Professional Liability Insurance for Architects

Does a self-employed architect in Switzerland have to have professional liability insurance coverage? Who can tell me something concrete and binding on this topic?

The question is not without significance! Basically, no one is protected from mistakes, not even when processing already provided data and values! Therefore, anyone can always make a mistake, and thus such coverage is also sensible! The contributions range between 1,000 EUR and ...... upwards depending on turnover and company size. It also becomes problematic if you are a career changer and have not studied or cannot prove a professional qualification. Currently, only 7 companies on the market still underwrite the risk anyway. It becomes even more problematic if you do not bill according to HOAI on a flat-rate basis. Many maintain useless contracts here, which precisely demand billing according to HOAI, and these people often do not know this, only in the event of performance :-(
Therefore... therefore, check who you bind yourself to or get a specialized broker like us for this purpose, who is liable to cover and secure correctly!

You should also know that when processing predefined data and numbers provided by an architect, there is always joint liability, even if the mistake is not yours. Didn’t know? No problem, we have explained it to you.

You should also know that you are personally liable for financial losses. This also means that even if you try to protect yourself through a legal entity and build a "shield" around yourself, financial losses can always extend to the private sphere and thus attack your private assets. Didn’t know? No problem, we have explained it to you.

As you can see, this insurance is only a compulsory insurance for architects. So why not for the building technician? Well, he does not plan directly ;-). He is only directly liable for the architect’s mistakes. But it also doesn’t help if the court declares partial fault/contributory negligence. Haven’t thought about that yet? No problem, we have informed you about it here.

You should also think about why this insurance is increasingly demanded from you as proof so that you receive a contract... because you do not need it by law? This explanation sounds strange and somehow illogical.

How is it again with private liability insurance.... also one that is not legally required! But why does the word "compulsory" appear everywhere in it? Advertising by the insurers?

Best regards T. Klenk

Hello Mr. Klenk, the initial question concerned architects in Switzerland, you are responding regarding professional liability in Germany. Nevertheless, I would like to clarify two or three of your statements: "Architect" is a protected professional title; one has previously studied and been professionally reviewed by the responsible Chamber of Architects. There are no "career changers" nowadays (well, not anymore, there used to be). Construction technicians do not have the building submission authorization, so they do not plan responsibly, are not architects, and therefore do not need architect liability insurance. The architect who "lends" a construction technician his stamp (the building submission authorization) makes himself liable. The HOAI is a law; architects must bill according to the HOAI.

This topic was a debate among colleagues. Some said that an architect in Switzerland does not need it, but others said that it is a compulsory insurance. I think it is not a compulsory insurance, but every architect in Switzerland should take out a [Berufshaftplichtversicherrung]. This way they are on the safe side.

I agree, because human error can be costly. Especially in the case of a [Schadenersatzforderung], it can cost thousands of francs, and with professional liability insurance, he is financially protected.

Exactly with architects, there are no career changers. I am almost certain that professional liability insurance for architects is compulsory. If the architect makes mistakes, which no one is immune to, then he is of course liable.