber and data cover, portable equipment insurance, cover in the event of a personal accident, and employers’ liability insurance.

Equipment breakdown insurance can add extra cover in case equipment and computers stop working due to a technical fault. This only applies for items held at your premises or computers within the UK.

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These are just some of the types of business insurance for architects that we can offer. We can provide other specific types of cover and build them into a policy that’s tailored to the exact needs of your business.

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Insurance for architects: FAQs


What is professional indemnity insurance for architects?

Professional indemnity insurance for architects is a type of business insurance related to the professional advice and services you provide to your clients and customers. It’s different to other types of business insurance, for example public liability, which is focused on your interactions with members of the public.

What is the minimum PI insurance for architects?

The Architects Registration Board, the official body governing the profession, demands its members have professional indemnity (PI) insurance. When it comes to how much is required specifically, the ARB’s website (external link) states that architects should maintain ‘adequate and appropriate’ PI. It advises you to speak to your insurance broker, but notes that architects should hold PI cover of £250,000 minimum.

What insurance do I need as an architect?

By law, if you employ anyone, the only insurance you legally need (external link) is employers’ liability insurance. However, if you’re a member of the Architects Registration Board (ARB) you’re required to also have professional indemnity insurance. Beyond that, many public and private contracts will require you to have a certain level of public liability cover before you commence work.

How much does architects’ PI insurance cost?

The cost of professional indemnity insurance for architects can vary, depending on the nature of your business, including its size. In general, however, costs start at £8.00. Get an online quote in five minutes to find out how much indemnity insurance could cost you.

*Figures based on an average of all professional indemnity policies sold to at least 10% of our customer base between April 2023 and April 2024


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