| Policy detail | What questions should I ask? | Why does it matter? |
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Prior acts or retroactive date
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Does the policy address eligible work performed before the new policy begins, and what retroactive date applies?
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A gap in coverage or a changed retroactive date may affect whether claims involving earlier work are eligible for coverage.
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Defense-cost treatment
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Do claim expenses reduce the liability limit, or does the policy provide a separate allowance for eligible defense costs?
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Defense expenses that reduce the liability limit will leave less available for a covered settlement or judgment.
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Limits and deductibles
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What limits apply to each claim and all claims combined, and how does the deductible apply?
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Your policy limits affect how much may be available for a single claim and for all claims during the policy period. Your deductible determines part of what your firm may need to pay.
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Definition of professional services
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Does the policy’s definition of professional services address the legal and related work your firm performs?
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Work outside the policy definition may not qualify for coverage. Related activities such as mediation, title work, or expert-witness services may require closer review.
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Claims handling and settlement provisions
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How must a claim or circumstance be reported, who manages the claim, and what consent-to-settle provisions apply?
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Reporting requirements and settlement provisions can affect the firm’s responsibilities, participation, and options during a claim.
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Extended reporting period options
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What extended reporting options may be available after retirement, firm closure, dissolution, or a carrier change?
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In accordance with policy terms, an extended reporting period will give your firm additional time to report claims involving earlier work after your policy ends.
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Exclusions and endorsements
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What does the policy exclude, and do any endorsements add, limit, or change coverage?
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Exclusions and endorsements can materially change how the policy applies to the firm’s work, risks, and jurisdiction.
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For solo attorneys and small law firms
Lawyers' professional liability insurance for solo attorneys and small law firms
You know the law. You shouldn’t have to be an insurance expert too. We help you compare the policy terms that matter to your firm and make sense of your options, so you can apply for coverage with confidence.
Already insured with a carrier? Compare ALPS before your next renewal.
MOVE FORWARD with clarity
Choose lawyers' malpractice insurance with fewer unknowns
Understand what lawyers’ professional liability insurance may cover
Compare policy terms that affect your protection, not just premium
Know what information you’ll need to request a quote
Get answers to common questions before you apply
CLARITY WHEN IT MATTERS
Why law firms choose ALPS for lawyers’ professional liability insurance
Insurance can be complicated, especially when policy differences are difficult to evaluate. Price matters, but it does not tell you everything about a carrier’s experience, claims guidance, industry relationships, or support beyond the policy. ALPS brings those elements together to help law firms understand their options and choose coverage with confidence.
Get Insurance Guidance Built for Law Firms
Work with a team that understands your practice, small-firm demands, and malpractice risks.
Get Experienced Guidance When a Claim Arises
Work with a claims team of licensed attorneys who know the practice of law firsthand.
Choose a Carrier Trusted by State Bars
ALPS is endorsed by more state bars than any other legal malpractice insurance carrier. View ALPS State Bar Endorsements
Strengthen Your Practice Beyond the Policy
Access CLE, guides, forms, checklists, and practical tools designed for law firms.
Have Questions About Your Firm’s Coverage Options?
Talk with an ALPS insurance specialist about your practice, priorities, and available next steps.
WHAT LAWYERS SAY ABOUT ALPS
What Is It Like to Work With ALPS for Malpractice Insurance?
See what attorneys and law firms say about applying, renewing, getting questions answered, and working with ALPS.
Understand WHAT LEGAL Malpractice insurance can protect
What is legal malpractice insurance?
Legal malpractice insurance, also called lawyers’ professional liability insurance or attorney malpractice insurance, can help protect your firm against covered claims alleging errors, omissions, or professional negligence in the legal services you provide.
Actual coverage depends on the policy’s definitions, terms, exclusions, deductible, limits, and the facts of the claim. Even an allegation without merit can require time, legal expertise, and significant defense expense.
Defense of Covered Legal Malpractice Claims
A policy will help pay eligible attorney fees, court costs, and related expenses to defend your firm against a covered claim.
