Professional liability insurance can take on different forms and names depending on the profession. For example, in reference to medical professions it is called malpractice insurance, while errors and omissions insurance is used by consultants, brokers and lawyers.

The primary reason to hold professional liability coverage is that a typical General Liability policy will not cover claims arising from negligence, misrepresentation, violation of good faith and fair dealing, or inaccurate advice.

Coverage does not include criminal prosecution, nor all forms of legal liability under civil law, only those specifically enumerated in the policy.