Engineering Firm Insurance: Get a Quick Quote

ENGINEERS & FIRMS

Insurance for engineering firms in Quebec

Mechanical, civil, structural, electrical, environmental: high-limit professional liability is mandatory at the OIQ. Complete with cyber + goods + D&O.

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Starting at $2,500

Commercial premium

$2M to $10M

E&O Limits

OIQ +

Complement

AMF

Certified brokers

All engineers in Quebec must maintain professional liability insurance through a program recognized by the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec (OIQ). Engineering firms typically add a high-limit E&O ($5 million to $10 million) depending on the contracts, as well as a commercial policy (property, cyber, business interruption) and D&O for the partners. High-risk sectors (structural, geotechnical, environmental) require specialized coverage.

IN BRIEF

Insurance for engineering firms

Engineers who are members of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec (OIQ) must maintain professional liability. Coverage of plans, calculations, site supervision, and technical opinions.

Limits: minimum OIQ $250,000, but $1-5 M recommended depending on the project (light residential vs. industrial structures). Guarantee against a complaint to the syndic included.

Essential Protections for Engineering Firms

Professional E&O

Design errors, calculations, supervision. Limits $2 million to $10 million. Required by most contracts.

Cyber risks

Plan leaks, ransomware, wire transfer fraud. Critical for confidential projects.

Property and equipment

Measuring instruments, CAD computers, total stations, drones, specialized software.

Commercial liability

Client injured at the office, damage to leased premises, non-exercise liability.

D&O associates

Personal protection of the partners in the event of a lawsuit for management decisions.

Environment (if applicable)

Gradual pollution for firms that carry out environmental studies or supervise contaminated sites.

💡 Broker’s advice

Contracts with Hydro-Québec, the MTQ or large municipalities often require an E&O of $5 million to $10 million, with the client being mentioned as an additional insured and non-subrogation clause. Anticipate these requirements at the time of subscription — a limit that is too low can exclude you from tenders. Major donors often have attestation templates that must be filled in exactly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is OIQ insurance enough for an engineering firm?

No. OIQ insurance covers the legal minimum of professional liability ($500,000 per claim). Commercial or institutional engineering contracts require $2 million to $10 million. Firms add a commercial E&O policy in addition to the OIQ.

How much does insurance cost for engineering firms?

For a firm of 5 to 20 engineers with a turnover of $1 to $5 million: between $2,500 and $12,000 per year for an E&O of $2 million + commercial police. Firms specializing in structural, geotechnical or environmental studies pay $15,000 to $50,000 for limits of $5 million to $10 million.

My firm supervises a construction site — what coverage?

Site supervision is a high-risk activity covered by E&O. Some insurers add “contractor’s control” which specifically covers errors in the inspection and supervision of the work. Clearly declare this activity.

Are drones and field equipment covered?

Yes, via equipment coverage. Commercial drones often require complementary aviation liability (required by Transport Canada for commercial operations). Declare drones to your broker — aviation liability is cheap ($300 to $800/year).

Are my engineering subcontractors covered?

Each subcontractor must have its own E&O. Your policy usually includes collateral liability (protects you if the subcontractor is underinsured), but it’s a safety net, not a substitution. Require an attestation from each subcontractor.

A plan contains an error, the building is built — responsibility?

This is the classic case. Your E&O covers the costs of demolition, re-design and reconstruction to the limits, including legal fees, expert studies and settlements. Claims of $1 million to $5 million are common for major structural errors.

I work internationally — does my policy cover me?

Depends on your policy. By default, Canadian policies cover work in Canada and the United States. For projects in Mexico, Latin America, Europe or the Middle East, an international endorsement or a specific policy is required.

Are environmental studies (Phase I, II, III) covered?

Yes, but with exclusions to watch out for. Gradual pollution (contamination that spreads over years) is generally excluded by default — specific endorsement required. Phase I/II reports based on the information available at the time of the study are covered in E&O.

The retirement of a signatory engineer — what policy?

The 3 to 10-year “tail” (run-off) insurance covers future claims for seals affixed before retirement. The OIQ offers this coverage; for commercial E&O (upper limit), talk to your broker about maintaining post-retirement protection.

Engineering firms throughout Quebec

Assur360 supports businesses throughout Quebec: Montreal, Quebec City, Laval, Gatineau, Longueuil, Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivières and Saguenay. Large multidisciplinary firms in Montreal, specialized offices in Quebec City, regional firms in Abitibi, Gaspésie, Côte-Nord: our brokers work with Canadian insurers who understand the requirements of major public contractors (MTQ, Hydro, municipalities).

100% online quote, free of charge, with comparison of several Canadian insurers.