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Aipedia: Structural and civil engineers
Engineers' PI usually covers claims arising from design errors whether or not an AI tool was involved, because the test is negligence, not the method used. Cover still depends on the policy wording, any exclusions and what you told insurers.
Part of: AI in structural and civil engineering
In short
A civil liability PI policy generally responds to claims that an engineer breached a professional duty, and an AI-caused error is still the engineer's error. No regulator or institution has issued a statement on AI and PI, and IStructE's AI guidance is silent on insurance. The practical issues are the wording (professional business description, exclusions and any technology-related endorsements), accurate answers on the proposal form, the limited prospect of recovering losses from tool suppliers, and records showing the work was checked. Engineers who document their AI controls are in a stronger position at renewal and if a claim arises.
Most engineers' PI is written on a civil liability basis, responding to claims alleging a breach of professional duty in the course of the insured's professional business. Whether a design error came from a hand calculation, a spreadsheet, analysis software or an AI tool, the claimant's allegation is usually the same: the design fell below the standard of a reasonably competent engineer. PI usually responds to that allegation, subject to the policy terms. Our general guide to whether PI covers AI mistakes explains the position across professions.
There is no statutory compulsory PI for structural or civil engineers generally, so cover is usually driven by appointment and warranty requirements. The limit and terms you agreed with clients matter as much as the policy.
The IStructE AI guidance expects senior review of AI-produced design, an AI risk matrix and client disclosure, but does not address PI. The Statement of Ethical Principles asks engineers to consider AI risks fully. CROSS-UK Report 1554 said responsibility must stay with suitably qualified structural engineers. Taken together, these suggest that a court or insurer will expect AI-assisted work to have been checked to the same standard as any other work. Our guidance explainer sets out the expectations.
For commercial insurance, firms have a duty to make a fair presentation of the risk. If a proposal form asks about AI use, answer accurately and describe your controls. Even if it does not ask, a material change in how you work may be worth disclosing. Describing your controls, such as senior review, a tool register and an AI lead, gives underwriters a fuller picture than a bare yes or no and avoids later arguments about what was disclosed. Our engineers proposal form walkthrough covers how to present your practice.
Engineers sometimes assume they can pass a loss to the supplier of a faulty tool. In practice, software licences commonly limit or exclude the supplier's liability, and the engineer remains liable to the client. Your insurer may consider recovery after paying a claim, but the prospects depend on the licence terms. Check those terms before relying on a tool for critical work.
Illustrative scenario: a calculation tool contains a bug that misapplies a load factor. Several projects are affected. The engineer notifies insurers, who handle the client claims. The supplier's licence caps liability at the annual subscription fee, so recovery is minimal. The engineer's own policy is therefore the main protection, and the related claims may be aggregated depending on the wording.
Records are the best protection. Keep a tool register, record who reviewed AI-assisted work, retain prompts and outputs for critical elements, and log training. Our guide to what to document about AI use gives a checklist. Related: LLMs and calculations and AI design checking. Back to AI in structural and civil engineering.
Apex arranges PI for structural and civil engineers. A broker reviews your cover, your proposal form answers on AI and how your policy treats AI-assisted design. See our engineers PI guide.
Not usually for that reason alone. PI responds to negligence claims regardless of the tool. Problems are more likely if the proposal form misrepresented your practices, a relevant exclusion applies, or the services fall outside your professional business description.
If the proposal form asks, answer accurately. If it does not, consider whether AI use is a material change to how you work, because commercial insureds have a duty of fair presentation. Your broker can advise on how to present it.
Possibly, but licences commonly limit or exclude supplier liability. You remain liable to your client either way. Check the licence terms before relying on a tool for critical work.
A tool register with versions, evidence of senior review of AI-produced design, retained prompts and outputs for critical elements, training records and client disclosure. These show the work met a reasonable standard and help your insurer defend the claim.
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 callbackApex 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.
