Tailor your plan with customisable options for Lump Sum, periodic income, or money-back features. Buy plan today !
Overview
Professional Liability Insurance for California Attorneys
The State Bar of California-Sponsored Professional Liability Insurance Program offered by AMBA is nationally recognized with deep roots in the placement of Lawyers Professional Liability (LPL) insurance and is underwritten by Arch Insurance Company, the LPL insurer of the Program for over 20 years.
This program provides claims-made and reported coverage for claims arising from negligent acts, errors, omissions, or personal injury in the rendering of professional services as an attorney, with limits available from $100,000 to $5 million per claim and a range of deductible options.
Improved Risk Management Services
This plan now comes with robust Risk Management Services designed specifically for lawyers in active practice.
Through Attorneys Risk Management (ARM), provided by Barron & Newburger, P.C., each insured lawyer is entitled to:
- Up to four (4) hours of confidential advice from experienced risk management counsel
- Up to five (5) hours of ethics CLEs
- Access to a growing library of forms, checklists, and other tools to help reduce risk in daily practice
View the Full List
Contact Information
We're here to help! Please contact us in whatever manner is most convenient for you.
phone
Hours
6am-3pm PT
Address
AMBA
4050 114th Street
Urbandale, Iowa 50322
Application Mailing Address
AMBA
P.O. Box 850386
Minneapolis, MN
55485-0386
Coverage Highlights Included With Your Policy
Free Access to Fastcase
A free benefit offered for all active insureds with Arch Insurance (valued at $995).
Up to 25 Hours of Online CLEs
You may select from the California Lawyers Association’s library of 650 hours of quality online courses (a retail value of $1,125).
Data Breach Protection
Receive up to $25,000 in expense reimbursement for mitigation and remediation if protected information is compromised. Optional Cyber Liability Coverage is available for broader protection.
CLA Membership
Insured lawyers get a one-time free section membership in the California Lawyers Association (valued at $120)
Claims Expense Coverage
An additional $50,000 in claims expense coverage is included at no charge. Optional defense limit coverage is available up to $2,000,000.
Protect Yourself with State Bar Sponsored Professional Liability Customized Coverage
This program offers several policy types so you can match your coverage to the work you perform. Options are available for private practice, corporate roles with outside matters, neutral services, and new admittees. A separate option supports qualifying low bono solo practitioners through the Economic Justice Program.
Policy Options:
- Standard Policy (Full time and Part time)
- Corporate or Moonlighting
- New Admittee
- Arbitration/Mediation
- California Lawyers Economic Justice (low bono program)
How Do I Know if This Is the Right Program for Me?
As a solo practitioner or small firm, maintaining professional liability coverage is an essential part of managing your practice. This program is structured to support the way smaller firms operate by offering established malpractice protection and responsive claims handling. It is designed for attorneys who want coverage that aligns with their practice size and the types of matters they manage every day.
Why California Attorneys Trust This Program
This is the only professional liability insurance plan sponsored by the State Bar of California. The program is underwritten by Arch Insurance Company, which has served as the carrier for this plan for 20 years. Arch has extensive experience underwriting lawyers professional liability policies and structures its approach around the needs and risk profile of smaller California firms. The company is rated Excellent by A. M. Best.
Claims are handled by professionals with significant experience in California malpractice matters. When a claim is made, qualified defense counsel is appointed to manage the process. AMBA administers the program and has worked with carriers in the legal malpractice market for more than 40 years.
Handling Errors in Representation: What California Lawyers Need to Know Webinar
Even diligent attorneys can encounter errors in representation. This session reviews the obligations that apply when mistakes occur, including communication requirements, disclosure considerations, and the relevant Rules of Professional Conduct. The webinar is led by senior risk management lawyers and provides practical guidance for identifying issues and locating trusted ethics resources tailored to California practice.
How to Apply for
Professional Liability Insurance
The application process is designed to be straightforward so you can receive a premium quote quickly.
Complete the Online Application
Submit the short application to begin the review process. The application collects only the information needed to prepare your quote.
Receive Your Quote
An AMBA representative will contact you with your premium quote and will be available to answer questions about limits, deductibles, or coverage options.
Finalize Your Coverage
Once you accept the quote, completing your purchase requires signing the acceptance and submitting your initial payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is professional liability insurance?
Professional liability insurance provides coverage for monetary damages resulting from claims alleging negligence, errors, omissions, or personal injury in the rendering of legal services. Coverage applies to the Insured in the Named Insured’s practice.
Is this a claims-made and reported policy?
Yes. Coverage applies to claims that are first made and reported during the policy period or any applicable extended reporting period.
What types of policies are available?
Policy options include standard full-time and part-time policies, corporate or moonlighting policies, new admittee program, arbitration and mediation programs, and the California Lawyers Economic Justice Program for qualifying solo practitioners.
Who is eligible for coverage?
All licensed attorneys in private practice of law. The program is designed for firms up to 40 attorneys and covers most practice areas, subject to underwriting review.
How much coverage do I need?
Coverage limits vary by firm and other various factors. The average limits purchased by small firms in California are $500,000 per claim and $1,000,000 aggregate. Defense costs are included within the limits. Additional limit, deductible, and defense cost options are available.
What limits and deductibles are available?
Limits range from $100,000 to $5 million per claim, with deductibles from $0 to $50,000. Additional claims expense coverage is included at no charge. Various limit, deductible, and defense cost options are available.
Does the policy include prior acts coverage?
Prior acts coverage is available to qualifying firms, subject to underwriting review.
Is Extended Reporting Period coverage available?
Yes. An automatic 60-day extended reporting period is included, which is often called a tail. Optional extended reporting periods (tails) of 12, 24, or 36 months, as well as an unlimited tail, are available. A free unlimited retirement tail is available to qualifying attorneys. It is available For solo Named Insureds who retire and have been continuously insured in the AMBA State Bar Program for 3 consecutive years and are 55 years of age or older.
What other coverage features are included with my policy?
Other key highlights of this professional liability insurance includes coverage for certain situations that may arise in practice. Attorneys can expect up to $25,000 for expenses related to responding to a non-party subpoena, up to $50,000 for the investigation or defense of proceedings before a state licensing board or regulatory body, and worldwide coverage with no requirement that a claim be made in the United States. Additional coverage features are subject to policy terms and conditions.
Can I pay premiums in installments?
Yes. Premium financing is available with an initial down payment and nine monthly installments.
How do I get a quote?
Complete the online application to receive a quotation. An AMBA expert will review your information and contact you to discuss your premium and coverage options.
Are there other types of coverage I may need when starting or growing a practice?
Yes. Firms with employees often need Workers’ Compensation coverage. Workers’ Compensation helps pay for medical expenses and lost wages if an employee is injured while performing work for the practice. This coverage is required for firms with employees in California and is available through an experienced provider that works with small legal practices.