Which of the following is NOT one of the four insurance types commonly required of architects by owner contracts?

• A. General liability
• B. Professional liability
• C. Automobile liability
• D. Life insurance

Answer: (D)

Owner contracts typically require insurance that directly mitigates project risk: general liability protects against third-party bodily injury and property damage arising from the firm’s operations, professional liability (E&O) covers design defects and professional mistakes, automobile liability covers accidents involving company vehicles used on the project, and workers’ compensation provides medical benefits and wage replacement for employees injured on the job. Life insurance isn’t focused on project risk or professional liability, so it isn’t a standard requirement in owner contracts. (There can be unrelated reasons a firm might carry life insurance for key-person continuity, but that’s not a common contractually required line for these projects.)