Placing Professional Indemnity cover for design and engineering practitioners has become increasingly challenging. Many firms operate in a space that sits between construction and single occupation professional services, leaving them outside standard appetites. This can create uncertainty for brokers when seeking solutions that accurately reflect how these businesses operate and the risks they carry.

That’s why Vero has launched a new Design and Engineering Practitioners Professional Indemnity Insurance solution. Developed to reflect Vero’s focus on backing Australian businesses, this purpose‑built Specialty Lines product is designed to better support brokers placing Professional Indemnity for white‑collar, design‑led practitioners.

Central to that commitment is having the right expertise guiding the product.

With more than 15 years’ experience in underwriting, including a decade focused on professional indemnity for design and engineering risks, Vanessa MacDonald has been brought on to lead the offering with customers firmly front of mind. Her focus is on making it easier for brokers and their clients to navigate complex risks, drawing on experience gained across small agencies and large international insurers, and a genuine commitment to working side‑by‑side with brokers to achieve the right outcome.

As Vanessa explains, the value for brokers starts with specialisation:

“This new offering provides dedicated and focused underwriters specialising in the design and engineering space, so you are dealing with people who understand your insured’s risk and what they need. We’ve written a new purpose‑built policy wording and endorsement suite that addresses the unique exposures of design and engineering practitioners.”

Addressing the needs of modern design and engineering practices

This new cover is for engineering consulting, architectural and surveying professionals whose work is design led and office‑based. It is intended for practitioners delivering professional services, rather than construction, trade or manual activities.

By clearly defining the target risk profile and eligibility criteria, this new offering gives brokers a more straightforward and confident pathway to place risks that may otherwise fall outside standard Professional Indemnity products.

A broader appetite supported by specialist underwriting

A key feature of Vero’s new Design and Engineering Practitioners Professional Indemnity Insurance is its expanded risk appetite for white‑collar design and engineering roles. The product has been developed with a dedicated policy wording that reflects common professional exposures faced by these practitioners, including civil liability (subject to the full policy wording) arising from:

• errors in design
• incorrect advice or specification, and
• implied warranties and conditions

Where risks can’t be automatically accepted, brokers have access to Vero’s specialist Design and Engineering Practitioners underwriting team. Clear referral pathways help support consistent and confident decision‑making, backing brokers as they support clients’ businesses.

This specialist backing is a key differentiator in the market. According to Vanessa, “The Vero Specialty Lines team are dedicated to supporting our insureds, offering a range of value‑added benefits including a dedicated claims contact at binding, so the insured knows who to contact when they need it most.”

A simpler way to quote, bind and manage risks

Brokers can quote, bind and manage eligible risks through a purpose‑built online platform that supports the full policy lifecycle. This includes new business, endorsements, renewals and document generation, helping to reduce friction and streamline everyday placement.

Beyond placement efficiency, insureds also benefit from additional support options designed to strengthen risk management outcomes:

“We also provide access to contract reviews through our legal panel and premium benefits for insureds with exemplary risk management controls – and that’s just the beginning,” says Vanessa. “As the book grows, we’re always looking for more ways to improve our insureds’ experience.”

Backed by Vero’s award‑winning claims service

As with all Vero Specialty Lines products, Design and Engineering Practitioners Professional Indemnity Insurance is supported by Vero’s award‑winning claims service. Brokers and their clients can be confident that they’re supported by experienced claims professionals with a deep understanding of complex professional risks, when it matters most.

Get started with Vero’s Design and Engineering Practitioners Professional Indemnity Insurance

This new product reflects Vero’s ongoing investment in solutions that make it easier for brokers to place complex professional risks. By combining a clearly defined appetite, specialist underwriting support and a streamlined digital experience, Vero is proud to be in the business of backing business - and working in partnership with brokers to help their clients thrive..

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