Aipedia: Architects

Does architects' PI cover AI mistakes?

Aipedia, by the Apex broking team · Last reviewed 2026-10-27

Architects' PI usually covers claims caused by AI-assisted work in the same way as any other negligence, subject to the policy terms and what was disclosed to insurers. No regulator requires specific AI cover, but silence in a wording is not a guarantee.

Part of: AI in Architects

In short

ARB requires PI of at least £250,000 each and every claim under Standard 4.7, and its June 2025 guidance does not mention AI. Most architects' policies are written on a civil liability basis and usually respond to negligent professional work whatever tool was used. This is "silent AI" cover: AI is neither excluded nor expressly covered. Problems arise with work outside the declared business, fire safety restrictions, contractual liabilities and incomplete disclosure. RIBA lists PI and AI as unresolved questions for the profession and insurers.

What ARB requires

Standard 4.7 of the Architects Code requires adequate and appropriate PII. ARB's PII guidance, published 19 June 2025, sets the minimum terms:

Requirement	ARB minimum
Limit	£250,000 each and every claim
Aggregate cover	Allowed only for fire safety and cladding, asbestos and pollution, if sized for multiple claims
Run-off	At least six years (five in Scotland) at the final year's level; 12 years for liabilities under deeds
Restricted cover	Only after reasonable efforts to find full cover; no complete exclusion for work undertaken

The guidance does not mention AI, cyber or technology. RIBA requires members and Chartered Practices to hold suitable insurance, with no AI-specific rule. See what the Architects Code requires.

How civil liability wordings treat AI

Most architects' PI policies cover civil liability arising from the conduct of the professional business. The trigger is a claim alleging the practice failed in its professional services, not the method used. On that basis, a negligent drawing, specification or report is usually covered whether a person or an AI tool produced the first draft.

Insurers will still look at whether the practice behaved as a reasonably competent architect would, so evidence that AI outputs were reviewed is important in defending the claim itself. Most current architects' wordings say nothing about AI. This is often called "silent AI". Insurers may add AI-specific language in future, either clarifying cover (affirmative AI) or limiting it. See affirmative versus silent AI cover and does PI cover AI mistakes for the wider market picture.

Where cover can fail

Work outside the declared business. If AI lets a practice produce structural calculations or other specialist work it has not declared, cover for that work may be disputed. See AI and structural calculations.
Fire safety restrictions. AI-related fire safety errors meet the same restrictions and aggregate limits as any other fire safety claim.
Contractual liability. Guarantees, indemnities and fitness for purpose obligations beyond the duty of care are commonly excluded.
Fair presentation. Material facts must be disclosed to insurers. A significant change in how the practice works, such as heavy reliance on AI for technical outputs, may be material.
Own losses. PI does not usually pay the practice's own costs, such as fixing a tool or a data breach response.

Illustrative scenario

Illustrative. A practice uses AI to draft compliance reports for small residential schemes. At renewal its proposal form describes its work as "architectural design" and does not mention that it now prepares overheating assessments. An overheating claim arrives. The insurer asks whether that work was within the declared professional business and whether the change was disclosed. The outcome depends on the wording and the facts, but the practice now has a coverage dispute as well as a claim. A short note at renewal describing the new service and how AI outputs are checked would probably have avoided the argument.

Proposal forms and disclosure

A proposal form may or may not ask about AI use. Either way, tell your broker:

which tasks use AI and how outputs are reviewed;
whether AI has enabled new services;
whether the practice has a written AI policy (only 19% do, according to the RIBA AI Report 2026);
any client contracts that ban or restrict AI use.

See the architects' proposal form walkthrough and practice AI policies.

How Apex helps

Apex arranges PI for architects. A broker can review your wording for any AI language, check that your declared activities match what the practice actually does, and present your AI controls to insurers at renewal. See also the AI in architecture overview.

Sources

Frequently asked

Is AI excluded from architects' PI?

Usually not. Most architects' wordings are silent on AI and cover civil liability arising from professional services, whatever tools were used. Insurers may add AI wording at renewal, so check your current policy rather than assuming.

Do I need separate AI insurance?

Most architects using AI as a tool rely on their PI. Separate AI-related covers are mainly aimed at firms that build or sell AI systems. Cyber insurance remains relevant for data and system risks that PI does not cover.

Must I tell my insurer I use AI?

If asked, answer accurately. If not asked, the duty of fair presentation still requires disclosure of material facts. A significant change in working methods or new services enabled by AI may be material, so discuss it with your broker.

Does the ARB minimum cover AI claims?

The ARB minimum sets the limit and terms, not the types of cause. A policy meeting the £250,000 each and every claim minimum will usually respond to AI-related negligence, but the limit may be too low for larger projects.

Check your PI covers how you use AI

Tell us about your firm and the work you do. A broker will review how your current PI treats AI-assisted work, or arrange new cover. No fee for a quote. Or call 0117 325 0027.

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Apex Insurance Brokers Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales, company number 07014570. This page is general information about how AI is used in the profession and how insurance may respond. It is not legal, regulatory or insurance advice on your circumstances, and it does not guarantee that cover will be available or on what terms.