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Does anyone have information on professional liability insurance for planners?
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Professional liability insurance
- Thread starter northeast planner
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Jerry Weitz
Cyburbian
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It can be a little difficult to get sometimes, and you need to have general liability insurance as a precondition. Check your Planning Magazine for an ad by Leatzow & Associates and then call them. They run their ad frequently in planning magazine. They have good rates, but I've got mine with someone else. Shouldn't be more than $1500 a year for a small general planning practice, minimum amount. Rate may go down if you are an AICP member.
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plan4green
Member
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Is it needed?
My question relates to the value of having it. It appears as it is becoming a requirement to work for governmental agencies, but since we only provide advice and do not certify plans for safety such as an engineer does, why do we need it?
My question relates to the value of having it. It appears as it is becoming a requirement to work for governmental agencies, but since we only provide advice and do not certify plans for safety such as an engineer does, why do we need it?
Cardinal
Cyburbian
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Some communities require it. From my experience, the larger the community, the more likely they will be to require it.
There are two general concerns. The first is related to professional practice. If the planner makes an error, is there likely to be an impact that could potentially result in a claim? At first blush it may seem like the answer is no, since we do not "put a stamp" on anything. But consider what may happen if we advise the community to do something that may be inappropriate or even illegal. This does not happen often, but I have reviewed the work of other consultants who have clearly advised their clients in ways that have caused their client to act illegally. In some cases, this has had a cost of several million dollars.
The second issue is more in the line of general liability. If, while acting as a consultant for the community, you get in or cause an accident, are you covered? Do you have the capacity to defend the community against claims?
I used the firm referenced above for my insurance needs when I was an independent consultant. My cost was about $1200 per year.
There are two general concerns. The first is related to professional practice. If the planner makes an error, is there likely to be an impact that could potentially result in a claim? At first blush it may seem like the answer is no, since we do not "put a stamp" on anything. But consider what may happen if we advise the community to do something that may be inappropriate or even illegal. This does not happen often, but I have reviewed the work of other consultants who have clearly advised their clients in ways that have caused their client to act illegally. In some cases, this has had a cost of several million dollars.
The second issue is more in the line of general liability. If, while acting as a consultant for the community, you get in or cause an accident, are you covered? Do you have the capacity to defend the community against claims?
I used the firm referenced above for my insurance needs when I was an independent consultant. My cost was about $1200 per year.