PI duration · UK

How long does PI insurance cover me?

Reviewed by Matthew Bartlett, Director, Apex Insurance Brokers Limited (FCA FRN 724952) · Published 14 July 2026

This page gives the direct answer to how long UK PI insurance covers you — policy period, retro-date coverage, and post-cessation run-off requirements by profession.

The claims-made structure

UK PI is written on a claims-made basis. Cover applies to claims made during the policy period, provided the underlying act falls within retro-date coverage.
Retro-date is the earliest date of covered acts. Set at policy inception by default; can be extended earlier.
Notification of circumstance during the policy period ‘deems’ the eventual claim to fall under that policy even after policy expiry.

Post-cessation run-off requirements by profession

Solicitors (SRA). Six years mandatory run-off from cessation.
Architects (ARB). Adequate to the tail — typically six years plus, up to 30 years for BSA-touching higher-risk-building work under BSA 2022 s.135.
Accountants (ICAEW). Two years mandatory run-off from firm cessation.
Surveyors (RICS). Adequate to the tail — typically six years plus.
Engineers. No fixed statutory minimum; adequate to the tail. BSA 2022 s.135 applies to higher-risk-building structural work.
IFAs and FCA-authorised firms. MIPRU 3 adequate-to-tail; often 6-12 years in practice, longer for DB-transfer historic exposure.
Insurance brokers. MIPRU 3 adequate to tail.

Practical implications

PI cover in force today responds to claims made today, subject to retro-date.
Claims made after you stop practising need run-off cover.
Long-tail sectors (architects with BSA work, IFAs with DB transfers) need longer cover.
Retirement or firm cessation triggers the run-off decision.
Individual personal exposure continues even where firm cover is inadequate.

Frequently asked

Does UK PI insurance cover past work?

Yes, subject to retro-date. Standard policies typically cover work done back to policy inception; earlier retro-date extends coverage backwards.

What is retro-date and why does it matter?

The earliest date of covered acts. Sets how far back your PI responds. Matters at broker switch or firm change — ensures no gap between prior work and current cover.

Do I need run-off cover after I retire?

For most professions yes. SRA six years mandatory; ARB adequate to tail; ICAEW two years; FCA adequate to tail. Personal exposure continues after retirement.

How long does BSA 2022 s.135 extend architects' PI need?

Up to 30 years for pre-June 2022 higher-risk-building work; 15 years going forward. Run-off cover for architects touching BSA-relevant buildings needs correspondingly long tails.

What if I switch broker mid-cycle?

Continuity of cover matters. New broker's policy typically continues from old policy's expiry with matching retro-date. Broker manages the transition.

If a claim is made against me years after I stopped working, am I covered?

Only if run-off cover was in place. PI is claims-made — cover must be in force when the claim arrives, not when the work was done.

Can I extend my retro-date after policy inception?

Sometimes possible via endorsement, though insurers charge for extended retro-date. Discuss with broker before switching insurers.

Does my PI cover me if I have moved firms?

Depends on the wording and firm structure. Individual professionals typically covered under the current employer's PI for current work; prior work covered under prior employer's PI including run-off.

What might your PI premium look like?

A guideline range built from the premiums insurers have actually quoted on risks we handle. Pick your profession and enter a few details — it updates instantly.

Profession

Annual fee income — gross, last 12 months

Limit of indemnity

Any claims history?

Any higher-risk work? — e.g. large or overseas projects

Guideline range — this is not a quote

Choose your profession and enter your fee income to see a guideline range.

Get an actual quote →

How these figures are produced

This guide is built from Apex's own market data: the premiums insurers have actually quoted and charged on professional indemnity risks we have handled. Each night that data is aggregated into anonymised rate bands by profession, fee income and limit of indemnity. No client information is published — a band only appears where it contains at least five separate records, and unusually high premiums are excluded so a single atypical risk cannot distort the guide.

The range shown spans the typical spread of recent market outcomes for similar risks. Individual quotes can fall outside it in either direction. Figures exclude insurance premium tax at 12%.

This calculator is not a quote and is not an offer of insurance or advice. Your actual premium depends on full underwriting of your business, including your activities, claims record and insurer appetite at the time.