What this guide helps you evaluate
Independent software engineers, consultants and development firms evaluating professional liability coverage.
Prepared by the PROFENG Editorial & Engineering Team. This page is designed to help you compare the moving parts, organize due diligence and ask better questions before you commit money, sign a contract or change an operating process.
What to compare first
- Revenue and payroll size
- Type of software, client industry and contract limits
- Past claims and years in business
- Policy limit, deductible and retroactive date
- Whether cyber, technology E&O or contractual liability extensions are included
Step-by-step process
- 01
List the services you actually perform and the industries you serve.
- 02
Collect client contract insurance requirements and indemnity language.
- 03
Ask quotes to use the same limits, deductible and retroactive date.
- 04
Compare defense-cost treatment, exclusions and sublimits before premium.
- 05
Review whether subcontractors and prior work are covered.
Common mistakes and risk checks
- Buying only on premium without reading exclusions.
- Assuming general liability covers professional coding or design errors.
- Allowing a claims-made policy to lapse without considering tail or prior-acts coverage.
How to use and verify this guide
Use the comparison criteria and questions as a decision framework, then verify current prices, legal requirements, technical specifications, service terms and regulatory obligations with the primary or official references listed above. PROFENG explains its source, calculation and review principles on the methodology page.