Payment of Covered Damages or Settlements
Your policy will help pay eligible settlement or judgment amounts for a covered claim, subject to the policy’s limits, terms, and exclusions.
Coverage for Professional Errors and Omissions
Protection for your firm, its attorneys, and eligible staff for alleged missteps in the delivery of professional legal services, subject to policy terms.
These examples provide general information and do not determine coverage for any specific claim. The issued policy controls coverage.
Policy mechanics, plainly explained
How does claims-made and reported lawyers' professional liability insurance work?
Many lawyers' professional liability policies are written on a claims-made and reported basis. When the alleged act occurred, when the claim was made, and when the claim was reported can all affect whether coverage may apply.
What is a Policy Period?
The policy period is the time during which your policy is in effect. A claim generally must satisfy the policy’s timing and reporting requirements for coverage to apply.
How Does a Retroactive Date Affect Prior-Acts Coverage?
The retroactive date can limit coverage for work performed before that date. Before changing policies or carriers, confirm whether eligible earlier work will remain protected.
What is an Extended Reporting Period?
An extended reporting period may allow certain claims involving earlier work to be reported after the policy period. It does not provide coverage for new work performed after the policy expires.
When Should a Potential Claim Be Reported?
Report a claim or circumstance according to the timing and notice requirements in your policy. Waiting to report a known concern can affect whether coverage applies.
Need Help With Another Insurance Term?
Use the ALPS Insurance Glossary for plain-language explanations of common lawyers’ professional liability insurance terms.
Premium is only one part of the decision
What should law firms compare when choosing lawyers' malpractice insurance?
Premium matters, but it does not show how a policy may respond when your firm faces a claim. Compare coverage for earlier work, defense-cost treatment, limits, deductibles, professional services, exclusions, claims handling, settlement provisions, and reporting options before you choose.
Practical rule: Review the declarations, coverage form, endorsements, and exclusions together. A summary or premium alone cannot show exactly how a policy may respond to a claim.
Ready to Review Your Options?
Apply online or talk with an ALPS insurance specialist about the policy terms that matter to your firm.
Firm and Practice Factors:
Attorney count, practice areas, experience, client profile, revenue, location, and the work performed may affect underwriting and premium.
Coverage choices:
Requested limits, deductible, retroactive date, and applicable policy provisions may affect available options and premium.
Claims History and Risk Controls:
Prior claims, potential claims, coverage history, engagement practices, docket controls, and other risk-management procedures may be considered.
Do you ever wonder what goes into the cost of your insurance? Check out our free guide to The Top 5 Things That Impact the Cost of Your Insurance.
Estimate your attorney malpractice insurance price range:
Answer a few questions about your practice to receive a free preliminary estimate.
ALPS POLICY OPTIONS
Which ALPS lawyers’ professional liability policy fits your firm?
ALPS offers lawyers’ professional liability policy options for eligible firms at different stages and with different coverage needs. Compare the highlighted features below, then apply to review the options available for your firm.
Basic
A starting option for eligible new firms or first-time buyers
Designed for newly established firms or those purchasing malpractice insurance for the first time.
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Coverage for the most common professional services (including mediators, court-appointed family investigators and notary public)
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Lower-limit options for eligible firms
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A straightforward starting point
Preferred
A versatile option for eligible solo attorneys and smaller firms
Ideal if the firm wants broader policy features while maintaining an option designed for eligible solo attorneys and smaller firms.
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Consent-to-settle provisions where available
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Claims-expense allowance outside the liability limit
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Supplementary payments and deductible cap
Premier
Enhanced features for eligible firms with more complex coverage needs
A potential fit for eligible firms with four or more attorneys seeking limits of $2 million or higher.
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Broader supplementary-payment features
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Potential deductible reductions
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Additional assistance for certain covered events
Want to compare the policy details?
Review the feature comparison or talk with an ALPS Insurance specialist about the options available for your firm.
