Professional Errors and Omissions Insurance is a type of errors and omissions insurance protects business professionals whose clients could claim damages as a result of the business professionals' faulty performance. The faulty performance may be because of a negligent act, error, or omission by the professional.
Why Should Accountants and Bookkeepers Get Errors and Omissions Insurance?
By James Cochran 
A common misconception is that doctors and lawyers are the only professionals in need of Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance. In fact, nearly every organization that provides a service to a client for a fee has E&O exposure, and because professional requirements are broadly defined in legal terms, Professional Liability insurance shields businesses from the unforeseen.
Errors and Omissions insurance, also known as Professional Liability Insurance, protects organizations or individuals against claims of professional negligence throughout a variety of professional services. This includes errors or omissions that the company actually made or that the client perceives were made. Errors and Omissions claims are not covered by General Liability insurance.
Insurance for Tax Preparers
Errors and Omissions insurance is particularly important for Certified Public Accountants, bookkeepers and tax preparers. Every year, in the U.S., thousands of suits are filed against tax preparers and bookkeepers, and, in the wake of nearly every corporate scandal, new lawsuits arise.
For bookkeepers, tax preparers and accountants, the tax and audit landscape is constantly changing. Clients rely on these professionals to be up-to-date and accurate, but no matter how polished a tax preparer or accountant is, and regardless of how seamless their risk management procedures are, mistakes will happen.
For instance, if a client is audited on their tax return, and there is in fact an error resulting from a simple miscalculation on the tax professional's part, the tax professional would be held responsible for any IRS-assessed penalties and interest the client was charged. Also, if the preparer overlooked or failed to include information provided by the client, they would also be at fault. Even if a client failed to provide a piece of information to the tax professional and then filed a frivolous suit, the tax preparer would still have to pay potentially exorbitant legal fees to defend themselves.
Even the most minor mistakes can cause substantial problems for clients, and without Errors and Omissions insurance for tax preparers, a firm or individual would likely not be able to survive even a single claim brought against it.
Bookkeepers Require Coverage Too!
Likewise, bookkeeper Errors and Omissions coverage would protect the bookkeeper in similar situations where figures might have been miscalculated or information was omitted, regardless of whether or not it was their fault or their client's fault.
History has shown that when a major corporate scandal is uncovered, racketeering lawsuits against accountants typically increase. According to an article published by the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, during the late 1980s, in the midst of the Securities and Loan debacle, damage claims against accountants were estimated to be between one and four billion dollars - a figure that was purported to exceed the net capital of all accounting firms combined (Lawson & Olson). While some were involved in ill doings, others were reputable professionals. While a litigation onslaught of this magnitude may never be repeated, it is a risk that E&O insurance for accountants will safeguard against.
Most E&O policies will cover judgments, settlements and defense costs, even in cases in which the allegations are found to be frivolous. Without Errors and Omissions Insurance, the cost of paying settlements and court fees would leave many bookkeepers, accountants and tax preparers in extreme debt, or even bankruptcy.
James Cochran is the founder of Business Insurance Now, a company specializing in small business liability insurance. Business Insurance Now also offers professional liability insurance for accountants or those in the consulting industry and workers comp insurance to cover your company's employees.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Cochran
E&O Insurance For Your Small Business
By David W Judge
Do you own a business which provides a service to your client for a fee? If so, you have an E&O (Errors and Omissions) exposure where your company can be sued for mistakes or omissions that result in financial losses for a client.
Also called "Professional Liability" or "Malpractice" insurance, Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance should be considered by companies and individuals who work with clients in the areas of consultation, service providers, design or sales.
What is E&O insurance? It is a separate insurance policy that provides your business insurance coverage to cover judgments, settlements and defense costs that can result from errors (or omissions) that you have made or that a client perceives you have made. Even if the allegations are found to be groundless, thousands of dollars may be needed to defend the lawsuit.
Do you need an E&O policy? The most well know professionals who need E&O insurance are doctors, lawyers, accountants, architects, and engineers, etc. However, if you provide a service to your clients for a fee you too have an E&O exposure. There are hundreds of businesses that fall under this category and range from wedding planners to advertising agencies.
Does your general liability policy cover E&O losses? General liability policies do not provide E&O coverage. A general liability policy does not provide coverage for errors, contract performance disputes or any other professional liability issue.
What should you look for in an E&O policy? E&O insurance helps protect you business in two vital areas. The first are attorney fees. Many times the cost to defend an E&O claim is more costly than the settlement itself. Even if you are sued with a frivolous law suit you still have to pay for your legal defense. Most E&O policies provide defense cost for your company up to the coverage limit on your policy.
The second vital area of coverage is to pay the amount of any settlement you would pay if found at fault. Presume that you are a wedding planner and you are to plan a wedding for June 11th but for some reason there is a mix up and you reserve the reception hall, band, caterers etc, for June 4th instead. On June 4th the band, caterers etc. all show up at the reception hall to find no one there, who pays? This is exactly what an E&O policy covers.
E&O policies vary from company to company so you need to make sure that your policy provides adequate coverage for your particular business. Cost for E&O policies also vary greatly depending on the class of business, location, claims experience etc. You should contact your local agent to discuss your business E&O exposures and determine if an E&O policy is right for you.
For more information and to receive an online instant quote for your business go to http://www.QuoteItNow.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_W_JudgeErrors & Omissions Insurance for Graphic Designers: The Increasing Importance of This Coverage
By Ryan Mitchell
Do you think your commercial general liability (CGL) insurance policy will protect you from lawsuits alleging the failure of your product to perform or your failure to provide services to specifications…if so, you better think again. A general liability policy does not protect you from these exposures and as a result, you may have a gap in your liability insurance protection. This is why Errors & Omissions insurance, also known as Professional Liability and E&O for short, should be an integral part of a Graphic Designers liability insurance program.
Graphic Designers have two areas of exposure. The first is a media exposure from the designing and branding of a companies name and logo. These services give way to potential copyright and patent infringement claims. The second is a technology exposure from the designing and implementation of a web site.
The failure of many graphic designers to obtain E&O insurance reflects both a misunderstanding of the scope of protection offered and a “won’t happen to me” attitude concerning the potential risk of being sued. This insurance not only provides coverage for any damages that may be awarded but it also covers the defense costs associated with the claim.
Errors & Omissions liability claims alleging the failure to render professional services against graphic design firms are escalating. E&O liability provides coverage for claims with or without merit.
The good news is that protection is available and the cost of this insurance is becoming more affordable. There are now packages available for companies that offer a multitude of media services. Don't let your company go without this coverage.
Ryan Mitchell is a Professional Insurance Broker in Toronto, Canada. To learn more, please visit http://www.mitchellsandham.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ryan_Mitchell
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