Error
And Omission Insurance: protects business professionals whose
clients could claim damages as a result of the business professional's faulty
performance, the faulty performance may be because of a neglient act, error, or omission
by the professional; hence, the name of the insurance.
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Errors and omissions insurance protects the business professional by
shielding his or her assets and paying for his or her defense if a client makes
a claim. It protects the professional's clients by ensuring that there will be
adequate funds to pay for damages incurred if the professional's services are
deemed to be faulty.
Errors and
omissions insurance is important for professionals such as Estate Planners and
Financial Consultants. If you provide professional services that involve getting
paid for advice, you should check to see whether or not provincial legislation
requires you to carry errors and omissions insurance.
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Other types of business professionals who might need errors and omissions
insurance include computer consultants, software developers, planners,
architects, accountants... In other words, if your clients might sue you for
damages resulting from faulty performance of your services, you should consider
carrying errors and omissions insurance, because We live in an increasingly litigious society. For small businesses in
particular, the chances of getting sued for professional liability are greater
than ever. However, most small businesses - with the notable exception of health
care and real estate - are not aware of how to construct an insurance portfolio
that will mitigate the risks of such litigation. Learn the role of errors and
omissions (E & O) insurance, how to safeguarding your small business and how
improvement in business processes must accompany an E & O insurance
purchase. Who Needs E&O?
While errors and omissions insurance has been a hot item for doctors,
lawyers, financial services professionals and realtors, all businesses face
professional liability risk. To determine whether you need E&O, ask yourself
: "Can I afford to wage or lose a civil lawsuit arising out of professional
error on my part?" For the majority of small businesses, the answer is no.
That's because the American legal system tends to severely punish professional
error with award judgments in seven figures and up. Even if you win a lawsuit,
there's the question of paying the lawyers.
If you subject E&O to a quick risk-benefit analysis, you'll see that the
annual premium, which is generally affordable, yet varied depending on how many
individual employees you insure, and the nature of your business, is well worth
the protection. Remember, the vast majority of small businesses can be shut down
by a single unfavorable ruling in court.
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