Professional Liability Insurance for Ottawa Forensic Experts

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Ottawa forensic expert on a crime scene.

The work of forensic specialists in Ottawa is often under intense scrutiny as there’s a lot riding on the results of your expert services and findings. Fortunately, professional liability insurance can protect your business from shouldering the costs of litigation. 

Sometimes referred to as errors and omissions insurance, professional liability insurance can help cover legal expenses if a client claims your forensic expertise resulted in financial damages 

EasyCover makes it simple for forensic experts in Ottawa to get their free quote and policy. The entire process takes about five minutes and can be completed online—there’s no need to pick up the phone to speak with a broker. To instantly receive your free quote, simply fill out our online form and provide a few details about your business and coverage options. It then takes just a few more minutes and clicks to purchase your policy. 

What is professional liability insurance? 

Professional liability insurance is geared towards individuals who provide expert advice or services for a living, including forensic experts in Ottawa. 

This coverage can provide protection if a client claims to have suffered financially due to an error in your forensic work. You must pay to defend yourself once named in a lawsuit—even if the claim is not warranted. Fortunately, professional liability insurance can help cover the following legal expenses: 

  • Lawyer fees 
  • Settlements 
  • Judgement awards 

 

Professional liability insurance claims for forensic experts 

No matter if you provide expert witness testimony, conduct independent investigations or produce toxicology reports, the smallest error in your work could have dire consequences for your client. They might sue to recover financial damages if they believe your work:  

  • contained mistakes 
  • disclosed incorrect information 
  • was not performed in a timely manner 
  • caused evidence spoilage 

Professional liability insurance can help forensic experts cover legal defence expenses when facing these and other claims of professional negligence. 

4 reasons forensic experts in Ottawa should have professional liability insurance  

 

  1. Your clients might require it. Clients often look for assurances that their forensic expert has proof of financial responsibility if something goes wrong. Carrying professional liability insurance is one way for forensic experts in Ottawa to demonstrate this.
  2. Your other insurance likely doesn’t protect your professional expertise or services. You might already have coverage should your business cause third-party injury or property damage, or suffer from a cyber breach, theft, fire or any other number of hazards. But professional liability insurance is typically the only coverage that provides protection if you are sued for the professional forensic advice or services you provided.
  3. You might make a mistake. Or, you could be wrongly accused of making an error. Either way, professional liability insurance can help forensic experts defend themselves against claims of negligence.
  4. Your livelihood depends on your business. Professional liability insurance can help forensic experts cover significant legal expense costs that could otherwise be financially catastrophic for your business. 

Should all forensic experts in Ottawa carry professional liability insurance? 

If you provide professional forensic advice or services, you should consider having professional liability insurance. This includes, but is not limited to, forensic experts who specialize in: 

  • Anthropology 
  • Archaeology 
  • Fingerprint examination 
  • Fire scene investigation 
  • Human contact traces 
  • Particulates and other traces 
  • Road traffic accident investigation 
  • Toxicology 

How much does professional liability insurance cost for forensic experts in Ottawa? 

Professional liability insurance rates are dependent on your professional situation. The following factors are considered when calculating premiums for forensic experts in Ottawa: 

  • your area of forensic expertise; 
  • the number of employees listed on the policy; 
  • the annual revenue of your business;  
  • your level of coverage; and, 
  • your insurance and claims history. 

Forensic experts in Ottawa can get their free quote easily online in just a matter of minutes with EasyCover. 

 

How much professional liability coverage should forensic experts have? 

With EasyCover, forensic experts in Ottawa can choose from three professional liability limits: 

  • $1 million 
  • $2 million 
  • $5 million 

Your optimal level of coverage is dependent on your professional situation. When choosing your limit, consider the level of risk in which you and your clients operate, as well as the potential size of a legal claim that could be made against you. 

One thing to keep in mind is that the limit you select will be the maximum amount you would receive for all approved claims made within your policy year—the limit is not per claim. 

 

Optional Coverage for Forensic Experts in Ottawa 

Besides offering professional liability insurance, EasyCover also has three optional coverages for forensic experts in Ottawa. 

Commercial General Liability Insurance (CGL) 

Commercial general liability insurance (CGL) is the most basic form of liability insurance.  It offers protection in the event that you or any of your employees accidentally injure a third party or cause damage to their property while carrying out business operations. This includes any injuries or damages that occur on your premises or on a client’s property. 

 CGL insurance is considered a critical coverage option and if you have professional liability insurance but leave CGL out, you may leave your business vulnerable. We start CGL coverage at $1 million but you can choose higher limits if desired or required. 

Keep in mind that this doesn’t cover damage or loss of your own tools, equipment and other property.

Directors and Officers Liability Insurance 

Directors and officers can be held personally responsible for their actions while serving on a board of directors if they have acted outside the law or failed to perform their duties properly.  Directors and officers liability insurance (D&O) is designed to offer protection for directors and officers, covering legal expenses from claims brought by regulatory bodies, suppliers and vendors, employees, creditors, and customers. 

Criminal penalties or offences will not be covered as this type of loss is not insurable by law 

Cyber Liability Insurance 

Cyber liability insurance is designed to help cover certain costs following an alleged or actual hacking event or privacy breach. EasyCover’s cyber liability coverage includes network security liability and privacy liability. It may help cover the cost of network security and privacy breach costs, business income interruption losses, defence costs, extortion fees, digital asset losses, and regulatory fines. 

Every policy has a specified limit, so be sure to familiarize yourself with yours and note any exclusions or separate deductibles. 

Protect yourself against the unexpected.

Protect yourself against the unexpected with Professional Liability Insurance for Forensic Experts in Ottawa from EasyCover.

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