E&O is usually the main policy
Errors and omissions insurance is the core coverage for real estate agents. It can respond to claims alleging professional mistakes, missed disclosures, documentation errors, missed deadlines, or advice that caused financial harm.
Some brokerages provide E&O or require agents to participate in a group policy. Others require agents to buy their own coverage or pay into a risk-management program.
General liability is different
General liability covers bodily injury and property damage, not transaction mistakes. It can matter for agents with offices, open-house exposure, signage, rented spaces, or events.
If you are an independent agent operating through your own business entity, do not assume the brokerage's coverage protects every activity you perform outside the brokerage relationship.
Auto exposure is easy to overlook
Real estate agents drive frequently for showings, inspections, listing appointments, and client meetings. Many agents use personal vehicles, so the first step is understanding whether personal auto covers the actual business use.
If a brokerage or team owns vehicles, pays employees to drive, or requires assistants to run errands, commercial auto or hired and non-owned auto may be relevant.
What affects cost
E&O cost depends on transaction volume, state, brokerage arrangement, coverage limits, deductible, claims history, property types, and whether you handle commercial real estate, property management, leasing, or higher-risk transactions.
Agents should compare policy exclusions, retroactive date, defense costs, fair housing coverage, regulatory complaint coverage, and whether open houses or property management activities require separate coverage.