Professional liability insurance for professionals working in Portugal
A professional mistake can be worth far more than the fee the work itself generated. We arrange professional liability (errors & omissions) cover for consultants, engineers, accountants, IT professionals and other activities whose advice or service is, in itself, the product — in English, from an ASF-registered broker.
Get my free quote (48-72h)Cover for the advice you give, not a generic risk
Professional liability insurance does not cover “everything that could go wrong.” It covers financial loss caused to a client or a third party by an error, an omission or technically incorrect advice given in the course of your activity — not physical injury or property damage, which are handled by other liability covers.
When the exposure is financial, not physical
For a consulting-type activity, the risk is rarely physical harm. It is the decision that turned out wrong, the deadline that was missed, the report with an error a client relied on. The financial exposure from that mistake can be far greater than the fee the work itself generated — that is the imbalance professional liability cover exists to address.
We compare, you choose
We're an insurance broker registered with the ASF, not tied to a single insurer. We work with a select panel of international insurers — chosen for the contract terms they offer and how they respond to a claim, not for the cheapest premium — and recommend what actually fits your activity. Free, and with no obligation.
Get your free quote
Tell us the essentials and we'll come back to you within 48 to 72 business hours — a careful look at your real exposure takes longer than a generic form.
By sending this form you agree to us using your details to prepare and discuss your quote, in line with our privacy policy. We never sell your data. Adler & Rochefort is a trading name of Ownizo, Unipessoal Lda., registered with the ASF under no. 425591790/3.
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Main covers
- Errors and omissions. The core of the cover: a technical error, incorrect advice or an omission that causes financial loss to a client.
- Professional negligence. Failure to meet the standard of care expected of the activity, even without intent to cause harm.
- Legal defence costs. The cost of defending a claim, even an unfounded one, is often among the largest parts of a professional-liability loss.
- Damage to third parties. Financial loss caused to a third party who is not a direct client but relied on the work delivered.
- Loss of documents. Loss of or damage to documents entrusted by the client in the course of the activity.
- Breach of confidentiality. Unintentional disclosure of confidential client information.
Who this is for
Consultants, lawyers, engineers, doctors, architects, accountants and complementary-therapy professionals — any activity where the advice or service provided is, in itself, the product. In several of these professions, professional liability cover is required by the relevant professional body or association; in others it is a recommended, but not compulsory, protection. The exact requirement depends on the activity and should be confirmed with the relevant regulator.
Two other exposures, often confused with this one
Professional liability protects the advice and the service you provide. Two other exposures are commonly mistaken for it:
- Directors & Officers (D&O). Protects the personal assets of managers and directors for management decisions — a liability that sits with the individual director, distinct from the company's own liability. Read more about D&O insurance.
- Cyber risk. Ransomware, business interruption and data breaches. For companies handling client data electronically, we place Hiscox CyberClear 360° in partnership with Hiscox — a distinct cover from professional liability. Read more about cyber insurance for businesses.
Common mistakes
- Confusing professional liability with public (general) liability. Public liability covers physical injury and property damage caused by accidents on your premises. Professional liability covers the financial loss resulting from an error in the service delivered. They are different covers, and often both are needed.
- Not reviewing the capital as the activity grows. The capital contracted at the start of a consulting activity rarely keeps pace with the growth of the client portfolio or the value of the projects taken on since.
- Not confirming the retroactive date. Many professional liability policies operate on a “claims-made” basis — they respond to claims made during the policy period, even if the error happened earlier. Switching insurer without confirming retroactive cover can leave a gap in exposure.
Insurers we work with
Frequently asked questions
Is professional liability insurance mandatory in Portugal?
It depends on the activity. Several professional bodies and associations require a minimum professional-liability capital from their members; in other activities it is advisable but not legally imposed. Check with your own regulator.
What is the difference between professional liability and public liability?
Public (general) liability covers physical injury and property damage caused to third parties on your premises or through your activity. Professional liability covers the financial loss resulting from an error, omission or negligence in the service you provide.
Is professional liability the same as D&O insurance?
No. Professional liability protects the service delivered to clients. D&O protects the personal assets of directors and managers for the company's management decisions. They are distinct risks and covers.
What does “claims-made” mean?
Most professional-liability policies respond to claims made during the policy period, regardless of when the error occurred. When switching insurer, it is important to confirm the retroactive period that is covered.
How is the professional liability capital calculated?
It depends on the activity, the size of the projects or contracts, turnover and, in some professions, a minimum required by the professional body. The solutions we place start from €250,000 of capital and rise from there according to the actual exposure — we analyse that exposure before suggesting a capital.
How long does a quote take?
48 to 72 business hours. The form collects only the essentials to get started — profession, requested capital and the rest of the detail are covered in the follow-up call, before any concrete plan with compared options.
I found a cheaper quote. How do I compare?
A meaningful premium difference on the same risk almost always comes down to one of these: capital contracted, legal defence included within the capital rather than on top of it, an absent or insufficient retroactive date, and a narrower declared scope of activity than the actual practice. We review any competing quote free of charge and tell you exactly where the difference lies — even if the conclusion is that you should keep the other one.
Related reading
- What happens when your consultant makes a €500,000 mistake? — real cases and what to demand from your PI policy.
- Professional indemnity insurance requirements in Portugal.
- Directors & Officers (D&O) insurance — a related but distinct cover for directors and managers.
- Cyber insurance for businesses in Portugal — relevant for firms handling client data electronically.
- Private Clients — if the risk is about your personal assets rather than your professional activity.