Aipedia: Principal designers and building safety

PD insurance and AI: what insurers ask

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

A principal designer's PI usually treats an AI-assisted error like any other professional error, provided the PD role is declared. There is no statutory PI requirement for PDs, so the terms come from contracts and the PD's own profession.

Part of: AI in principal design and building safety

In short

Neither Part 2A nor CDM 2015 requires principal designers to hold PI; competence is the legal test. Cover usually sits within the PD's architects', engineers' or surveyors' PI, with ARB and RICS setting minimums. No insurer or regulator statement on AI and PD cover had been published. An AI-assisted error is usually treated as a professional error, subject to the wording. The bigger issues are declaring the PD role and HRB work, and fire safety limits, which ARB and RICS allow to be restricted in some cases.

No statutory PI requirement for PDs

Neither Part 2A of the Building Regulations nor CDM 2015 requires a principal designer to hold PI. The legal test is competence under Part 2A regs 11F and 11G. In practice PI requirements come from two places:

the appointment: clients and funders commonly set a minimum limit, the basis of cover and how long it must be maintained;
the PD's own profession: ARB sets a minimum of £250,000 each and every claim in its PII guidance, and RICS sets minimum limits by turnover in its PII requirements.

So PD cover usually sits within the PD's existing architects', engineers' or surveyors' PI, with the PD role declared as an activity. Apex's guide to PI for CDM principal designers and the AI for principal designers overview explain the options.

How PD cover usually treats AI-assisted work

No insurer, regulator or professional body statement on AI and PI for principal designers had been published at the time of writing. In general terms:

PI responds to claims arising from negligent professional services. An error made with an AI tool is usually still an error in the professional service, subject to the policy terms;
cover depends on the activity being declared. If a PD role, HRB work or fire safety coordination was not disclosed, the problem is the non-disclosure, not the AI;
some policies may add AI-specific questions, conditions or exclusions over time, so read renewal documents closely. Apex's guide to AI exclusions and clauses covers this.

Fire safety limits

The fire safety position matters more than AI for most PDs:

ARB allows aggregate or restricted fire safety and cladding cover only after reasonable efforts to find full cover;
RICS cover for fire safety on buildings of five storeys and above is negligence-only, with a 1 July 2024 retroactive date (RICS PII requirements v11, 1 July 2025).

An AI-assisted error in a fire strategy review or compliance check would meet these limits like any other fire safety claim. See AI review of fire strategies.

What insurers may ask

Proposal forms vary, but PDs should expect questions such as:

the split of fees between PD work and design work, and between CDM and Part 2A PD roles;
involvement in higher-risk buildings and any fire safety or cladding work (see HRB and cladding disclosure);
whether the firm takes on domestic client duties;
how design coordination is checked, and by whom;
whether AI tools are used for design, compliance or documents, and what review controls apply;
contract terms, such as fitness for purpose obligations or net contribution clauses.

Answer accurately and keep a record. Apex's guide to documenting AI use for PI explains what evidence of AI controls is worth keeping.

Illustrative scenario

Illustrative. A structural engineering firm acts as PD on a mid-rise residential project and uses AI coordination tools. Its proposal form describes it as a structural engineer, with no PD fees declared. A coordination claim follows. The insurer's first question is not about AI but whether the PD role was disclosed. The firm's answer, and its records of how AI output was reviewed, shape the outcome.

Practical steps

Declare PD work, the type of PD role and HRB involvement on the proposal.
Check the policy's fire safety terms, aggregate limits and retroactive date.
Compare appointment PI requirements with the cover you hold before signing.
Keep records of how AI outputs are reviewed and by whom.
Read renewal wording for any new AI conditions.
Consider whether AI use raises a competence question (see Is AI use a PD competence question?).

How Apex helps

Apex arranges PI for principal designers. A broker reviews how your PD role is described, checks fire safety terms and limits, and helps you answer proposal questions about AI-assisted work accurately.

Sources

Frequently asked

Is PI compulsory for principal designers?

Not by statute. Part 2A and CDM 2015 make competence the legal test. PI requirements usually come from appointment contracts and the PD's own profession, such as ARB's minimum of £250,000 each and every claim.

Will my PI exclude claims involving AI?

PI policies may not single out AI, and an AI-assisted error is usually treated as a professional error, subject to the wording. Check renewal documents for new AI questions, conditions or exclusions.

Do I need separate PD insurance?

Often not. PD cover is commonly provided within an architect's, engineer's or surveyor's PI, provided the PD role is declared. Some contracts or projects may require higher limits or specific terms, so compare requirements with your policy.

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.