Between friends, advice is given with the best possible intent and is usually supported by well-informed opinion. At least with the friends you would seek advice from.

With professional services, however, advice can become a business transaction. Dozens of professional services offer their customers advice that ranges from shrubbery arrangements to open heart surgery. Landscapers and surgeons alike provide clients and patients with professional advice that, while most often proves reliable, can sometimes have damaging—even devastating—effects, well-intentioned the advice may be:

--If a landscaper mistakenly plants shade-loving roses in a garden that spends the better part of the day in sunlight, the roses will probably die. When the client realizes the wrong roses were planted, they could potentially sue the landscaper for his error.

--If an unforeseen complication arises during surgery that stems from the surgeon or doctor’s medical advice and the patient dies, the surgeon or doctor could be held liable and sued by the patient’s family.

Though these examples obviously differ in the extent of their consequences, incidents of this nature do occur, and business owners and/or professionals should be prepared for them. Lawsuits and taking legal action are ever-growing trends, and one way for professionals to protect themselves is having Errors and Omissions Insurance. An E&O policy provides coverage if you or your business is sued for damages or monetary compensation, whether from faulty advice, mistakes, or accidental mishaps. It provides peace of mind by knowing that your business won’t go under because of one innocent error or mistake.

Any business or professional that provides advice or consultation services to customers should consider Errors and Omissions Insurance. Hopefully, you won’t ever have to use it. But we’re only human. If the worst should happen, you want to be covered.

To receive a free quote, send us an email or call Homer Smith Insurance directly at 888-433-0031. We are an independent insurance agency serving Washington, but we are also licensed for Oregon, California, Nevada and Arizona.

Erin Stork, Homer Smith Insurance