Real estate agent insurance starts with errors and omissions.
What E&O covers, how it fits with your brokerage’s policy, and what open houses and a home office add to the picture.
Quick answer: Errors and omissions insurance is the core policy for most real estate agents, covering claims that a mistake or missed disclosure cost a client money. Agents and brokerages also look at general liability for open houses and offices.
Most claims against agents are about advice and paperwork, not slips and falls. That is why errors and omissions comes first. General liability and office coverage matter too, particularly for teams and brokerages with their own space.
What real estate professionals commonly carry
Who buys each one depends on whether you are an agent, a team lead or a broker.
| Coverage | Covers | Question for your broker |
|---|---|---|
| Errors and omissions | Claims of mistakes, missed disclosures or negligence | Brokerage policy vs. your own |
| General liability | Injuries at open houses or your office | Covers showings at listed homes? |
| Business property | Office furniture, computers, signs | Home office limits on personal policies |
| Cyber liability | Wire fraud and data breaches | Social engineering coverage |
| Workers' compensation | Injuries to employees, such as assistants | Employees vs. contractors |
| Commercial auto | Driving clients and business use | Business use on your auto policy |
The line between an E&O claim and everything else
Often covered by E&O
- A client says you missed a disclosure
- A dispute over contract paperwork
- Defense costs for covered claims
- Claims that surface after closing, if reported in time
- Licensing board complaints, on some policies
Often outside E&O
- Injuries at an open house (general liability)
- Wire fraud losses, unless cyber is added
- Fraud or intentional acts
- Car accidents while showing homes (auto)
- Claims from before your coverage began, without prior acts coverage
Three ways agents end up covered
Ask your broker which one applies to you.
Brokerage E&O
Many brokerages carry an E&O policy that extends to their agents, sometimes with a fee or deductible charged back to the agent.
Individual E&O
Agents who are not covered by a brokerage policy, or who want their own limits, buy a policy in their own name.
Business Owners Policy
Brokerages with an office often use a BOP for general liability and office property.
Licensing and local taxes vary
State licensing rules and city business taxes apply to agents differently from employees. The local guides cover them.
What real estate agents ask us about insurance.
What insurance do real estate agents need?
Errors and omissions is the main policy, whether through your brokerage or in your own name. General liability, cyber coverage and business use on your auto policy are common additions.
Does my brokerage's E&O cover me?
Often, but not always, and terms differ. Ask your broker for the policy limits, deductible and who pays it if a claim names you.
What is prior acts coverage?
It covers claims from work done before your current policy began. Agents switching brokerages or policies look at it to avoid a gap.
Is wire fraud covered by E&O?
Usually not. Losses from fraudulent wire instructions are typically addressed by cyber or crime coverage with social engineering protection.
Do I need general liability for open houses?
E&O does not cover a visitor who trips at an open house. General liability does, and some brokerages carry it for their agents.
How is E&O for agents priced?
Insurers look at transaction volume, the types of property you handle, years licensed, claims history and the limits and deductible you choose.
NPN #20649362 · Rock Meadow Insurance Services · Last updated November 2026
Know what your brokerage covers, and what it doesn't.
Transaction volume, years licensed and your brokerage setup shape what an E&O quote looks like.