Attorney & Law Firm Malpractice Insurance
Attorneys and law firms face professional liability risks whenever clients rely on their legal advice, representation and services.
Clifton Insurance Agency helps solo attorneys, individual lawyers and law firms compare professional liability insurance based on their areas of practice, firm size, claims history and coverage needs.
Whether you are opening a new firm, purchasing your first policy or comparing alternatives to your current carrier, we can help you evaluate available options.
Complete the form below to request an attorney malpractice insurance quote or call 877-212-4368 for assistance.
- Serving Law Firms & Individual Attorneys Nationally
- Access to All A++ Rated Carriers
- Full Time & Part Time Policy Structures
- Cyber Liability & Other Policy Enhancements Included
- Financing Available in All States
Professional Liability Insurance for Attorneys
Lawyers professional liability insurance—often called attorney malpractice insurance—can provide protection against covered claims alleging errors, omissions or negligence in the delivery of professional legal services.
Coverage may be available for solo practitioners as well as firms with multiple attorneys.
Insurance companies typically consider factors such as the firm's areas of practice, number of attorneys, years in operation, claims history and previous insurance when evaluating coverage and pricing.
Coverage for Solo Attorneys & Law Firms
A solo attorney may have very different insurance needs from a multi-attorney firm.
Clifton Insurance Agency works with both individual attorneys and law firms to evaluate appropriate limits and policy options.
If your firm adds attorneys, expands into new practice areas or merges with another practice, your professional liability coverage should also be reviewed.
Why Your Areas of Practice Matter
The type of legal work your firm performs can have a significant effect on professional liability underwriting.
When requesting a quote, accurately report how the firm's work is divided among its practice areas. This helps insurers understand the firm's actual exposure and develop an appropriate proposal.
Material changes in practice areas should also be discussed with your insurance professional when they occur.
Claims-Made Coverage for Attorneys
Most lawyers professional liability insurance is written on a claims-made or claims-made-and-reported basis. This makes continuous coverage, prior-acts protection and the policy's retroactive date particularly important.
If an attorney retires, closes a firm or changes insurance arrangements, extended reporting or “tail” coverage may need to be considered.
Do not allow claims-made coverage to lapse without first understanding how work performed under the previous policy will remain protected.
More Than Professional Liability
Law firms can have other insurance exposures beyond legal malpractice.
Depending on the firm, additional coverage may include cyber liability, general liability, property and other business insurance.
Cyber coverage can be especially important for firms that maintain confidential client information, financial records and other sensitive data.
What Should Attorneys Look for in a Professional Liability Policy?
Price is important, but attorneys should also pay attention to policy limits, deductibles, defense provisions, prior-acts coverage, retroactive dates and exclusions.
Two policies with similar premiums can provide materially different protection.
Clifton Insurance Agency can help you compare both pricing and policy terms so you understand the coverage being considered.
Why Work With Clifton Insurance Agency?
Clifton Insurance Agency has specialized in professional liability and niche insurance markets since 1982 and provides coverage options for attorneys and law firms nationwide.
Our goal is to understand your practice and help identify professional liability options that fit your firm's particular risk and coverage requirements.
Request an Attorney Malpractice Insurance Quote
Tell us about your law firm, areas of practice, number of attorneys and current coverage using the quote request form.
Clifton Insurance Agency can then help you compare available attorney professional liability insurance options.
Request a quote online or call 877-212-4368 for assistance.
Attorney Malpractice Insurance FAQs
Do attorneys need malpractice insurance?
Requirements vary by jurisdiction and circumstance, but attorneys and firms can face claims alleging errors or omissions arising from professional legal services. Individual firms should evaluate their professional liability exposure and applicable requirements.
Is attorney malpractice insurance the same as professional liability insurance?
In this context, the terms are commonly used to describe coverage for claims alleging errors, omissions or negligence in providing professional legal services.
Is lawyers professional liability insurance claims-made?
Most lawyers professional liability policies are written on a claims-made basis. The retroactive date, reporting requirements and continuity of coverage are therefore important considerations.
Can solo attorneys get malpractice insurance?
Yes. Professional liability options are available for solo practitioners as well as multi-attorney firms, subject to underwriting.
Does attorney malpractice insurance include cyber liability?
Not necessarily. Some policies may offer cyber-related enhancements, but dedicated cyber insurance may provide broader protection. The available coverage should be reviewed rather than assumed.