ERGO NEXT ranks first for professional liability insurance in Washington, offering competitive rates, excellent customer service and digital tools that secure coverage in 10 minutes. The Hartford ranks as the cheapest professional indemnity insurer in Washington at $81 monthly, saving you $7 compared to the $88 state average. Simply Business, Nationwide, biBerk and Coverdash complete our top errors and omissions insurance recommendations for Washington business owners.
Best Professional Liability Insurance in Washington
Get WA professional liability insurance quotes starting at $31 monthly from MoneyGeek's top companies like ERGO NEXT, The Hartford and Simply Business.
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Updated: January 28, 2026
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Professional Liability Insurance in Washington: Key Takeaways
ERGO NEXT provides the best professional liability insurance in Washington, while The Hartford delivers the most affordable coverage starting at $81 monthly (Read More).
Professional liability insurance costs in Washington average $88 monthly ($1,601 annually), placing the state among the more affordable options nationwide (Read More).
Professional liability insurance protects Washington businesses from financial losses due to professional mistakes, negligence claims and failure to deliver promised services (Read More).
Washington doesn't mandate professional liability coverage for most businesses, though health care providers and other licensed professionals often face industry-specific requirements (Read More).
Washington business owners should request multiple small business insurance quotes and compare coverage limits to secure the most suitable professional liability protection (Read More).
Best Professional Liability Insurance Companies in Washington
| ERGO NEXT | 4.69 | $83 |
| The Hartford | 4.66 | $81 |
| Simply Business | 4.49 | $87 |
| Nationwide | 4.45 | $93 |
| biBERK | 4.43 | $90 |
| Coverdash | 4.43 | $89 |
| Progressive Commercial | 4.37 | $86 |
| Hiscox | 4.35 | $88 |
| Chubb | 4.27 | $101 |
| Thimble | 4.20 | $87 |
How Did We Determine the Best Professional Liability Insurance in Washington?
These rates are estimates based on MoneyGeek's proprietary analysis of small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries and should not be considered quotes. Your actual rate will differ based on business-specific factors. Contact insurers directly for accurate pricing tailored to your business needs.
LEARN MORE ABOUT BUSINESS INSURANCE IN WASHINGTON
Professional liability insurance represents just one piece of comprehensive business protection in Washington. Explore these additional state-specific guides to build complete coverage for your company:
1. ERGO NEXT: Best Professional Liability Insurance in WA
pros
Ranks first nationally for digital experience and customer service
Second lowest rates for professional liability insurance in Washington
Has an A+ AM Best rating and a 4.7/5 TrustPilot score
Coverage completed online in 10 minutes with instant certificates
cons
Claims process ranks fourth nationally among competitors
Stability score ranks sixth compared to top-rated providers
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Your Seattle consultancy bills $150 hourly and ERGO NEXT's 10-minute setup returns you to billable work when Microsoft demands vendor insurance by Friday. If it's a Friday and Amazon requires certificates by Tuesday, ERGO NEXT's mobile app generates them at a coffee shop so you keep the contract.
Your three-person firm saves 25% bundling policies. That's money that could cover business expenses instead of premiums. Washington's competitive consulting market means coverage that pays legal defense costs when clients sue over missed deadlines, not wasted billable hours buying insurance.
2. The Hartford: Cheapest Professional Liability Insurance in WA
pros
Lowest rates for professional liability insurance in Washington
Ranks first nationally for claims process and overall satisfaction
A+ Superior AM Best rating with strongest financial stability
Specialized E&O coverage for tech, legal and medical professionals
cons
Digital experience ranks tenth nationally among major competitors
Not available in Alaska or Hawaii for business insurance coverage
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Seattle tech consultancies and Bellevue software firms save $89 annually with The Hartford's $81 monthly premiums while getting specialized tech E&O coverage for data breach liability, software errors and missed project deadlines. When Spokane accountants or Tacoma legal professionals face negligence lawsuits, the insurer's first-ranked claims handling delivers fast resolutions backed by 200+ years of experience. Coverage scales from $250,000 to $2 million as your practice grows, and retroactive date protection covers work completed before your policy started.
3. Simply Business: Best Professional Liability Insurance Coverage Options in WA
pros
Ranks first nationally for coverage options with 16+ carrier choices
Access to specialized policies from CNA, Travelers, Markel and Hiscox
Digital experience ranks third nationally with 10-minute online quote process
Backed by Travelers' A++ Superior AM Best financial rating
cons
Claims process ranks eighth nationally among major competitors
Overall satisfaction and policy management both rank seventh nationally
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
When Microsoft or Amazon demand $2 million in professional liability coverage, Simply Business finds carriers who offer those limits, which direct insurer can't match. Seattle consultants generate certificates instantly from coffee shops instead of waiting days for agent callbacks to meet client deadlines. Rejected by direct insurers for being too new or niche? The platform compares 16 carriers who actually cover startup risks. If a contractor you hired makes an error that triggers a lawsuit, you're covered for the legal bills and settlements.
