Michigan Attorney Malpractice Insurance

We offer attorney malpractice insurance, also known as lawyers professional liability insurance, to Michigan law firms and attorneys, including solo attorneys and employed lawyers, practicing in all industries. We have access to dozens of insurance companies and can offer coverage to any type of law firmin Michigan, from the small, low risk law firms to the large, high risk law firms. If you're having trouble finding affordable coverage because of your specialty or because you had a malpractice claim filed against you in the past, we can help.

What coverage does an attorney malpractice insurance policy provide in Michigan?

Attorney malpractice insurance is designed to pay for damages and defense in connection with claims arising from alleged or actual wrongful acts, errors or omissions committed by the insured. In addition to the standard services provided by Michigan attorneys, some malpractice insurance policies also provide coverage to attorneys when providing services as a lobbyist, arbitrator, mediator, notary public, trustee, receiver, executor, lobbyist, financial planner. Attorneys should carefully review their policy to understand the exact coverage that is being provided.

Attorney malpractice insurance policies are provided on a claims made basis in Michigan. This means that the policy in force is triggered by the reporting of a claim, not the policy which was in force when the act, error, or omission was committed. Claims resulting from an act, error, or omission which took place before the retroactive date are not covered. The retroactive date therefore determines the beginning of coverage. Also, attorney malpractice insurance policies in Michigan typically provide coverage for paralegals, legal assistants, law clerks and other legal staff employed by the insured.

Why should Michigan attorneys and law firms carry attorney malpractice insurance?

Michigan attorneys, like other professionals, face the risk of having a malpractice lawsuit filed against them. Some attorneys specialize in legal malpractice and file lawsuits against other attorneys on behalf of clients who believe their attorneys were negligent. Some legal malpractice verdicts have been for tens of millions of dollars, which is sufficient to bankrupt most law firms.

According to the American Bar Association, the most common types of malpractice claims include the failure to know or apply the law, planning errors, inadequate discovery or investigation, failure to file documents, failure to schedule, and failure to know deadlines.

Due to the complexity of most lawsuits, the challenging legal environment, the large number of parties involved, and the various deadlines which must be followed, it is easy for Michigan attorneys to make an error or omission, even if trivial, which may later be used as a basis for a legal malpractice claim. It is therefore important for Michigan law professionals to carry attorney malpractice insurance with adequate limits and coverage.

What legal specialties are the most expensive to insure in Michigan?

Some of the most expensive and difficult legal specialties to insure in Michigan include mergers and acquisitions, entertainment, sports, real estate, investments, securities, intellectual property, money management, and plaintiff class action. Premiums vary by state and by location within each state, with the large cities being typically more expensive than rural areas.

Other factors which may have an impact on attorney malpractice insurance premiums in Michigan include the claims experience, the financial condition of the firm, the number of fee disputes, the employee turnover, the employee training practices, the age of the firm, the client mix, the risk management practices, and the use of engagement letters/retainers.

To request quotes, please complete an application and send it to us. Do not hesitate to call us if you have any questions.