Start with the exposure. Then read the wording.

Professional liability

Describe the service before choosing the wording. Research analysis, technical advice, and patient treatment call for different questions about professional liability.

Does the description of professional services match the work?

A research agreement may make commitments about methods, deliverables, or results. A healthcare agreement may concern treatment itself. Put those activities beside the proposed policy wording so the discussion does not stop at a coverage label.

Wording to review

• The services named in the application and policy
• Contractual liability and the treatment of warranties
• Retroactive dates and reporting provisions where applicable
• Defense costs, deductibles, and exclusions relevant to the service

Bring to the discussion

Prepare a plain-language service description, the insurance provisions in the relevant agreement, and existing policy dates. Keep individual patient records out of the initial discussion.

Commercial property

Separate equipment replacement from the value of the work it supports. A laboratory inventory should explain ownership, location, and the materials that need special review.

Which property and dependencies need to be described?

Leased instruments, tenant improvements, and biological materials may raise different valuation and coverage questions. Identify equipment owned by the business and property belonging to others before comparing a proposed schedule with the laboratory lease.

Wording to review

• Equipment values and responsibility for leased instruments
• Biological materials and any special valuation provisions
• Equipment breakdown, temperature change, and utility interruption terms
• Business interruption wording and dependencies on another facility

Bring to the discussion

Build an equipment schedule by location and note any storage conditions. Record what would stop if the equipment or premises became unavailable; do not assume replacement cost captures interrupted research.

Cyber liability

Map the information before completing the application. Patient data, study records, and outside technology providers create different questions about access and interruption.

Where does sensitive information move or depend on a vendor?

Describe the systems used to store records, exchange results, and operate the business. A provider agreement can contain notification obligations or security statements that need to be checked against actual controls and the proposed insurance terms.

Wording to review

• Privacy liability and incident-response provisions
• Business interruption and dependent-system wording
• Security controls represented in the application
• Exclusions, sublimits, and requirements for using response providers

Bring to the discussion

Bring a high-level system and vendor list. Identify who can confirm access controls and recovery practices. Do not share passwords, identifiable health information, or raw research datasets.