Aipedia: Energy assessors and retrofit coordinators

Does PI cover AI errors in EPCs and retrofit?

Aipedia, by the Apex broking team · Last reviewed 2026-10-30

Usually yes: a claim that an EPC, assessment or retrofit plan was negligent is generally treated as professional negligence whatever tool was used, subject to the policy terms. Assessors and coordinators often sit under several layers of cover, so the gaps between them matter.

Part of: AI in energy assessors and retrofit coordinators

In short

Energy assessors work under scheme-required indemnity arrangements (reg 22(3)(e) of the 2012 Regulations), often their own PI, and sometimes a scheme lodgement policy. TrustMark retrofit coordinators need PI from a regulated insurer of at least £250k per property. No regulator, scheme or insurer has published a statement on AI and PI. AI-caused errors are usually treated as negligence, subject to the terms. Gaps can arise from undeclared activities, lodgement policy scope, software and property damage exclusions, low limits and aggregation of repeated errors.

The layers of cover in energy assessment and retrofit

Energy assessors and retrofit coordinators often sit under more than one layer of indemnity, and AI-caused errors test how those layers fit together. The main layers are:

Scheme-required indemnity arrangements: the EPB Regulations 2012 require approved schemes to provide for members to have indemnity arrangements in relation to relevant persons and prospective or actual buyers or tenants (reg 22(3)(e)). The minimum level is set by scheme rules.
The assessor's own PI: many schemes require members to buy their own cover. Elmhurst, for example, requires accredited members to arrange their own PI and public liability insurance under its Scheme Operating Requirements.
Scheme lodgement policies: some schemes also provide a policy linked to lodgement. Elmhurst separately provides a policy covering lodgement of members' reports and certificates through its systems (Elmhurst insurance page, updated 30 June 2026).
TrustMark coordinator PI: retrofit coordinators need PI from a regulated insurer, with no self-insurance, at a minimum of "£250k PI & PL per property, or as required by the client", under the TrustMark scheme requirements.

How these usually respond to AI-caused errors

As at October 2026, no regulator, scheme or insurer had published a statement on AI and PI. In general, a PI policy responds to claims arising from the insured's professional work, and a claim that an EPC, assessment or retrofit plan was negligent is usually treated the same way whether the error came from a tape measure, a spreadsheet or an AI tool, subject to the policy terms. The professional adopted the output, and the duty of reasonable care and skill under reg 24(1) applies to the result.

That does not mean every AI-related loss is covered. The answer depends on the wording, and policies differ. Our general guide on whether PI covers AI mistakes sets out the common positions.

Where gaps can appear

The risk is less that AI is excluded by name and more that AI-related losses fall between layers or into existing exclusions. Points to check include:

Scope of the lodgement policy: a scheme policy linked to lodgement may not respond to advice given outside the certificate, such as retrofit plans or landlord advice.
Activities outside the declared business: retrofit coordination, grant screening or consultancy may need to be declared separately from EPC work.
Software and data exclusions: some wordings exclude losses from failure or malfunction of computer systems or software; see cyber exclusions in PI.
Property damage and bodily injury: damp and mould after retrofit may meet these exclusions; see the property damage exclusion.
Limits: a £250k per property minimum may be too low for higher-value homes, commercial buildings or repeated errors across a portfolio; see any one claim versus aggregate.
Silent AI: wordings that neither include nor exclude AI leave room for argument; see affirmative AI cover versus silent AI.

Illustrative scenario

Illustrative: a firm employs domestic assessors and a retrofit coordinator. It uses one AI floor-plan tool across all its work. A software update changes how the tool handles extensions, and dozens of EPCs are lodged with overstated floor areas before the problem is noticed. Some of those homes then receive retrofit plans built on the wrong data. Claims arrive from buyers, a landlord and a homeowner whose works were mis-sized. The firm has to work out which claims fall under its own PI, whether the scheme lodgement policy has any role, whether the errors are aggregated as one claim or treated separately, and whether the coordinator's cover extends to the EPC element.

Practical steps

The practical answer is to map your activities to your cover before anything goes wrong. Useful steps are:

List every service you provide, including advice outside the certificate, and check each is declared.
Ask your scheme what its lodgement policy covers and what it does not.
Check how your policy treats software failure, property damage and repeated errors.
Make sure your limit meets your scheme or TrustMark minimum and your clients' requirements.
Record which AI tools you use and how outputs are checked; see what to document about AI use.
Notify circumstances promptly if you find a systematic error; see notification of circumstances.

Task-specific guidance is in AI floor plans and measurements and AI medium-term improvement plans.

How Apex helps

Apex arranges PI for energy assessors and retrofit coordinators and can review how your own cover sits alongside scheme arrangements. See Do energy assessors need PI insurance? and the AI in energy assessment hub.

Sources

Frequently asked

Does PI cover mistakes made by an AI tool on an EPC?

Usually a claim that an EPC was negligent is treated as a claim about the assessor's professional work, whatever tool was used, subject to the policy terms. Check exclusions for software failure and how repeated errors are aggregated.

Is my scheme's lodgement policy enough?

It may not be. For example, Elmhurst requires members to arrange their own PI and public liability insurance and separately provides a lodgement policy. Check what each covers, especially for advice and retrofit work outside the certificate.

Is £250k per property enough for a retrofit coordinator?

It is the TrustMark minimum, not a recommendation. Higher-value homes, commercial buildings, client requirements or repeated errors across many properties may justify a higher limit.

Do any PI policies exclude AI specifically?

We have not seen a regulator or scheme statement on AI and PI for this sector. Wordings may be silent on AI, so the answer depends on general terms such as computer system, property damage and contractual liability exclusions.

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.

Start a PI quote Request a callback

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.