Insurance for engineering firms, structural engineers and testing laboratories in Germany
A calculation error in the structural analysis, a ventilation system sized wrongly, a test report with samples mixed up: engineering mistakes sit inside the building or the product and cost money later, but then a lot of it. German state law requires professional indemnity for consulting engineers and structural engineers. This page explains when it is compulsory, which sums are usual and what it costs.
As an employed engineer, am I covered by the firm?
Yes, for everything you design, test or calculate on behalf of the firm. Side work on your own account is not covered, such as a structural calculation for friends at the weekend. If you are personally recognised as a checking engineer or certified inspector, you often also need your own policy with the prescribed sums.
What goes wrong in this trade
01
Structural design
An error in load assumptions or reinforcement often only shows up when cracks appear. Repairs, closures and expert reports quickly cost six figures.
02
Building services
Heating, ventilation or cooling sized wrongly forces alterations while the building is in use, plus energy costs and rent reductions.
03
Test reports
A wrong lab result releases a defective component or stops a good batch. The client claims recall or downtime costs.
04
Sites and plants
During site supervision, commissioning and on-site measurements you work between cranes, open shafts and running machinery.
05
Measuring equipment
Laser scanners, total stations, drones and lab devices are expensive, sensitive and constantly on the move.
06
Data and models
Calculations, BIM models and test data are digital. Loss or encryption puts deadlines and certificates at risk.
For managing directors of an engineering GmbH or laboratory company with personal liability.
What it costs: example prices
What counts is the discipline, fee income or turnover, the sums insured and the deductible. Structural engineering and checking engineers pay more than consulting or surveying.
Insurance
Example
Typical range
Professional indemnity
Consulting engineer, start-up, 3 million euros bodily injury and 300,000 euros other losses
around 900 to 1,500 euros a year
Professional indemnity
Structural engineering with three engineers, fees of 400,000 euros
around 3,000 to 8,000 euros a year
Business liability
Testing lab with ten staff, materials and environmental testing
around 1,500 to 4,000 euros a year
Electronic equipment
Measuring equipment and lab devices worth 150,000 euros
around 600 to 1,800 euros a year
Cyber insurance
Firm with ten workstations
around 600 to 1,500 euros a year
For comparison: Professional indemnity for a start-up firm costs about as much a year as ten to fifteen billed hours of structural engineering.
Guide prices excluding German insurance premium tax, as of September 2026.
The entry premium comes from published tariff examples,
the other figures are guide values from our own quoting experience.
Six things that really happen in engineering firms and labs, all on a single Friday. Tap through the day and see who pays.
Damage so far€430,000
Cracks appear in the underground car park of a block of flats. The reinforcement was calculated too tight, and the slab must be strengthened.
€180,000 · Paid by: Professional indemnity
The ventilation in a school sports hall cannot deliver the required air volume. Retrofitting during the holidays.
€55,000 · Paid by: Professional indemnity
Two concrete samples were mixed up in the lab. The client has a wall that is already cast tested and partly rebuilt.
€38,000 · Paid by: Professional indemnity
On site the tripod with the laser scanner tips over into the excavation pit.
€42,000 · Paid by: Electronic equipment
An employee opens a fake invoice and the server is encrypted. Recovery and two days of downtime.
€20,000 · Paid by: Cyber insurance
A drying cabinet in the lab overheats and sets the room on fire. Equipment, samples and furniture are lost.
€95,000 · Paid by: Business contents
Which package would you have had?
Paid by insurance: €0
Out of your own pocket: €430,000
Illustrative amounts before any excess.
What is paid depends on the policy terms.
Practical tips from your broker
Check the minimum sums of your chamber of engineers and note that checking engineers and certified inspectors often have their own requirements.
For structural engineering choose at least 500,000 euros for property and financial loss, better 1 million euros; even a small calculation error on a bridge or underground car park costs more than 250,000 euros.
Have work outside the HOAI fee scale included: health and safety coordination, energy consulting, fire safety reports, project management and expert witness work.
Insure measuring equipment under electronics cover that extends beyond the premises, so that sites and transport are covered.
For testing labs, think about liability for test reports: the policy must include consequential losses at the client from wrong results.
Only fly drones with their own liability cover and check the category of your operating authorisation.
Why NAMMERT for your business
We compare for your discipline
As a broker we collect quotes from several insurers and check that structural design, building services, surveying or lab work are written into the policy the way you actually work.
Claims practice from our own claims handling
In boat insurance we handle claims ourselves. That knowledge helps with complex construction claims where several parties and insurers argue.
Firm, equipment and private cover together
Professional indemnity, measuring equipment, company cars and your private provision are handled by one team.
Family business since 1989
Free of charge for you, as the insurer pays our commission. You have contacts who know your firm.
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers
Does every engineer in Germany need professional indemnity?
No.
It is compulsory for consulting engineers on the chamber register and, under state law,
for engineers entitled to submit building applications,
structural engineers and checking engineers.
For everyone else it is strongly recommended, because their liability is unlimited.
What does professional indemnity for engineers cost?
For start-ups it begins at around 900 euros a year.
Firms with structural engineering and several engineers pay more like 3,000 to 8,000 euros.
Is damage to my measuring equipment covered?
Not through liability cover.
You insure your own equipment through electronics or contents insurance,
ideally with cover that extends to the site.
Does a testing lab need special cover?
Yes.
It is important that consequential losses from wrong test results are covered,
such as the client's removal and recall costs.
Not every standard policy includes this.
What happens to my liability if I close the firm?
You remain liable for mistakes from earlier years.
Agree run-off cover or a dormant policy so that late claims stay covered.
Does the policy also cover joint ventures?
Only if joint ventures (ARGEN) are explicitly included.
Clarify before you start how the policy deals with your share and joint liability.
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