Design & Construct vs Standard Professional Indemnity

Design & Construct (D&C) vs standard Professional Indemnity Insurance- who needs what?

Professional Indemnity Insurance is no longer just for traditional professionals like Accountants, Solicitors, Consulting Engineers and Architects.  Today, many other entities need Professional Indemnity insurance and standard PI policies are not suitable.

Berkley Insurance Australia’s specialised Design and Construct (D&C) insurance policy is a Professional Indemnity (PI) insurance policy, specifically designed to cater to entities that perform the physical construction or manufacture of products, goods, structures or buildings as well as having responsibility for the provision of any design, advice or any other professional services relating to those works­.  The policy provides protection for an Insured against Claims for financial loss arising out of an act, error or omission in the course of their professional activities and duties.

Who needs a Design & Construct Insurance policy?

Any professional who provides designs or advice and is involved or responsible for the physical construction should consider a D&C Professional Indemnity policy. A standard PI policy is appropriate for a professional who purely gives advice or supplies designs but once that entity becomes responsible for the actual construction of a building they are better off with a Design & Construct PI policy.

The BIA D&C policy has a broad definition of Activities & Duties that have been specifically designed to respond to the varied professional services that a Design and Construction contractor may be responsible for. The coverage under a D&C PI policy is governed by the Activities & Duties in the policy.

Do we still need to purchase a Public & Products Liability Policy?

Yes.  It is not the intention of the D&C PI policy to provide coverage for those exposures covered under a public and product liability insurance policy.

Contact us

If your client is involved with actual construction they should be covered under a D&C PI Policy. Contact your local BIA Underwriter for a quotation here.

Berkley Insurance Australia Design and Construct Policy Wording

Berkley Insurance Australia Professional Indemnity Policy Wording