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Ames & Gough is first-rate. The team working with Thornton Tomasetti treats us as if we are their only client. They are knowledgeable and experienced and have helped us work through a variety of risk management and insurance issues both domestically and on international projects. We feel lucky to have them on our team.
- Dan Cuoco, President & Chief Executive Officer, (Retired), Thornton Tomasetti -
I've worked with Ames & Gough for years regarding our firm's professional liability insurance. Ames & Gough has some of the most knowledgeable insurance professionals that I have met. They understand our business and apply their very deep insurance knowledge to help us. They are customer-focused and always put our firm's needs ahead of their own. Ames & Gough is out to save us money while also looking out for our best interests.
- Donald P. Nims, Jr., PE, Quality Assurance & Risk Manager, Bergmann Associates, Inc. -
For years, Hogan Lovells has relied upon Ames & Gough’s deep understanding of the professional liability issues faced by law firms. Our firm’s needs are consistently met by responsive, friendly senior-level professionals with an unyielding focus on client service and putting our needs at the fore.
- Warren Gorrell, Co-Chair, Hogan Lovells -
Effective risk management is an integral part of our company's productivity goals. Ames & Gough provides the support we need to help us understand and implement good risk management practices. Their professional seminars and outstanding support have helped us to keep our insurance costs down as well as to maintain high standards. We value our relationship with them, are happy that they are part of our team, and thank them for their contributions to our success.
- Mark Teden, Executive Vice President/Treasurer, Bruner/Cott & Associates, Inc. -
Ames & Gough has extensive industry knowledge and experience. Their strategic advice and excellent service have made them an integral part of our law firm’s risk management team. Ames & Gough is very responsive to our queries, and provide prompt answers to a variety of risk management issues -- offering clear advice and direction. They have enhanced our insurance program while being vigilant about our costs.
- David Greenberg, General Counsel, LeClairRyan -
The expertise of the individuals at Ames & Gough has been invaluable to Hoyle Tanner. Over the course of many years, they have consistently provided Hoyle Tanner with knowledgeable advice and excellent service.
- James D. Boothroyd, P.E., President, Hoyle, Tanner & Associates, Inc. -
We rely on Ames & Gough as our portal to the commercial insurance market for law firms. Their knowledge and service are exemplary, and we thank them for their contributions to our success.
- Phil Sunshine, General Counsel, Finnegan -
During our more than five-year relationship with Ames & Gough, we have grown to depend heavily on their experience in the A/E industry. Their skill at identifying risk exposures, skill in reviewing our contracts, and personal approach to insurance brokerage have made Ames & Gough indispensable to our firm. As contract negotiations become more complicated and the risk of litigation greater, there is no price our firm can put on having Ames & Gough and a good lawyer on our team.
- Ms. Polly Brazelton, Senior Associate, Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates -
Ames & Gough has worked closely, proactively, and successfully with our law firm. They have been very effective at obtaining the best insurance coverage for the best price. Additionally, the personnel have been extremely responsive on all our risk management issues. They are very knowledgeable and we are glad they are an integral part of our team.
- Steve Leonard, Chief Operating Officer, Zuckerman Spaeder, LLP -
Ames & Gough has provided our firm with continued support throughout the past 18 years, and the risk management services they provide have proven invaluable to Nitsch Engineering. We consider Ames & Gough as being an essential part of our team.
- Judy Nitsch, PE, LEED AP, President, Nitsch Engineering, Inc.
Ames & Gough is a Proud Sponsor of:
Professional Liability
A vital coverage for many professional firms and organizations is professional liability, or errors and omissions (E&O), insurance. This insurance provides financial protection against a variety of claims arising from an error and omission due to the insured’s negligent performance.
The coverage typically is structured to provide reimbursement for an insured professional or entity’s legal defense costs as well as to pay the costs associated with any damage awards and settlements. Because the policy can address these various costs, buyer of this coverage need to make careful and informed decisions with respect to the adequacy of their policy limits. For example, a costly defense could exhaust a policy’s limits, leaving little additional insurance proceeds to pay the cost of a settlement or award.
A number of insurers offer professional liability policies with a variety of optional features. For example, some policies for architects and engineers can be structured to provide extended protection for risks associated with LEED certification, punitive damages (where permitted by law), acquisitions, pollution exposures, as well as to extend reporting periods for covered claims and to provide credits when mediation is used to resolve claims.
Nearly all professional liability policies issued today are underwritten on a “claims-made” basis, meaning that coverage is restricted only to claims made during the policy period. Underwriting is based on a variety of factors that form the risk profile of the insurance buyer, including prior loss history, recent and anticipated merger and acquisition activity, and an evaluation of the scope and nature of work of the entity seeking the coverage.
Firms doing business internationally need to be sure their professional liability insurance policy is designed to cover exposures outside the U.S. Insurance regulations vary by country, and any coverage should be structured in accordance with local requirements.