Professional Indemnity Insurance for Architects
Every successful construction project begin with a good design. and the original designer is a client who approaches a professional designer, architect, to interpret and fine tune the dream into practical form.
In the intricate act of balancing a client’s visual aesthetics and practical functionality, there lies inherent risks, right from the originator to dealing with all professional stakeholders involved.
Why do Architects need professional indemnity cover?
- Client miscommunication. – This may arise from lack of visual clarity between the client and the architect leading to undesired outcome.
- Change in scope over time. – This may arise due to frequent client’s design adjustments requests which may alter original design leading to miscalculations.
- Where multiple designers are involved, they may interpret design differently leading to errors and omissions. This call for design revision.
- Working with contactors whose project conception doesn’t align with architect’s design. Lack of uniformity in design leading to repetitive tasks.
- Poorly defined scope. – Architectural scope is expressed in terms of breadth, depth and time. If they are not grasped by all project stakeholders, intended solution may be achieved.
- Unexpected building defects. – This call for complete rebuild ultimately leading to wasted materials, labor costs and lost time.
- Misunderstandings with construction stakeholders. A construction project involves various professionals i.e. architects, quantity surveyors, engineers and contractors. In the midst of passing information and briefs, some vital update may not be picked as meant leading to costly errors.
- Change Orders. – Where they are not communicated effectively, understood or missed out, blame game may arise which may affect harmonious work relationship.
- Weather disruptions. – Adverse change in weather not only pose safety risk to workers on site but may lead to delays where the pace of work has to scale down.
- Regulatory Changes.- This has potential to change project design, scope, cost and prolonged timeline to complete project.
- Incompliance compliance with environmental regulations. – Where enforcement is employed, project may stall indefinitely.
- Poor project management. – From inception to completion, an architect is entrusted to oversee full delivery of the project as expected. When the duties are absconded, ramifications may be catastrophic in terms of liability.
What Professional Indemnity Insurance for Architects Cover.
- Protection against design flaws.
This are calculation errors of vital measurements.
- Errors and omissions related to projects.
- Project management risks.
- Professional negligence.
- Legal defense cost.
- Judgement award settlement.
- Libel & Slander/Defamation.
- Loss of documents.
- Fraud/Employee dishonesty.
- Retroactive cover.
- Reinstatement cover.
- Run Off Cover.
This cover unknown liability which has been experienced after a firm has folded operations. It’s as per indicated retroactive date.