Average Cost of Professional Liability Insurance in Washington
Professional liability insurance costs in Washington depend heavily on your industry. Home-based businesses pay the least at around $42 per month, while mortgage brokers face the highest rates at approximately $189 per month. The filtering tool below shows specific costs for your business type.
Data filtered by:
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| Accountants | $169 | $2,025 |
| Ad Agency | $113 | $1,355 |
| Auto Repair | $94 | $1,127 |
| Automotive | $85 | $1,024 |
| Bakery | $60 | $718 |
| Barber | $49 | $585 |
| Beauty Salon | $56 | $671 |
| Bounce House | $68 | $811 |
| Candle | $48 | $573 |
| Cannabis | $142 | $1,704 |
| Catering | $91 | $1,090 |
| Cleaning | $61 | $730 |
| Coffee Shop | $71 | $847 |
| Computer Programming | $117 | $1,403 |
| Computer Repair | $70 | $843 |
| Construction | $87 | $1,048 |
| Consulting | $122 | $1,460 |
| Contractor | $72 | $861 |
| Courier | $56 | $677 |
| DJ | $51 | $607 |
| Daycare | $122 | $1,458 |
| Dental | $96 | $1,154 |
| Dog Grooming | $62 | $739 |
| Drone | $122 | $1,466 |
| Ecommerce | $69 | $834 |
| Electrical | $73 | $871 |
| Engineering | $119 | $1,429 |
| Excavation | $78 | $932 |
| Florist | $43 | $513 |
| Food | $127 | $1,521 |
| Food Truck | $67 | $807 |
| Funeral Home | $93 | $1,113 |
| Gardening | $46 | $548 |
| HVAC | $93 | $1,116 |
| Handyman | $62 | $748 |
| Home-based business | $42 | $502 |
| Hospitality | $83 | $996 |
| Janitorial | $56 | $676 |
| Jewelry | $71 | $851 |
| Junk Removal | $76 | $912 |
| Lawn/Landscaping | $60 | $719 |
| Lawyers | $163 | $1,960 |
| Manufacturing | $69 | $831 |
| Marine | $100 | $1,204 |
| Massage | $121 | $1,452 |
| Mortgage Broker | $189 | $2,269 |
| Moving | $96 | $1,147 |
| Nonprofit | $56 | $677 |
| Painting | $74 | $886 |
| Party Rental | $63 | $756 |
| Personal Training | $80 | $960 |
| Pest Control | $111 | $1,336 |
| Pet | $53 | $634 |
| Pharmacy | $65 | $784 |
| Photography | $71 | $852 |
| Physical Therapy | $106 | $1,273 |
| Plumbing | $101 | $1,212 |
| Pressure Washing | $66 | $792 |
| Real Estate | $143 | $1,716 |
| Restaurant | $92 | $1,109 |
| Retail | $62 | $748 |
| Roofing | $112 | $1,350 |
| Security | $114 | $1,370 |
| Snack Bars | $55 | $655 |
| Software | $110 | $1,320 |
| Spa/Wellness | $127 | $1,522 |
| Speech Therapist | $115 | $1,375 |
| Startup | $83 | $991 |
| Tech/IT | $110 | $1,317 |
| Transportation | $107 | $1,281 |
| Travel | $110 | $1,317 |
| Tree Service | $86 | $1,029 |
| Trucking | $126 | $1,507 |
| Tutoring | $68 | $813 |
| Veterinary | $130 | $1,560 |
| Wedding Planning | $87 | $1,048 |
| Welding | $86 | $1,033 |
| Wholesale | $71 | $846 |
| Window Cleaning | $71 | $849 |
How Did We Determine These Washington Professional Liability Insurance Rates?
These rates are estimates based on MoneyGeek's proprietary analysis of small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries and should not be considered quotes. Your actual rate will differ based on business-specific factors. Contact insurers directly for accurate pricing tailored to your business needs.
What Does Washington Professional Liability Insurance Cover?
Washington professional liability insurance protects your business when clients claim you made errors or failed to deliver promised services. This coverage handles both the damages you might owe and the legal costs to defend your business.
You might see this same protection called by different names:
- Errors and omissions insurance (E&O)
- Malpractice insurance (specialized type, typically in legal and medical fields)
- Professional indemnity insurance
How Much Professional Liability Insurance Do I Need in Washington?
