Professional liability, also called errors and omissions, covers claims arising from the rendering of or failure to render professional services, including negligent advice and design. Commercial general liability specifically excludes this exposure, which is why a contract requiring both is asking for two distinct policies rather than one broader one.
Updated September 2026.
Why brokers care
Contracts involving design, consulting, engineering or any advisory element will require it, and it is the line most often missing when a certificate is checked quickly. It is almost always written on a claims made basis, so lapses and retroactive dates matter far more than on the general liability side. A client who changes carriers without prior acts coverage can lose protection for completed work.
What to check
- That the line appears at all, since it is a common omission
- The retroactive date and whether prior acts were carried forward
- Whether the scope of professional services matches the client's actual work
- Whether the contract requires it to be maintained after completion, and for how long
- That additional insured status is not assumed, since most forms do not permit it
Common mistake
Missing the line entirely. It is the coverage most often absent when a certificate is checked quickly, because general liability is present and the certificate looks populated.
Line-by-line checks are set out in the certificate review checklist.