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Aipedia: Surveyors and valuers
The RICS Approved Minimum Wording does not mention AI, so negligent AI-assisted advice is likely to be treated like any other negligence claim, subject to the policy terms. System failures and data protection breaches are a different matter, because the cyber endorsement excludes them.
Part of: AI in surveyors and valuers
In short
RICS-regulated firms must hold PI with an RICS listed insurer on the RICS Approved Minimum Wording, which gives full civil liability cover and does not mention AI. It includes the IUA 04-017 cyber and data protection endorsement: cover is not restricted solely because a computer system is used (cl. 2), but losses from a cyber act or computer system failure or unavailability (cl. 3) and from the insured's breach of data protection law (cl. 5) are excluded. So a surveyor's negligent reliance on AI is likely to be covered, subject to the terms, while system and data incidents may need separate cover.
Under the RICS PII Requirements, Version 11, effective 1 July 2025, RICS-regulated firms must hold PI with an RICS listed insurer on the Approved Minimum Wording. Key requirements include:
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum limit | £250,000 (turnover up to £100,000); £500,000 (£100,001 to £200,000); £1,000,000 (over £200,000) |
| Basis | Each and every claim, defence costs in addition (aggregate allowed for asbestos, pollution, fire safety) |
| Uninsured excess | Maximum the greater of 2.5% of sum insured or £10,000 (limits up to £10m) |
| Consumer run-off | £1m in aggregate over six years on ceasing to trade |
| Wording | RICS Approved Minimum Wording, full civil liability |
The RICS PII page lists the current downloads, with the minimum wording files dated 1 July 2026. Our guide to the RICS minimum wording covers it in more detail.
The RICS Approved Minimum Wording includes the IUA 04-017 Professional Indemnity Cyber and Data Protection Law Endorsement. In summary:
The wording does not mention AI. How it applies to an AI incident will depend on the definitions in the policy and on what actually caused the loss.
A valuer accepts a flawed model figure, a surveyor signs off generic AI report text, or a QS relies on an automated take-off that missed scope. The cause of the loss is the surveyor's failure to exercise reasonable skill and care. This is likely to be treated as an ordinary negligence claim under the full civil liability cover, and clause 2 supports the view that using software is not of itself a reason to restrict cover. Subject to the policy terms.
The AI tool is unavailable, corrupted or compromised, and the loss flows from that rather than from professional judgement. Clause 3 is likely to be relevant, and the claim may fall outside PI. The line between "the system failed" and "the surveyor should have spotted the error" may be argued on the facts.
Client or occupier data is uploaded to an AI tool without a lawful basis, or leaks from a supplier. Losses arising from the insured's breach of data protection law are excluded by clause 5. Separate cyber cover is commonly used for these risks.
CMS has noted that the RICS AI standard is likely to inform how negligence claims against surveyors are judged, and that insurers should assess its effect on risk and cover. A file with a written reliability decision (4.2), a register (3.2), a quarterly reviewed risk register (3.3) and clear client terms (4.3) is easier to defend. Gaps in those records may make it harder to show reasonable care, and insurers may ask about them at renewal.
Illustrative: a firm's AI drafting tool suffers an outage and silently drops sections from a batch of reports. Clients claim for missed defects. The insurer considers whether the losses arose from the surveyors' failure to check the reports, which looks like negligence, or from the system failure, which clause 3 excludes. The firm's dip-sampling records become central to that discussion.
Apex arranges PI for surveyors and valuers. A broker can review how your policy treats AI-assisted work and where cyber cover is needed. See the AI in surveying and valuation hub and our general guide on whether PI covers AI mistakes.
No. The wording does not mention AI. Its cyber and data endorsement says cover is not restricted solely because a computer system is used, but it excludes losses from cyber acts, computer system failure or unavailability, and the insured's breach of data protection law.
Losses arising from the insured's breach of data protection law are excluded by clause 5 of the IUA 04-017 endorsement in the RICS minimum wording. These risks are commonly addressed through separate cyber insurance. Check both policies with your broker.
Some may. It is not yet clear whether insurers will add AI questions, exclusions or affirmative AI wording to RICS-compliant policies. Keeping the records the RICS AI standard requires puts you in a better position to answer whatever is asked.
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.
