Professional Liability Insurance for Forensic Experts in Calgary
Calgary forensic experts are exposed to legal risks from expert testimony and case analysis. Professional liability (E&O) insurance helps protect against claims tied to your professional role.
Errors and omissions insurance for forensic experts in Calgary
As a forensic expert based in Calgary, you have an important role in helping to resolve civil disputes and uphold the law in the community. Since a key part of your role is supporting legal proceedings, you want to make sure that you’re protected against professional liability risks.
Professional liability insurance (sometimes known as errors and omissions or E&O) protects you in the event of a lawsuit alleging negligence, errors or omissions as a result of your work or advice.
Interested in purchasing your professional liability online in minutes?
Acera Insurance offers EasyCover where you can get a quote, bind your policy and pay online in only a few short minutes. Get comprehensive coverage and affordable rates quickly and easily.
Here are some of the benefits of EasyCover:
- Get free online quotes 24/7
- No long, confusing applications to fill out
- Purchase and manage your policy online
- Support by phone, email or chat
- Option to bundle with other coverages
What does professional liability insurance for Calgary forensic experts cover?
Professional liability insurance is designed for professionals, such as forensic experts in Calgary, who earn their living providing specialized advice or services. It offers financial protection if a client alleges that they suffered financial or professional losses due to a mistake or oversight in your forensic work.
Once you’re named in a lawsuit, even if its unfounded, you’re responsible for your defence costs. This coverage can help with expenses that include legal fees, settlement payments and court-awarded judgments.
How much professional liability coverage does a forensic expert in Calgary need?
EasyCover offers forensic experts three professional liability limits to choose from:
- $1 million
- $2 million
- $5 million
Please note the liability limit you select is the maximum amount you would receive for approved claims made within a calendar year.
When determining your liability limit, you should consider the level of professional risk that your business operates in. Do some research into past legal claims against professionals. in your industry and the size of the legal claims made against them.
We do recommend choosing a professional liability limit of at least $2 million. While a lower limit may seem like enough, legal costs can add up quickly and consume that amount.
E&O insurance for Calgary forensic experts
You should consider professional liability insurance if you provide professional advice or services. This includes (but is not limited to) forensic experts who specialize in:
- Anthropology
- Archeology
- Fingerprint Examination
- Fire Scene Investigation
- Human Contact Traces
- Particulates and Other Traces
- Road Traffic Accident Investigation
- Toxicology
Don’t see your specialty? Contact us and we’ll work to find a solution for you.
Calgary forensic experts E&O claims examples
Here are a few claims scenarios where Calgary forensic experts would benefit from professional liability insurance.
Incorrect evidence analysis
During a criminal case, a forensic expert misinterprets lab results which lead to the wrongful implication of a suspect. The wrongfully convicted individual sues you for damages after being cleared.
Chain of custody breach
The improper documentation of evidence handling by one of your employees results in key evidence being deemed inadmissible in court. The client claims financial and reputational harm against your company following the verdict.
Fire scene investigation
During a fire investigation, you incorrectly identify the cause as arson due to misinterpreting burn patterns. The property owner, later cleared of wrongdoing, files a lawsuit claiming reputational damage and financial loss.
What factors determine the rate of professional liability insurance for forensic professionals in Calgary?
Your professional liability insurance rates are determined by a number of factors related to your profession and business in Calgary. Some that are considered when calculating your insurance premiums are:
Insurance and claims history
If you have previous claims or missed payments, this can increase your premiums.
Annual revenue
Higher income often reflects a greater workload or more complex projects, which can elevate both the risk and potential cost of claims.
Number of employees
The more people insured under your policy, the more it increases your liabilities and the cost of your insurance policy.
Area of expertise
The different areas of expertise can have different levels of risk and legal exposures associated with them depending on the work.
Policy choices and limits
Selecting higher policy limits typically increases your premium, as will adding extra coverages such as cyber liability, directors and officers liability, or commercial general liability insurance.
To help decide your insurance costs and coverage, you can get a free quote online in just a few minutes with EasyCover.
How much does E&O insurance for Calgary forensic experts cost?
Since premium can vary based on your area of expertise, policy limits, company size and annual revenue, below are a few premium examples:
- A forensic anthropologist making $70,000 annually could expect to pay $660 per year for a basic $2 million professional liability policy.
- A fire scene investigator whose small business employs two other people and brings in $180,000 in annual revenue would expect to pay $974 for a $2 million professional liability insurance. Adding in commercial general liability and cyber liability policies would bring their premiums up to approximately $1344 annually.
Get an online professional liability insurance quote today to view your exact rate.
Risk management strategies for Calgary forensic experts
Ensuring you have proper risk management strategies in place to prevent future claims is an important part of setting yourself and your business up for success. Some risk management steps you should take include:
Detailed Documentation
Maintaining rigorous documentation of every step of your investigation. This includes recording methodologies, findings, and communications, to create a defensible paper trail in case of disputes.
Maintain Strict Procedures
Following established protocols and standards to help verify all your data and findings. Implement strict procedures for collecting, labelling, storing and transferring evidence to avoid challenges to its admissibility.
Clear Communication
Use clear and objective language in reports that is facts-based and written to be understandable for readers outside of your field of expertise.
Stay Informed & Educated
Keeping up to date on advancements in forensic methods, laws and regulations through continuous education and training.
Additional liability coverage options for forensic professionals in Calgary
EasyCover also has three optional coverages for forensic experts in Calgary to add alongside your professional liability insurance.
Commercial General Liability Insurance (CGL)
Commercial general liability (CGL) insurance is a foundational type of business liability protection. It helps cover situations where you or your employees unintentionally cause bodily injury to someone else or damage to their property while performing your work. This applies to incidents occurring at your workplace or while at a client’s location. EasyCover’s CGL policies start at $1 million in coverage, with the option to select higher limits if needed.
Note that this coverage does not extend to loss or damage involving your own tools, equipment or other business property.
Keep in mind, CGL does not cover physical property involving your own computers, networking gear, or other business assets.
Directors and Officers (D&O) Liability Insurance
If you serve on a board as a director or officer, you can be held personally responsible for breaking the law or failing to perform your duties which results in harm to others. Directors and officers liability insurance (D&O) helps to cover the legal expenses brought by employees, clients, regulatory bodies and other parties. However, criminal offences or penalties are not insurable under Canadian law.
Cyber Liability Insurance
Cyber liability insurance helps protect your business from specific expenses that can arise after a suspected or confirmed cyberattack or data breach. EasyCover’s coverage includes both network security and privacy liability, with protection that can extend to expenses for breach response, system recovery, lost business income, legal defence, ransom payments, digital asset replacement and certain regulatory penalties.
Each policy has its own coverage limit, so it’s important to review yours carefully and be aware of any exclusions or separate deductibles.
Since coverage limits and exclusions can vary, it’s vital to review your policy in detail to ensure it meets the specific requirements of your IT operations.
Why Calgary forensic experts trust EasyCover for their E&O coverage
With EasyCover, getting insured is fast, simple and entirely online. In just minutes, you can:
- Get free, no-obligation quotes anytime.
- Complete a short, hassle-free application with no complicated paperwork.
- Manage your policy securely whenever it’s convenient for you.
- Get help from our team by phone, email or live chat.
- Combine coverages for convenience and efficiency.
All EasyCover policies include retroactive coverage, which means that your past work is protected as long as your policy is active. If a claim arises from a previous case, your insurance can respond, provided you disclosed any known potential issues at the time you applied for your policy.
Ready to get your free forensic experts professional liability insurance quote?
Simple answer a few questions to immediately receive a quote, bind your policy and pay online in only a few short minutes.