Primary Professional Liability insurance protects you against liability or allegations of liability for injury or damages that have resulted from a negligent act, error, or omission that has arisen out of your professional capacity as an engineer. Your coverage insures payment of both compensatory damages and legal costs associated with a claim.
If you or your firm offer and provide professional engineering services to the public, you or your firm must hold a Certificate of Authorization (C of A). C of A holders assume professional responsibility for the services provided and are generally required to carry Primary Professional Liability insurance.
Completed applications can be submitted to BMS by email at ospe.insurance@bmsgroup.com or by mail. For any questions please contact BMS by phone at 1-844-294-2717. BMS Brokers can also provide a complimentary coverage review and provide a quotation to compare to your current policy.
Secondary Professional Liability insurance protects individuals against liability or allegations of liability for injury or damages that have resulted from a negligent act, error, or omission that has arisen out of your professional capacity as an engineer. This coverage is intended to supplement existing professional liability insurance, which members may hold through their employers or their own policies.
This coverage is not for firms, corporations, public entities or employers as these groups may be expected to carry specific professional liability coverage as part of their business.
OSPE individual members who are licensed Professionals in good standing with OSPE, including members in training, automatically receive Secondary Professional Liability Insurance.
A primary policy must be in force (whether active or on a run-off basis) to protect your firm. The secondary professional liability insurance will only respond once the primary policy has been exhausted and will protect individual engineers only.
Participants with Primary Professional Liability Insurance through the OSPE program have access to discounted Business coverage, including Commercial General Liability Insurance, Property and Directors’ and Officers’ Liability Insurance, Travel Insurance and Key Man Insurance, Cyber Security and Privacy Liability coverage is also available.
Please contact BMS at ospe.insurance@bmsgroup.com to recieve a copy of the appropriate application form.
OSPE Professional liability insurance coverage is written on a “claims made” form. This means that a policy must be in place when a claim is made, regardless of when the actual event took place. “Claims made” policies provide coverage as long as participants continue to renew insurance each year.
In the event that you retire, your professional liability insurance policy can be renewed and amended to a run-off coverage (Extended Reporting Period). Run-off coverage provides protection in the event that a lawsuit or complaint is filed against you in the future and resulting from past services. Please contact BMS by phone at 1-844-294-2717 or by email at ospe.insurance@bmsgroup.com if you would like to discuss your insurance needs if your business is closing or has been acquired.
The group plan allows participants to pool their collective risk and negotiate better rates with insurers – resulting in a more cost-effective product and premium savings for participants. The coverage offered through the program is comprehensive and offers coverage components not typically found with other providers. By insuring a large portfolio of engineering risks, the insurer can promptly become aware of any industry trends and respond accordingly to improve coverage.
All engineers are able to participate in the OSPE Insurance Program, regardless of OSPE membership. The secondary professional liability insurance is only available to OSPE members.