How Much Does Architect Insurance Cost? 2025 Rates

U.S. architects can expect to pay $360 annually for comprehensive business insurance, averaging $30 per month. The primary cost drivers are location, business size, project type & sizes, years in business, number of employees, and the type of services provided.

How Much Does Architect Insurance Cost?

The average architect in the U.S. pays $360 per year for business insurance. That breaks down to roughly $30 per month. However, this is just a ballpark range and actual business insurance costs can vary widely depending on your specific situation.

Every architecture business is different, so insurance costs can vary a lot. There’s no one-size-fits-all price.

A small architecture studio working on simple home designs will pay much less than a large firm handling commercial or high-rise buildings.

The types of projects you take on, the number of people on your team, your office setup, and where your business is located can all affect how much you pay for insurance.

For example, firms based in cities where lawsuits are more common may pay more for liability insurance. Similarly, if your work involves complex designs or structural elements, your insurance could cost more than a firm focused only on interior layouts or planning.

Understanding these variables can help you better estimate your insurance needs and prepare for the real costs of protecting your architecture business.

Average Architecture Insurance Costs For Coverage Types

When it comes to protecting your architecture business, different types of insurance cover different risks. Understanding the average cost, coverage details, and what influences pricing for each policy type can help you build a more effective insurance plan. Here’s a closer look at the major coverages most architects need.

• General liability insurance: $30 per month
• Business owner’s policy: $53 per month
• Professional liability (E&O) insurance: $135 per month
• Workers’ compensation insurance: $44 per month
• Commercial auto insurance: $179 per month

Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance

Architects typically pay around $135 per month for professional liability insurance.

Professional liability, often referred to as E&O, protects architects if a client claims that your drawings, planning, or design work caused financial harm. Even highly skilled firms can face accusations of errors, omissions, delays, or design flaws.

For example, if a client says your layout created structural challenges that led to construction cost increases, this coverage helps pay for legal defense and possible settlements.

Costs vary based on the types of projects you work on, the size of your firm, whether you have had claims before, and the coverage limits you select.

Note: Estimates reflect typical annual professional liability (E&O) premiums for architecture practices; actual premiums will vary with firm size, project types, revenue, claims history, and coverage limits.

General Liability Insurance

General liability insurance for architects averages about $30 per month.

This policy covers claims involving third-party injuries, property damage, or advertising-related issues. If you are visiting a job site and accidentally damage flooring, furnishings, or installed materials, general liability would help cover repairs and legal costs if a client seeks reimbursement.

Most architects carry policy limits of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate.

Pricing is influenced by revenue, services offered, deductible choice, and whether additional insured endorsements are required for contracts or project partners.

Note: Estimates reflect typical annual general liability premiums for architecture practices based on market-average agency pricing; actual premiums will vary with firm size, project scope, claims history, location, and coverage limits.

Business Owner’s Policy (BOP)

Architects generally pay about $53 per month for a Business Owner’s Policy.

A BOP combines general liability with commercial property insurance and protects against client injuries, office damage, stolen equipment, or loss due to incidents like fires. If your drafting computers or plotting equipment are damaged in an office incident, a BOP helps pay for replacements.

Pricing depends on office size, equipment value, location, annual revenue, and whether additional coverages like business interruption are added.

Note: Estimates are based on market-average annual BOP premiums for architecture firms; actual premiums will vary with firm size, project scope, revenue, location, and coverage limits.

Commercial Auto Insurance

Commercial auto insurance for architects averages about $179 per month.

This policy covers company vehicles used for client meetings, job site visits, and inspections. If a staff member is driving a firm-owned vehicle and is involved in a collision, commercial auto helps cover repairs and third-party damages.

Costs depend on fleet size, usage frequency, vehicle value, and employee driving history.

Note: Estimates reflect typical annual commercial auto premiums for architecture firms based on market-average agency pricing; actual premiums will vary with fleet size, vehicle use, driving records, coverage limits, and underwriting factors.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Workers’ compensation insurance for architects costs around $44 per month.

This coverage pays for medical treatment, lost wages, and rehabilitation if an employee is injured on the job. For example, if a staff member slips while walking a construction site and suffers an injury, workers’ comp would help cover treatment and income replacement.

Premiums depend on payroll size, job duties, claims history, and safety procedures.

Note: Estimates reflect typical annual workers’ compensation premiums for architecture practices based on market-average agency pricing; actual premiums will vary with payroll size, employee classifications, claims history, and state-specific rules.

Architecture Business Insurance Costs By Provider

Architecture business insurance costs will vary greatly depending on the insurance carrier. Use the table below to find average costs across different providers.

Note: Estimates are based on typical annual premiums for architecture firms and common coverage mixes; actual premiums will vary by location, services, revenue, claims history, and selected limits

What Factors Impact Your Architect Insurance Costs?

Architect insurance premiums are carefully calculated by underwriters based on your business’s risk profile. Factors like the types of projects you handle, your business location, past claims, and even your area of specialization all play a role in determining how much you’ll pay for coverage.

Type Of Architectural Services You Offer

The kind of architectural work your firm provides plays a major role in determining insurance costs. Services that involve structural design, large-scale commercial buildings, or complex infrastructure projects are seen as higher risk, which increases your premiums.

On the other hand, firms that focus on residential design, interior layouts, or consulting typically face lower risks and therefore pay less for coverage.

Business Size And Revenue

The size of your architecture business and how much revenue it generates can directly affect your insurance rates. Larger firms with more staff, multiple locations, or bigger projects carry more risk, which leads to higher premiums. Smaller firms or practitioners working solely with fewer projects and lower revenue usually pay less for the same type of coverage.

Architecture Project Types And Complexity

The types of projects you take on, such as commercial buildings, residential homes, public infrastructure, or specialized structures, can affect your insurance premiums. More complex or high-value projects bring a greater chance of errors or liability, which makes insurance more expensive. Simpler or lower-risk projects usually cost less to insure.

Location Of Your Architecture Business

Where your architecture firm operates can also influence insurance costs. Firms located in urban areas with high crime rates or regions with a history of lawsuits typically pay more. Additionally, businesses in areas prone to natural disasters like earthquakes or floods may face higher property and liability insurance premiums.

Number Of Employees

The more employees you have, the more coverage you’ll need, especially for workers’ compensation and liability insurance. Each additional staff member represents a potential risk, whether it’s due to a workplace injury or a professional mistake. Therefore, firms with larger teams usually pay higher premiums.