Engineers
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What information do I need to provide for a quote
Last Updated: June 11, 2025In some cases, we can provide you with a quick indication of the premium with some basic information such as: The type of engineering services you provide Your annual turnover Your required limit of cover Your business location You can complete the quick quote form located on our Engineers page. For a full quote, you will need to complete an electronic Proposal Form. This collects additional information, including: The engineering disciplines you work in The types and sizes of projects you undertake Details of your clients and contractual obligations Any previous claims or known issues Registration or licensing details To get a written quote, please complete our online Engineering proposal form. If you have other questions, please feel free to contact our team.
What should I check in my contract for Insurance requirements
Last Updated: June 12, 2025Additional liability can be taken on by a business when signing a contract that can lead to issues with your insurance coverage. This is known as contractual liability. For more information, please visit our Contractual Liability Essentials page. Before entering into any contract, it is essential to carefully review the insurance clauses to ensure you meet the required expectations. Many engineering contracts, particularly those involving government bodies, large commercial projects or principal contractors, will specify certain types of insurance, coverage limits, and policy conditions that must be met. Key things to look for include: The type of insurance required, such as Professional Indemnity or Public Liability The minimum sum insured or limit of indemnity you are expected to carry The policy wording requirements, including clauses like retroactive cover or run-off periods Any request for naming other parties as an insured or waivers of subrogation Requirements for territorial limits or jurisdiction, especially if working across multiple states or countries If your policy does not meet the contractual requirements, you may be in breach of the agreement, which could result in delayed payment or affect your ability to make a claim. We recommend sending your contract to us before it is executed....
Are there State-Based Insurance requirements for Engineers
Last Updated: June 13, 2025Yes. While not all states currently regulate engineers through a formal registration scheme, some states and territories do have mandatory insurance requirements for engineers operating under specific legislation or licensing systems. The key state-based requirements include: Queensland: Engineers must be registered with the Board of Professional Engineers of Queensland (BPEQ) as an RPEQ. To be registered, you must hold appropriate Professional Indemnity Insurance that complies with the requirements set by the Board. Victoria: Engineers providing professional services in certain prescribed areas must be registered with the Business Licensing Authority (BLA) under the state’s Professional Engineers Registration Scheme. Holding Professional Indemnity Insurance is a condition of registration. New South Wales: Some engineers are subject to the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020, which includes mandatory registration and insurance requirements, particularly for engineers involved in building design or structural work on Class 2 buildings. Other states and territories have their own individual registration or insurance requirements for engineers, as seen below. While noting each state’s specific requirements, it is essential to recognise that clients and projects may still dictate the level of insurance coverage required. Our team can help you understand the requirements relevant to your location and field of engineering. Please...
What exposures does Professional Indemnity cover an Engineer for
Last Updated: June 12, 2025Professional Indemnity Insurance protects engineers from claims of negligence, breach of duty, or errors when providing a professional service. Common examples of covered exposures for engineers include: Miscalculations or flawed design specifications Incorrect engineering drawings or reports Certification errors or non-compliance with codes and standards Project delays resulting from documentation or communication issues Alleged failure to meet performance, safety or budgetary requirements Even if a claim has no merit, defence costs and investigation time can be significant. A professional indemnity policy will cover not only any agreed settlement costs but also defence and investigative costs to defend an action against you. At Webber Insurance, we understand the insurance needs of engineers and can help you determine which policy is right for your business. Contact us today for assistance.
What limit of Professional Indemnity cover does an Engineer require
Last Updated: June 12, 2025The limit of Professional Indemnity cover required for your engineering business will depend on several factors, including; Your Field of Engineering – Some engineering disciplines have a higher exposure if something goes wrong. Average Project Values – What amount are you exposed to if the worst possible thing happens? Contractual Obligation – Does your contract require you to have a certain level of coverage? Registration or State-based Requirements – Is there a minimum amount of coverage required to be registered in the state where you operate? Generally, the Professional Indemnity limits of cover available to Engineers are as follows: $1 million $2 million $5 million $10 million $20 million For sole practitioners or those working on smaller projects, the lower end of the limits generally meets requirements. Engineers involved in major infrastructure, government or commercial projects will require limits at the higher end. We can help you assess your business risk profile and provide multiple insurance limit options tailored to your needs. Speak to one of our team members today.
