Why do architects need insurance?
A client fall
An architect’s studio is often full of equipment for the design process including computers loaded with essential software plus drawing, measuring and cutting tools. Upon visiting your office to discuss an extension for her private home, your client trips on a roll of graph paper, breaking her wrist. Should she choose to make a claim, you will be covered for the legal costs of both defence and settlement with a public liability policy built into your architects’ insurance.
Protect your tools
The architectural process of your latest project is moving forwards, so you meet the client and contractor on site to discuss plans. You take your laser measurer to accurately amend your designs and visualise the next phase of the project. Unfortunately, the contractor knocks your arm as you’re taking measurements and your expensive piece of kit is broken. However, with the assistance of tool insurance, the cost of getting your measurer repaired or replaced is covered.
Stolen equipment
While you’re in the midst of working on numerous exciting projects, your office is broken into overnight. When you arrive in the morning, you discover expensive and important computer equipment has been taken and other business assets damaged. This theft means that work on projects has to stop and you lose both precious time and income as a result. Fortunately, including office insurance in your architects’ policy can cover the cost of equipment replacement to quickly get you back in business.
What cover is included in insurance for architects?
Public liability insurance
For many architects, coming into contact with members of the public is unavoidable, so insurance to protect against potential risks might provide welcome reassurance. Public liability can cover you if someone claims they’ve been injured, or their property damaged as a result of your business activities. This could be during work on anything from a public building to a private house extension. Include public liability cover in your policy and you could receive help with compensation as well as the legal costs of defending yourself against a claim.
Legal protection insurance
The nature of life as an architect might mean projects can overlap, leaving you to handle multiple contracts at any one time. Unfortunately for your finances, you might also find that those you work for issue late payments or don’t pay contracts. Delayed payments can be an issue in the construction industry, so you might stand to benefit from adding legal protection insurance to your tailored architects’ policy. Should you find yourself in a dispute with clients or contractors, legal protection covers the cost of protecting your business.
Office insurance
Your office is where you lay the foundations for any project you work on as an architect. Accompanying your honed skills and expertise are the tools and equipment crucial to carrying out your day-to-day work. Loss, damage or theft can be costly for your business whether these affect your specialist assets such as 3D scanning equipment or more general tools such as a laptop or tablet. Including office insurance in your tailored architects’ policy will protect your workspace and swiftly cover the cost of replacing or repairing vital equipment.
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, employers’ liability insurance and also professional indemnity.
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.
Get your quoteInsurance for architects: FAQs
Does my architect insurance cover me for working abroad?
Absolutely, providing you live in the UK, an architects’ insurance policy you tailor with Hiscox can cover you for work overseas.
We understand that the work of an architect isn’t limited to the country you live in and you could be invited to work on a dream project anywhere in the world.
Whether you’re embarking on a new venture as a self-employed architect and want to embrace every opportunity, or you’re the sought-after owner of an architectural firm, we’ve got you covered.
I need proof of cover before securing my next contract. Does Hiscox provide this?
Yes – at Hiscox, we understand that industries operate in different ways and certain sectors have particular expectations and regulations professionals need to follow.
That’s why we ensure you receive your proof of insurance in the form of policy documentation. When you buy a tailored policy online, this arrives by email within minutes. A certificate, or proof of insurance document, provides a summary of your policy.
You can expect this document to include the following:
- The type of cover you purchased
- Who is insured by the policy
- The insurance company you’re covered by
- Any limits on the policy
- The dates your insurance cover spans
What architect insurance do I need while working from home?
Architects working from home might want to consider a package of insurance to cover their home-based business for a number of potential risks.
Unless your home insurance policy is extremely comprehensive, there’s a chance your business won’t be covered by that alone. You’re also likely to handle sensitive client or contractor data on a tablet or laptop, so safeguarding against cyber risks could be a smart move.
Related articles and guides
Small Business Stars – Emily Barnes, Design for Me
Emily Barnes connects homeowners with design professionals, including architects and interior designers. Find out more about the Design for Me story with Hiscox.
How one small architecture outfit wowed Kevin McCloud
Small art and architectural practice Dallas Pierce Quintero started with a £500,000 design competition – learn how they wowed Kevin McCloud in this article.
Do I need public liability insurance?
A public liability policy might be an important type of insurance for an architect to have. Discover whether you need public liability insurance with this Hiscox guide.