Professional Liability E&O Policy Feature Checklist
What to confirm in a professional liability e&o policy — what's standard, what's often limited, and what to add if needed — plus the gap most often missed.
Pull out your current professional liability policy and check the box next to each feature you can confirm it includes — anything unchecked is worth a quick conversation with your advisor.
Tick each feature you can confirm your policy includes — anything left unticked is a good question for your next policy review.
| Confirm? | Policy feature | What to confirm | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retroactive Date / Full Prior Acts | Claims-made coverage only responds to work after the retroactive date — confirm it reaches back far enough. | Standard | |
| Extended Reporting Period (Tail) | Covers claims reported after the policy ends, such as on retirement or a carrier change. | Often limited | |
| Defense Costs Outside the Limit | Confirm whether defense costs reduce the limit — they often do on E&O. | Often limited | |
| Contractual Liability | Promises beyond ordinary negligence (indemnities, guarantees) are often excluded. | Often limited | |
| Subcontracted Professionals | Confirm work performed by subcontractors on your behalf is covered. | If needed | |
| Regulatory & Disciplinary Defense | Covers defending licensing-board complaints. | If needed | |
| AI-Assisted Work | Confirm the policy doesn't exclude errors from AI tools used in client deliverables. | If needed |
The gap most often missed in this coverage
The most commonly missed gap in this coverage is the retroactive date. Professional liability is claims-made, so a lapse or carrier change without matching the prior retroactive date can leave years of past work uncovered — and contract promises beyond ordinary care are often excluded. Professionals should keep continuous coverage, match retroactive dates at renewal, and buy tail coverage when they retire or close.
Send us the checklist and we'll review your professional liability e&o coverage line by line, then market it across multiple carriers that compete for your account.
Related: Professional Liability Insurance · Professional Liability E&O Supplemental (apply) · All coverage checklists
Frequently asked questions
What should a professional liability e&o policy include?
Standard features to confirm in a professional liability e&o policy include Retroactive Date / Full Prior Acts. This checklist also flags the features that are often limited or sublimited and the ones to add if needed, with a plain-English note on each.
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 professional liability e&o 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.