Overview — Amwins Architects & Engineers Program
Amwins Programs Underwriters' Architects & Engineers insurance program is tailored for architects, engineers and other design professionals across the United States. The program is designed for firms generating annual revenue from about $100,000 up to $30 million and is offered through Amwins as the managing general agency with capacity from QBE North America.
Ideal Accounts and Appetite
Target classes include:
- Architects
- Engineers
- Other design professionals (e.g., landscape architects, interior designers where appropriate)
- Agency construction managers
Typical fits are professional design firms with straightforward project portfolios, stable revenue, documented quality control processes, and reasonable loss histories. Examples you might place with this program:
- A regional architectural firm with $2.5M annual revenue that provides building design and code compliance services.
- An engineering consultancy focused on civil/site work and municipal projects with $8M in revenue and a formal QA/QC program.
Classes of Business Not Eligible
- Elevator consultants
- Chemical/petrochemical engineers
- Marine architects/engineers
- Naval engineers
- Process engineers
- Product or machine designers
Coverage Highlights and Advantages
- Pre-claims assistance and crisis management resources to help avoid or control claims early.
- Pollution and technology coverage extensions where exposures justify them.
- No copyright/trademark exclusion — helpful for design professionals who incorporate client-supplied or licensed materials.
- Voluntary mediation credit and access to pre-approved defense counsel.
- Worldwide coverage and waiver of subrogation where required by contract.
- Consent to settle 50/50 (may be removed for claims-free risks).
- First Dollar Defense or shared cost-of-defense retentions available for select risks.
- Punitive damages covered where insurable and in the most favorable venue.
- Joint venture coverage and follow-form excess (available nationwide on an admitted basis in many states).
Limits, Premiums and Underwriting Notes
- Primary practice and follow-form excess policy limits up to $5M per claim / $5M aggregate.
- Specific project and specific client excess limits are available.
- Minimum premium: Varies by risk — refer submissions or contact your Amwins representative for an indication.
- Underwriting emphasis is on firm size, project mix, contractual risk transfer, quality control procedures, and claims history. Provide clear revenue breakdowns, sample contracts, and loss runs to speed placement.
Territories and Admitted Status
The program is admitted in most states. Per program guidelines it is admitted in all states except AK and WY; for states where Amwins is not admitted the program writes on a non-admitted basis. States known to be available include: AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, DC, WV, WI.
Why Place This Business With Amwins
As a managing general agency, Amwins combines program underwriting expertise with carrier capacity (QBE North America) to provide tailored A&E solutions. The program’s strengths are flexible defense options, pollution and technology extensions, contract-friendly features (waiver of subrogation, joint venture coverage), and admitted follow-form excess availability in many jurisdictions. This makes it a good option for agents placing mid-sized design firms that need broad professional liability protection and contractually-driven endorsements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of accounts are a good fit for this program?
Mid-sized architects, engineers and other licensed design professionals with annual revenues between $100K and $30M, clean to moderate loss histories, and formal quality control procedures are the best fit. Agency construction managers and joint ventures can also be considered where exposures are clear and contracts are reviewed.
Which classes are routinely declined?
The program does not accept elevator consultants, chemical/petrochemical engineers, marine or naval engineers, process engineers, or product/machine designers. High-hazard design work and firms with frequent or severe professional liability claims are also difficult to place.
Is the coverage admitted or non-admitted in my state?
The program is admitted in most states and specifically admitted in all states except Alaska and Wyoming. For states where Amwins is not admitted, the program can write on a non-admitted basis. Confirm state availability on each submission.
What information speeds underwriting and placement?
Provide current revenue by practice line, sample professional services agreements, a claims/loss history, descriptions of quality control and peer review processes, and any risk management or training programs. Clear contract language helps underwriters assess waiver of subrogation and consent to settle considerations.
Need help placing an account? Connect with a market specialist.