E&O Insights: How Errors & Omissions Liability Policies Respond When Buying or Selling an Agency

It’s rare to read an industry magazine or attend an industry conference without the topic of mergers and acquisitions coming up. The issues addressed typically include the cost of acquisitions, tax implications, systems matters, when a consultant is needed and when the parties involved should be able to handle the transaction on their own.

Yet a key – if not critical – issue that doesn’t seem to get much attention is how your errors and omissions liability (E&O) policy will address potential liability issues.

Whether you are the buyer or the seller, proper planning and appropriate attention to detail are extremely important.

Consult E&O Carrier or Policy

Given the frequency of transactions like this, it is amazing that how E&O coverage addresses them is rarely reviewed or considered. There is a lack of consistency among all E&O carriers on the options available and the process that must be followed. While the necessary coverage is available, the options regarding the number of years varies significantly among carriers. This speaks to the need to plan ahead.

Do not wait until a month before the sale or purchase to educate yourself on the significant coverage issues. Any good E&O carrier can provide some guidance and direction based on your specific scenario.

For example, will the E&O carrier treat the transaction as an acquisition or is it a merger? What additional information is needed? Are there potential stumbling blocks? Contact the underwriter, broker or agents’ association that played a fundamental role in the purchase of the E&O coverage and explain the situation. Don’t hesitate to ask all the necessary questions.

Although it is rare, if you are buying an agency, it is possible that the E&O carrier may not be willing to insure the new exposure. Suppose your agency is buying a wholesaler or an agency writing a specialized exposure like pollution, directors and officers liability (D&O), E&O, environmental coverage, etc. This may present a risk that your carrier does not want. Find this out before the sale because it can impact whether you want to proceed.

The E&O carrier may require additional paperwork, copies of the proposed transaction documents, applications, etc. If the agency has had some prior E&O problems, your E&O carrier will probably want assurances regarding the level of due diligence to ensure that “the future is going to look better than the past.”

When You’re the Buyer

For the buyer, the traditional approach is to have the E&O policy endorsed to provide coverage for the new agency. The coverage, referred to by many E&O carriers as a purchased entity endorsement, will provide protection against errors made by the new agency starting with the effective date of the acquisition. Tail coverage should be secured to protect against errors made by the new agency prior to the date of the sale.

Ask whether there is a premium charge for the purchased entity coverage. The charge will likely depend on how that E&O carrier has filed to handle this transaction and what it uses as its rating basis (premium, staff, revenue, etc.). Some E&O carriers look to address this additional exposure at the next renewal. Some E&O carriers provide 90 days of automatic coverage when you buy an agency. This is a significant benefit. If you think your agency will be making some acquisitions in the next couple of years, factor it into your E&O purchase.

When You’re the Seller

If you decide to sell your agency, contact your E&O carrier and advise them of your plans. Don’t hesitate to ask questions regarding cost, options, timeframes, etc. This is an important decision and should be carefully planned.

The traditional approach involves the seller purchasing an optional extended reporting period endorsement (tail). While most E&O policies provide an automatic 60-day grant of coverage, it is minimal.

The optional “tail” can provide time after the expiration of the policy for which valid claims will continue to be accepted, provided the wrongful act occurred before the end of the policy period.

While virtually all claims-made policies contain this provision, there is a lack of consistency as to the available options. Some policies only allow an additional one-year tail. Other policies may allow options up to three years. Still others provide up to 10 years or an unlimited period.

The charge for this additional coverage comes with a hefty premium charge, so plan for this expense. For a 10-year tail, it is common that the cost may run 200 percent of the last full annual premium.

Knowing the options and when the decision needs to be made are important. If you think you may be selling your agency in the coming years, tail options should be part of the decision process.

If you are on the verge of selling your business, put your E&O carrier on notice of potential claims that may arise. Most E&O carriers will consider those claims covered regardless of when the actual claim is made. It essentially locks in the “date claim made.”

Timing and Cost

You only have one time to make the decision. This is not a cost that can be financed, so ensure you have resources available. There is typically a significant amount of claims activity that occurs during the tail period, so protect yourself accordingly.

Looking to buy or sell? Consider the E&O issues early on and include your carrier in the discussion. This is the key to ensuring you make the right decisions.

Topics Carriers Professional Liability