Construction/Surveyors

Professional Indemnity Insurance for Surveyors

Surveyors — building, quantity, valuation and party wall — provide professional advice that directly influences property transactions, construction costs and dispute outcomes. RICS requires all regulated firms to hold Professional Indemnity Insurance appropriate to their practice. Specialist cover is essential.

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Risk Exposure

Why Surveyors Need Professional Indemnity Insurance

Surveyors provide professional advice across a wide range of disciplines — building surveys, quantity surveying, valuation, party wall matters, dilapidations and boundary disputes. Each carries a distinct professional liability exposure.

A negligent valuation can lead to substantial lender losses. A building survey that misses significant defects can result in claims far exceeding the survey fee. Quantity surveying errors in measurement or cost advice can cause major cost overruns. Party wall errors can lead to property damage claims and statutory liabilities.

RICS requires all regulated firms to hold Professional Indemnity Insurance that is adequate and appropriate for their practice. The specific level depends on the disciplines practised, transaction values, and contractual requirements. PLB arranges specialist cover for surveying firms of all sizes.

Scope of Cover

Typical Activities Covered

Building surveys and condition assessments
Quantity surveying and cost management
Residential and commercial valuation
Party wall surveys and awards
Dilapidations assessments and claims
Boundary and rights of light disputes

Illustrative Claims Scenarios

Typical Claims Scenarios

The following scenarios are illustrative examples only and are intended to demonstrate the types of claims Professional Indemnity Insurance is designed to respond to.

1

Valuation Overstatement

A surveyor's commercial valuation overstates the market value of a property. The lender suffers a loss on repossession and pursues a Professional Indemnity claim for the difference in value, plus interest and costs.

2

Building Survey Failure to Identify Defects

A residential building survey fails to identify significant structural movement requiring underpinning. The purchaser pursues a Professional Indemnity claim for remediation costs and diminution in value.

3

Quantity Surveying Measurement Error

A QS's measurement error leads to significant under-pricing of a major contract element. Professional Indemnity claims arise from both the contractor and the employer for the losses flowing from the error.

Proposal Information

What Underwriters Usually Ask

When we approach the market on your behalf, underwriters will typically require the following information. We guide you through this process.

01Surveying disciplines practised and proportion of income from each
02Typical property values and transaction sizes
03Whether valuation work is undertaken and for what client types
04Professional qualifications and RICS membership status
05Use of standard RICS terms of engagement
06Claims history over the past six years
07Whether the firm undertakes expert witness or litigation support work

Why Choose PLB

Specialist Surveyors PI Brokers

Sector Expertise

We understand the specific professional risks facing surveyors and arrange cover that responds to your actual exposures.

Market Access

Access to specialist Professional Indemnity underwriters and markets with experience in this sector.

Personal Service

Deal directly with experienced PI specialists who know your sector — not a call centre or an algorithm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Surveyors — Common Questions

Get Started

Request a Quotation

Complete our specialist proposal form and a Professional Indemnity broker will review the information provided and contact you within one working day.

No obligation quotation
Direct access to specialist PI broker
Response within one working day
Independent, advice-led service
Start Your Quotation
PLB

Professional Indemnity Brokers

Specialist Professional Indemnity Insurance brokers providing expert advice to businesses and professionals across the United Kingdom.

0800 061 4262mail@plb.insure
International House, 36–38 Cornhill, London EC3V 3NG

PLB Professional Indemnity Brokers is a trading style of Professional Liability Brokers Limited registered in England & Wales (No. 09847323).

Professional Liability Brokers Limited is an Appointed Representative of Acrisure Eleven Network Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 314593).

The applicable Terms of Business will be provided to clients and introducing agents separately, according to the nature of the relationship.

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