Why can Professional Indemnity premiums be high for Engineers
Last Updated: June 12, 2025Professional Indemnity premiums for engineers have increased in recent years due to a combination of market conditions and the nature of the engineering profession. Engineering work often carries a high level of risk, especially when it involves public safety, structural integrity, or complex project specifications. Claims can be significant in both cost and complexity, even when the engineer is not ultimately responsible for the fault. This has led insurers to reassess their appetite for certain disciplines and increase pricing to reflect the potential exposure. Other contributing factors include: A hardening insurance market, with fewer insurers offering Professional Indemnity cover to engineers A history of frequent or costly claims across the engineering industry Pressure on insurers to remain compliant with capital and risk standards, particularly for long-tail liability exposures Changes in risk appetite, especially for higher-risk disciplines like structural or geotechnical engineering Despite these challenges, we work closely with a panel of specialist insurers and underwriters to source competitive terms wherever possible. We also help you present your business clearly to insurers, supporting more favourable outcomes. Speak to our team today to find out how we can help support your business.
I do not provide Design Services – Do I still need Professional Indemnity Insurance
Last Updated: June 11, 2025Possibly. If your role includes site supervision, contract administration, project coordination or any form of advisory services, you may still be exposed to professional liability. Clients can allege that your involvement caused delays, compliance failures or financial loss, even if you did not create the design documents. As each scenario is different, we recommend discussing your exact scope of work with us so we can help determine whether Professional Indemnity Insurance is necessary.
What other types of Insurance do Engineers commonly require
Last Updated: June 12, 2025The most important form of insurance for an engineer is Professional Indemnity Insurance. This provides protection if a client alleges that your professional advice, design, certification or documentation has caused them financial loss. It is often a contractual requirement and is essential whether you work as a sole trader or operate a larger business. Depending on your business operations, you may also need to consider other types of insurance to protect your business and meet contractual obligations: Public Liability Insurance, especially if you attend construction sites or client premises Cyber Liability Insurance, if you store client data or use software-based tools in your workflow Management Liability Insurance, particularly for directors or company owners Business Pack Insurance, which can cover laptops, technical equipment and office contents Workers’ Compensation Insurance, protects staff if they get hurt or sick at work Each business will have its own unique insurance requirements. Contact us today to discuss how we can assist you.
What are some Engineer claims examples?
Last Updated: June 12, 2025Engineers are exposed to a wide range of risks when conducting their jobs. There will be times when issues arise that can lead to a claim being made or a defence having to be made against an accusation of poor performance. Whilst the following examples are fictional, they represent the type of real-world scenarios our clients face. It is important to note that even if you feel that you have met your professional obligations, you may still be involved in a claim. Claims examples: Civil Engineer – Design Errors or Incorrect Specifications A civil engineer was engaged to design the retaining walls for a residential subdivision. Due to an oversight in interpreting soil testing data, the design underestimated the pressure exerted by saturated clay soils during winter. This led to wall movement and necessitated remedial work, which cost a significant amount of money. The client filed a claim for negligent design and project delays due to the reconstruction. Structural Engineer – Failure to Account for Site Conditions A structural engineer provided framing specifications for a commercial building without considering the high-water table at the site. The oversight led to foundation instability during the early construction phases. As the builder incurred...
I am not a member of an association – Can Webber still assist me
Last Updated: June 12, 2025Yes we can! You do not need to be a member of Engineers Australia, APEA or any other professional association to arrange insurance through Webber Insurance. We assist engineers across all disciplines and business types, regardless of whether they hold formal memberships.
What should I consider as an Engineer with overseas clients
Last Updated: June 12, 2025If you are an engineer working with international clients or on overseas-based engineering projects, it is important to ensure your insurance policy includes appropriate coverage for these jurisdictions. Some policies are limited to claims arising from work performed in Australia or governed by Australian law. Specifically, work undertaken in North America is generally not included as standard with Professional Indemnity policies. Some Pacific and Asian countries also have specific insurance requirements to meet contractual requirements. You should check: Whether your Professional Indemnity policy includes worldwide cover, or cover specific to the countries where your clients are based If there are any exclusions for contracts governed by foreign law Whether the insurer will provide claims support for international disputes Please get in touch with us if you work with clients or projects outside of Australia, and we will ensure your policy is appropriately structured.