Washington doesn't mandate professional liability insurance for most businesses. Contract work usually requires $1 million per occurrence and $2 million to $3 million aggregate annually. Health care providers participating in workers' compensation networks must carry $1 million per occurrence and $3 million aggregate. Lawyers aren't required to have coverage but must disclose to clients if they lack $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate.
Who Needs Professional Liability Insurance in Washington?
If you handle contracts or provide professional services where negligence claims could arise, professional liability insurance protects your Washington business from lawsuits. Below are industries with exposure to professional liability risks in the state.
Tech professionals
Washington's tech sector (home to Microsoft, Amazon and thousands of startups) creates errors and omissions exposure for software developers, IT consultants and technology service providers. Tech E&O insurance covers you when missed deadlines, data breaches or software errors trigger client lawsuits, critical when serving enterprise clients who demand vendor insurance requirements.
Construction contractors
Washington contractors must carry general liability insurance to register with the Department of Labor & Industries, but professional liability coverage protects you from claims related to design errors, faulty workmanship or failure to meet contract specifications. When subcontractors or employees make mistakes on aerospace facilities, commercial projects or residential builds that breach contracts, you're financially covered for legal defense costs and settlements beyond what general liability provides.
Health care professionals
Healthcare providers participating in Washington's workers' compensation provider networks must maintain $1 million per occurrence and $3 million aggregate professional liability coverage. Even providers not in these networks need coverage, as medical negligence claims from misdiagnosis, treatment errors or medication mistakes can result in substantial damages that threaten your practice and personal assets.
Legal professionals
Washington lawyers must disclose to clients if they lack $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate professional liability coverage, a requirement that became effective September 2021. While the state doesn't mandate coverage, malpractice insurance protects you from claims involving missed statute of limitations deadlines, inadequate legal research or conflicts of interest that result in financial harm to clients.
Consulting and financial professionals
Washington's professional services sector supports aerospace manufacturers, tech companies, agriculture operations and maritime businesses from Seattle to Spokane, creating exposure to negligence claims when your advice doesn't deliver expected results. Professional liability insurance covers you when clients claim your recommendations caused financial losses, whether through investment advice, business strategy consulting or accounting services.
How to Get the Best Professional Liability Insurance in Washington
Getting business insurance protects your Washington business when clients sue over work mistakes or missed obligations. Our step-by-step guide walks you through finding coverage that matches your risks and budget.
- 1Assess coverage needs
Evaluate client contract requirements and the specific lawsuit risks in your industry. Seattle cannabis consultants face regulatory compliance exposures that Tri-Cities agricultural advisors don't encounter, while Redmond app developers working with venture-backed startups need coverage for data breach liability that Olympia graphic designers usually skip.
- 2Work with local agent
Find agents who understand how business insurance costs fluctuate based on Washington's high-stakes business environment and geographic challenges. Agents familiar with Boeing supplier requirements in Everett can explain coverage needs differently than those serving Walla Walla wine industry consultants or Bellingham maritime engineering firms.
- 3Compare multiple quotes
Request quotes from three insurers and compare retroactive dates, exclusions and claims-made triggers beyond just finding affordable business insurance premiums. A Tacoma architect evaluating $2 million policies should verify whether claims from past projects during Seattle's construction boom remain covered if you switch carriers mid-year.
- 4Research best providers
Check whether insurers actually pay claims and understand Washington's business landscape beyond their AM Best ratings. Read reviews from professionals who've filed claims during economic downturns, and confirm the insurer covers work performed for international clients if your Spokane manufacturing consultancy serves Canadian or Asian markets affected by trade disputes.
- 5Consider bundling discounts
Combine professional liability with cyber insurance or general liability since bundling saves 15% to 20% on total premiums for Washington businesses. A Vancouver bookkeeping firm handling sensitive client data can bundle professional liability with cyber coverage for $180 monthly instead of paying $110 and $120 separately, while accessing combined types of business insurance that protect against both errors and data breaches.
- 6Maintain continuous coverage
Claims-made policies only cover lawsuits filed while your policy is active, creating gaps when you switch insurers or close your business. A Bellevue consultant retiring after 20 years should purchase tail coverage (extended reporting coverage) because clients can sue years later over past advice, and your final project for a tech company in 2025 could trigger litigation in 2028.
Get Washington Professional Liability Insurance Quotes
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Washington Professional Liability: Bottom Line
Finding professional liability insurance in Washington comes down to understanding your risks and choosing the right provider. ERGO NEXT earns our top rating, but your industry, client contracts and budget determine the best coverage for your business. Start by evaluating your exposure, then let a local agent help you compare carriers and secure protection that covers your Washington business when clients sue over professional mistakes.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.