Professional liability insurance (PLI) is insurance for professionals who have expertise in a specific area because general liability insurance policies do not cover claims arising out of errors or omissions (“mistakes”). A mistake which causes financial harm to another can occur in many professions.
Who must have it?
All practitioners must carry professional liability insurance for the practice of surveying and provide proof of insurance coverage to the Alberta Land Surveyors’ Association.
Failure to have professional liability insurance coverage or provide proof of the professional liability insurance coverage will result in the Alberta Land Surveyors’ Association cancelling the practitioner’s registration and the practitioner will be unable to practice.
Please note that practitioners who engage in the practice of surveying (but not the practice of land surveying) must still carry professional liability insurance.
When a surveyor’s corporation or surveyor’s partnership has provided the registrar with proof of professional liability insurance, all Alberta Land Surveyors employed at that surveyor’s corporation or surveyor’s partnership are deemed to have met the requirements of Section 65(1) of the Association’s bylaws.
Exceptions
The Registrar, upon receipt of a signed affidavit, may exempt a practitioner from providing proof of professional liability insurance if…
1. the practitioner is employed by a municipal, provincial or federal government department;
2. the practitioner is employed by an educational institution; or
3. the practitioner is not engaging in the practice of surveying in Alberta.
If a practitioner wishes to commence the practice of surveying in Alberta in circumstances to which the exemption previously granted is no longer applicable, the practitioner must notify the registrar and must immediately take steps to obtain professional liability insurance in accordance with the ALSA bylaws and provide proof to the registrar.
Click here for the form to apply for exemption from providing proof of professional liability insurance coverage.
Limits
According to the Alberta Land Surveyors’ Association bylaws, the minimum limit of liability shall be $500,000 per loss and $500,000 per policy period.
Recommendations
The Alberta Land Surveyors’ Association does not endorse or recommend any specific insurer or broker.
Retirement
An Alberta Land Surveyor who wishes to retire from active practice or applies to cancel their registration as an Alberta Land Surveyor must establish to Council's satisfaction that the member has provided for adequate insurance coverage.
Disclosure
The Alberta Land Surveyors’ Association does not disclose any information about a practitioner’s professional liability insurance policy, including the name of the insurer, policy limits and deductibles or other insurance policy provisions.
If you believe you have a potential claim against a practitioner, the Alberta Land Surveyors’ Association encourages you to first contact the practitioner directly and then, if necessary, initiate a claim against the practitioner.