Anyone working in the insurance industry knows them: the seemingly endless disputes surrounding liability claims against architects and engineers. Not a short-lived trend, but a constant feature of day-to-day claims handling – and this is exactly where true expertise becomes apparent.
What makes claims handling in this area so special?
- Limitation periods are not all the same:
Five years from acceptance of the works? Sounds straightforward, but in practice it rarely is. No formal acceptance, services during Phase 9, implied acceptance – the reality is full of pitfalls. - Secondary liability of architects:
Little known, yet often decisive. Under certain conditions, it can override limitation defences – but only if very strict requirements are met. - Insurance-law pitfalls:
Strict notification deadlines, rigid policy conditions and the obligation to notify insurers without delay once defects are known.
Our success story
In a recent claim, we took over the handling and, together with the lawyer we instructed, achieved an optimal outcome for our insurer client.
The claimant attempted to rely on secondary architect liability to circumvent the defence of limitation. Through close coordination with counsel and meticulous documentation of the facts, we were able to demonstrate – in a manner robust enough to withstand judicial scrutiny – that the requirements for secondary liability were not met. The court accepted this argument and dismissed the claim.
The result: a significant reduction in claims expenditure and a strong signal demonstrating the effectiveness of our claims strategy.
Our added value for insurers
- Focus on deadlines and facts:
We assess limitation periods based on acceptance and Phase 9 status and ensure seamless documentation. - Balanced litigation strategy:
We combine substantive law and coverage arguments – from late notification provisions to compliance with policy obligations. - Collaboration at eye level:
Close management of experts and legal advisers, with clear communication to insureds and claimants.
Conclusion
Handling architects’ and engineers’ professional indemnity claims is not a “nice-to-have” – it requires excellence every day. Those who rely on experience and legal precision make the difference – and that is exactly what we deliver.
Meet our expert
Name: Sven Holzhauer
Job title: Claims Handling & Team Leader
Get in touch
To speak to the Pro Global team please feel free to reach out to us at:
Lysander PR
To contact our PR team directly please use the link below
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