Business Insurance for Private Investigators

Covers claims that your investigative services caused harm — incorrect identification of a surveillance subject, botched evidence gathering that damaged a legal case, privacy violations from improper investigative techniques, or negligent investigation that resulted in false accusations. PI professional liability covers your defense and any settlement.

Covers third-party bodily injury and property damage. Required by state PI licensing boards in most states. PIs face GL exposure from surveillance activities — a subject who notices surveillance and is injured in a confrontation, property damage during an investigation, and liability arising from client-directed investigations.

Private investigators spend significant time in vehicles conducting mobile surveillance. Personal auto policies exclude business use and will deny claims if you are conducting surveillance for pay. Commercial auto is required for any vehicle used for investigative purposes — including your own personal vehicle used for surveillance work.

PIs gather and store sensitive personal information — subjects of investigation, client information, surveillance records, and legal documents. A data breach involving investigation files or client identity information is a significant legal and ethical exposure. Cyber liability covers breach notification costs and legal defense.

Covers claims from errors in your investigative reports — incorrect facts, misidentified individuals, or incomplete findings that damaged a legal case or client interest. Distinct from professional liability in some policies — verify your coverage addresses both service delivery claims and factual accuracy claims in your reports.