Private Investigator Insurance

Private Investigator Insurance

Get a custom private investigator insurance policy to protect your business against claims of negligence, errors, or omissions.

Trusted by over 300,000 Canadian small business owners!

Save up to 35% on your insurance

Get the best insurance quote in a few clicks!

Trusted by over 300,000 Canadian small business owners!
Save up to 35% on your insurance
Get the best insurance quote in a few clicks!
Get a Free Quote
Zensurance - Private Investigator

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Private Investigator

Insurance for private investigators

As a private investigator, you’re an expert at leaving no stone unturned to discover the truth. Depending on the case you’re currently investigating, you could find yourself in a variety of situations and locations – there’s never a dull day. But even with the attention to detail required for the role, it’s fair to say not every case will go to plan.

When a case goes south due to serious allegations of negligence or malpractice, or even due to a slip-and-fall you’re liable for, you need an insurance policy that’s built around your business and the risks you face.

Private investigator insurance is a group of policies that, when combined, offer comprehensive coverage to protect independent investigators and agencies against the specific risks and allegations they may face.

Your insurance policy can be built around your needs, however, the majority of private investigator insurance policies will include the following coverages:

  • Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance: Otherwise known as professional liability insurance, E&O insurance protects private investigators against mental anguish charges and allegations of negligence or faulty services. For example, suppose you’re investigating a missing teenager, and you follow a lead that they’d been located across the country. Unfortunately, the lead turned out to be wrong after you’d preemptively told your client their teenager had been located. The client sues you for providing false hope and causing mental suffering. E&O insurance could cover the legal expenses, regardless of fault, and other related costs to the third party.
  • Commercial General Liability (CGL) Insurance: CGL insurance provides protection against the day-to-day third-party accidents you may be liable for, such as a slip-and-fall accident or property damage. Say you meet a client at their home to discuss their partner’s suspected affair. You accidentally knock over an expensive vase as you enter. Your CGL insurance could cover the cost of repairing or replacing the vase.
  • Cyber Liability Insurance: Cyber liability insurance protects businesses against the implications of cyber-attacks, data breaches and other cyber events. You can be covered financially for things such as loss of income, notification costs, or data infrastructure repair. Say you’re a victim of a cyber-attack and confidential files go missing from your computer. In this case, cyber liability insurance could cover the cost to recover the missing files and the costs to notify those affected.
  • Commercial Auto Insurance: You likely have to do a lot of travelling for business purposes, so ensure your liability is covered with commercial auto insurance. This coverage can protect you against at-fault accidents, covering costs for third-party property damage and bodily injury.

Additional coverages to consider:

The cost of a private insurance policy depends on varying factors about your business. For a starting price, a private investigator insurance package can be approximately $900 a year for a CGL policy with a $1 million limit and $250,000 E&O insurance sub-limit.

When you make an online quote, you’ll be asked specific questions about your business to help us understand your requirements. Your quote will be calculated based on the information you provide, such as the following:

  • Industry
  • Years of experience
  • Number of employees
  • Claims history
  • Annual and projected gross revenue

Independent private investigators or agencies providing professional consulting services or advice should protect themselves with a comprehensive insurance policy package. In some cases, insurance may be mandatory. For example, in Ontario, private investigation agencies must hold a minimum of $2 million in general liability insurance.

We’ve insured more than 1,000 investigative professionals. Some of our clients include:

  • Private detectives
  • Arson and fire investigators
  • Cyber and computer forensics
  • Corporate investigators
  • Financial and insurance investigators
  • Store detectives

Getting insured is quick and easy!

Complete our 5-minute online application for a free private investigator insurance quote.

Get a Free Quote

Common claims scenarios

private investigator running background check

Problem: You clear an executive-level job candidate after performing a background check. Your client proceeds to hire the person based on your findings. However, soon after, the candidate is found guilty of insider trading.

Outcome: Your professional liability insurance policy may cover the defence costs and monetary judgment, totalling $250,000.

computer hacker

Problem: A hacker infiltrates your server where highly classified information is stored, gaining access to a corporate fraud case you are investigating.

Outcome: Your cyber liability insurance may cover the costs of legal expenses and recovering the classified information, totalling $500,000.

witness walking up stairs

Problem: In the middle of a missing child case, you invite a potential witness up to your office for an interview. Unfortunately, the witness slips on the stairs and is injured.

Outcome: Your commercial general liability insurance may cover the client’s medical expenses and legal fees, totalling $36,000.

Frequently asked questions

Can you provide access to coverage for armed private investigators?

Yes, private investigators that carry arms can be covered by private investigator insurance. However, you should expect higher policy rates due to higher risks.

An insurance company hired me to investigate a fraud case. Do I still need insurance?

Yes. You should have a policy, especially if you’re hired as a contractor. Your services are unlikely to be adequately covered by another company’s policy.

I was charged with trespassing on private property during surveillance. Will my insurance cover this?

No, private investigators cannot legally go onto private property on their own without permission – this is breaking the law, and insurance doesn’t cover intentional criminal acts.

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Ready to start? Let’s get a quote!

As a private investigator, you deserve a broker dedicated to providing you with the same level of detail as you give to your clients. Start your online application today and get a free quote.

If you’d like to speak with a broker about your specific needs, our friendly team is ready to guide you through the process.

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