Does professional indemnity cover client negligence claims?

NAIC describes professional liability or errors and omissions insurance as covering wrongful professional practices, including professional advice and service errors. Its glossary stresses that cover is tailored to the profession. Start with the services named in your own policy, not your job title alone. [C1, C2]

These are US public explanations of insurance concepts, not evidence of a Hong Kong compulsory-insurance rule. This guide does not declare that every consultant or regulated professional must buy the same cover. Ask your professional regulator or a Hong Kong lawyer about duties specific to your work. [C1, C2]

NAIC distinguishes general liability for matters such as visitor injury from professional liability arising from incorrect advice or services. Its business insurance FAQ warns that standard general liability does not cover professional errors and omissions. Do not infer professional protection from a general liability certificate. [C1]

For a Hong Kong contract, ask the insurer or a licensed broker to identify the clause addressing your actual service. Have it explain whether the insured is the practice, the individual, or both. Use the distinction as a question for contract review, not as a substitute for reading the policy. [C1, C2]

NAIC’s glossary identifies claims-made as a liability policy form with submission requirements tied to the policy term. Ask the insurer to explain exactly when a claim must be made against you and when it must be reported, using the wording of your contract. [C2]

Prepare a chronology of the work, allegation and insurer notification. Ask which policy and reporting provisions should be reviewed. Do not assume the date you performed the work alone determines which insurer responds, or that notifying someone outside the stated route completes notification. [C2]

Ask for written answers about past projects, any retroactive date, known circumstances and reporting arrangements after cover ends. Ask separately which defence expenses need consent and how they interact with the limit and any excess. These are review questions, not promises of standard extensions. [C2]

Take the client contract, service description, earlier policies and allegation to a licensed broker and, for a live dispute, a lawyer. Ask them to identify the relevant insured duty and contractual response. No public definition can determine the outcome of your particular negligence claim. [C1, C2]

Is this about errors in professional services?

Yes. That is the concept described in NAIC’s professional liability explanation. [C1]

Does a public liability certificate prove advice cover?

No. NAIC distinguishes general liability from professional errors and omissions. [C1]

Is every professional policy identical?

No. The glossary describes cover tailored to the profession. [C2]

Is the work date alone enough for claims-made cover?

No. Check the policy-term submission requirements and actual wording. [C2]

Can I assume all past work is covered?

No. Ask for a written review of past-work terms in the actual contract. [C2]

Are defence costs automatically unlimited?

This guide establishes no such benefit; ask for the contract’s cost provisions. [C2]

Do these US sources establish Hong Kong compulsory rules?

No. Obtain profession-specific Hong Kong regulatory or legal advice separately. [C1, C2]

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We provide information and referrals to a licensed Hong Kong broker; regulated advice and arrangements belong with that broker. Mainland visitors must sign in Hong Kong. Do not send identity, tax or medical documents through the general enquiry form. [C9]

Public sources; general information, not advice.