Professional liability covers service mistakes
Professional liability, or technology E&O, is often the most important policy for web developers. It can respond when a client alleges your work, advice, code, implementation, or project management caused a financial loss.
Examples may include a failed launch, broken ecommerce checkout, missed contractual deadline, SEO migration issue, accessibility dispute, or integration error. The details depend on policy wording and exclusions.
Cyber liability covers a different risk
Cyber liability can help with breach response, notification costs, ransomware, data restoration, and certain privacy claims. Web developers who handle admin credentials, customer data, hosting, analytics, or payment integrations should evaluate cyber coverage carefully.
E&O and cyber are related but not identical. Some tech policies combine them, while others require separate endorsements or standalone policies.
Why clients ask for certificates
Larger clients often require proof of insurance before giving access to systems or signing a services agreement. They may request professional liability, cyber, general liability, or umbrella limits depending on contract size and data sensitivity.
Review insurance requirements before signing. If a contract requires $2 million limits or specific cyber terms, a basic freelancer policy may not be enough.
What affects cost
Premiums depend on revenue, services offered, client industries, contract size, whether you host or maintain sites, data handled, claims history, limits, deductible, and whether cyber is included. Healthcare, finance, ecommerce, and SaaS clients can raise underwriting questions.
Good contracts still matter. Clear scopes, change-order language, launch approvals, security responsibilities, and limitation-of-liability clauses can reduce disputes even when insurance is in place.