Patent Agent Insurance Coverage Checklist
The coverages a patent agent business may carry — core, prevalent, and situational — why each matters, and the gap most often missed.
Pull out your current policy and check the box next to any coverage you can confirm is already in place — anything unchecked is worth a quick conversation with your advisor. Coverage checklist for registered patent agents and patent prosecution firms. Priorities reflect typical exposure for this class; confirm against your actual services, contracts, and clients.
Tick each coverage you can confirm you carry — anything left unticked is a good question for your next policy review.
| Have it? | Coverage | Why this business needs it | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patent Agent Professional Liability | Covers lost patent rights from missed deadlines and errors. | Core | |
| USPTO / OED Disciplinary Defense | Covers OED investigations that many policies exclude or sublimit. | Core | |
| Cyber / Privacy Liability | Covers unpublished inventions and USPTO account compromise. | Core | |
| Prior Acts Coverage | Covers prosecution errors that surface years later. | Core | |
| Subpoena / Deposition Coverage | Covers prosecutors deposed in inequitable conduct fights. | Prevalent | |
| Crime / Social Engineering | Covers diverted USPTO fees and client funds. | Prevalent | |
| Business Owner's Policy | Covers office premises and equipment. | Prevalent | |
| Extended Reporting Period (Tail) | Covers claims after you retire. | Situational | |
| Employment Practices Liability | Covers firms with docketing staff. | Situational | |
| Vicarious Liability Endorsement | Covers errors in foreign-associate referral chains. | Situational |
The coverage gap most often missed
The gap most often missed by patent agents is USPTO disciplinary defense. Attorney policy forms often assume state bar discipline, while patent agents face OED proceedings that can end in suspension or exclusion — triggered as much by entity-status certifications and account misuse as by missed deadlines. Confirm the policy names USPTO/OED proceedings.
Send us the checklist and we'll review your patent agent coverage line by line, then market it across multiple carriers that compete for your account.
Related: Patent Agent Insurance · Patent Agent Supplemental (apply) · All coverage checklists
Frequently asked questions
What insurance does a patent agent business need?
The core coverages for a patent agent business are Patent Agent Professional Liability, USPTO / OED Disciplinary Defense, Cyber / Privacy Liability, Prior Acts Coverage. This checklist also lists the prevalent and situational coverages worth considering, with a plain-English note on why each matters.
Is this checklist insurance advice?
No. It is a free educational tool to help you have a more informed conversation with a licensed professional. It affords no coverage and is not insurance, legal, or financial advice — only your actual policy language governs what is and isn't covered.
Can Cory Washington & Co. review my patent agent coverage?
Yes. Share your checklist and we'll review your program line by line, market your account across multiple carriers, and explain the trade-offs in plain English. Cory Washington & Co. LLC is licensed in all 50 states.
This checklist is a free educational tool from Cory Washington & Co. to help you review your own coverage and have a more informed conversation with a licensed insurance professional. It is general information only — not insurance, legal, or financial advice, and not a recommendation to buy, change, or cancel any policy. Coverage terms, availability, limits, and requirements vary by policy, carrier, and state, and only the language in your actual policy governs what is and isn’t covered. Checking or leaving blank any item above does not indicate that you are adequately insured or under-insured. Using this checklist does not create a client, agency, or fiduciary relationship. Always consult a licensed professional about your specific situation.