Miscellaneous Professional Liability Insurance

Miscellaneous professional liability (MPL) insurance is a type of professional liability (PL) or errors and omissions (E&O) insurance customized for your unique risks. MPL is designed for businesses outside professions like law or medicine, but the terms MPL, PL, and E&O are often used interchangeably since they all help protect against claims of errors, misrepresentation, or negligence.

You can get misc professional liability with Progressive Commercial as a standalone coverage or as part of a business owners policy (BOP). Contact one of our insurance experts or start an online quote to learn more and get the protection you need.

What is miscellaneous professional liability insurance?

MPL insurance covers legal expenses, settlements, and judgments if a client claims you caused a financial loss — even if you didn't make a mistake. It's a good match for companies that offer specialized services or advice that standard professional liability policies might not cover.

What sets miscellaneous professional liability apart is the industries it serves. E&O insurance usually applies to legal, financial, IT, and engineering sectors, while MPL insurance is for a broader spectrum of professions.

Why is it called miscellaneous insurance?

This insurance is called miscellaneous professional liability because it's designed for a wide range of service-based businesses that don't fit into traditional categories like legal, medical, or financial professions.

These businesses still face professional liability risks, but they might not have clearly defined standards of care. Miscellaneous commercial insurance helps fill these gaps by offering protection that's tailored to these more flexible industries.

What professions need miscellaneous professional liability insurance?

Businesses that offer their expertise or services to others could benefit from miscellaneous professional liability coverage. Whether you're a marketing consultant creating an ad campaign, an event planner coordinating a large gala, or a travel agent organizing the ultimate honeymoon vacation, your goal is to deliver great service with exceptional results.

But sometimes things don't go perfectly. In these situations, MPL can help you recover. Professions that might need it include:

• Hair stylists and barbers
• Personal trainers
• Life coaches
• Massage therapists
• Business consultants
• Event planners

If your work involves helping others, MPL can give you peace of mind. The right coverage lets you focus on your customers instead of the what ifs.

What does miscellaneous professional liability insurance cover?

If a client believes you made a mistake when providing a service or advice, MPL can cover claims related to:

• Negligence in your professional services
• Misrepresentation or misinformation
• Failure to meet deadlines and contractual obligations
• Defamation, especially in marketing, media, and public relations fields
• Breach of confidentiality, where sensitive client materials are mishandled or accidentally released

Even if a claim is false, this insurance can help protect your reputation and cover legal expenses and other costs.

How much does miscellaneous professional liability cost?

What you pay for miscellaneous liability depends on several factors, including your:

• Industry and profession
• Location
• Policy limits
• Number of employees
• Years in business
• Claims history

Learn more about how the cost of business insurance is calculated.

Add MPL insurance to your BOP

Progressive Commercial offers MPL insurance as an endorsement to a business owners policy, which combines commercial property and liability coverage into one package.

A BOP provides versatile protection for small to medium-sized companies. It covers third-party property damage and bodily injury, as well as advertising injury, like libel or slander. A BOP also safeguards your assets, including buildings and equipment. However, it doesn't cover professional mistakes without a miscellaneous professional liability endorsement.

Contact a Progressive Commercial agent today to find out how to add MPL liability to a new or existing business owners policy. It's a smart way to protect your business and give your clients confidence in your services. You can also start a quote online to look through options at your own pace.