Policy options, limits, terms, and availability are subject to underwriting review. The issued policy controls coverage.
A clear path to protecting your practice
How does the ALPS attorney malpractice insurance application process work?
Apply with clarity, review your options, and take the next step toward protecting your firm.
1
Complete Your Legal Malpractice Insurance Application
Tell ALPS about your firm, attorneys, areas of practice, insurance history, and requested coverage.
2
Review Your Offered Coverage Options
Compare the limits, deductibles, policy terms, features, and pricing available for your firm.
3
Choose Coverage and Get Back to Your Practice
Ask questions, select an offered option, and complete the steps required to put coverage in place.
COVERAGE WHERE YOU PRACTICE
Find lawyers’ malpractice insurance information for your state
Select the state of your firm’s primary office to view relevant information and the appropriate next step.
Where is your firm’s primary office located?
Get More Clarity Before Choosing Malpractice Coverage
Explore insurance and risk-management resources for law firms
Estimate a preliminary price range, understand common insurance terms, and explore practical resources that can help your law firm manage risk.
Ready to Review Your Options?
Apply online or talk with an ALPS insurance specialist about the policy terms that matter to your firm.
Frequently asked questions
Lawyers' professional liability insurance FAQs
Get clear answers to common questions before you compare policy terms or start an application. Actual coverage depends on your policy, the applicable jurisdiction, and the facts of each claim.
Requirements depend on where you practice and your firm’s circumstances. State bar rules, disclosure obligations, client contracts, and other requirements may apply. Check the rules that apply to your firm and seek appropriate professional guidance.
No single coverage limit fits every firm. Consider the size and complexity of your matters, the potential cost of a claim, your clients’ requirements, your firm’s assets, and your contractual obligations. Also review how the policy treats defense costs, the deductible your firm can manage, and the limits available to you.
Your premium may depend on your firm’s size, attorney experience, practice areas, location, and claims history. Coverage limits, your deductible, firm procedures, and exposure from earlier work can also affect the cost. A complete application is generally needed to provide a meaningful premium estimate.
Timing depends on whether your application is complete, underwriting review, your requested coverage start date, any additional information needed, and your acceptance of the offered terms. Don’t assume your coverage is in effect until you receive formal confirmation.
Yes. In fact, many new solo attorneys can apply, see a quote, accept & pay for their policy in 10 minutes or less. Eligibility and application requirements vary. If you’re starting a solo practice, be ready to share your planned practice areas, legal experience, and firm procedures, along with whether you need coverage for earlier work.
Not necessarily. Professional liability and cyber coverage address different and sometimes overlapping risks. Evaluate dedicated cyber coverage and review the terms of both policies. ALPS offers lawyers and law firms two ways to purchase cyber coverage:
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Low-cost, no-fuss coverage added to your malpractice policy: Offered exclusively as an addition to ALPS lawyers' malpractice insurance (LPL), it's easy to add this separate policy for as low as $75 per attorney.
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Higher limits with a stand-alone policy: Our stand-alone cyber insurance program is designed for law firms.
Before your current coverage ends or changes, review continuity of coverage, your prior-acts date, any known circumstances that could lead to a claim, reporting deadlines, and extended reporting options. These details can affect your coverage.
Usually not. A legal malpractice policy is designed to protect you from claims arising out of legal services, and most carriers exclude claims connected to any business you own or control. As a result, your title company’s searches, escrow work, and policy‑related tasks typically fall outside the scope of malpractice coverage.
A few carriers, including ALPS, will consider extending coverage to a lawyer‑owned title company, but only when strict, narrowly tailored criteria are met. This is not the industry norm because title agency work carries a different risk profile than the practice of law. If you’d like additional information about possibly extending coverage to your title company, reach out to your firm’s insurance representative or your ALPS account manager.
Just keep in mind that even when this is possible, the protection it provides is not as broad as what you can obtain under a dedicated Title Agency Errors & Omissions policy.