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Canada’s Leading A&E Insurance Team

Axis Insurance serves over 500 architecture and engineering clients throughout Canada, giving us an in-depth understanding of your unique insurance needs, service agreements, and obligations to your clients. Our expertise is specifically tailored to meet the complex demands and responsibilities of your projects in the A&E sector. We recognize that each client face a complex balancing act of fostering creativity, adhering to best practices, accommodating client adjustments and budget constraints, all while effectively managing risk.

We understand the distinct challenges that come with your team’s collaborative work, such as design errors, construction hurdles, and prolonged exposure. Axis is well versed in these areas and is committed to offering bespoke risk management and insurance solutions that safeguard your firm’s reputation and assets, enabling you to lean into future growth.

Our team of A&E insurance specialists leads the design professional liability insurance market in Canada.

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Our Focus,
Your Advantage.

1

Exclusive Access To Specialist Insurers

Gain access to North America’s leading global professional liability carriers for architects and engineers. Exclusively by Axis Insurance in British Columbia for over 30 years.

2

Complimentary Contract Reviews

Risk starts at “hello” – that first email or documentation of offering. Manage your risk throughout the client lifecycle by starting with the contractual requirements. Let us elucidate your exposure before a small technicality becomes a contractual iceberg; with our complimentary contract reviews. Manage risk through every stage of the client lifecycle, starting with contracts.

3

Constant Support, Education, & Collaboration

Our focus is your advantage. We offer quarterly webinars, documented guides and information, examples of avoidable claims, and phone/email support to answer your questions.

4

Pre-claim Advice & Advocacy

Wherever possible, we help you to avoid insurance claims and drawn out legal proceedings. Proactive management of small issues may help avoid the countless hours, lost revenue, and ensuing reputational damage of a legal battle. Our clients contact us the moment a potential issue becomes evident.

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LEADING OUR A&E TEAM

Rob McLeod

Rob leads our Architects & Engineers sales team at Axis, bringing over 15 years of experience in the insurance industry, specializing in delivering exceptional risk management solutions to professionals in the financial services sector, including architects, engineers, lending firms, realtors, and lawyers. Since joining Axis Insurance in 2013, he has been pivotal in guiding clients through their unique and complex risk landscapes.

As a Chartered Insurance Professional and Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker, Rob’s expertise is enhanced by his involvement with the ACEC-BC Business Practice Committee and the Professional Liability Agents Network board of directors. He brings a wealth of industry-specific insights and connections to his role at Axis. His profound understanding of commercial risk management, particularly in business interruption and liability, is tailored to meet the unique needs of the design and construction industries. Rob embodies Axis’s mission to transform risks into opportunities for growth by providing forward-thinking insurance solutions customized to each client’s specific needs.

In 2024, Rob was awarded the PAL Insurance Brokers Award for Young Achiever of the Year, and became President of the Professional Liability Agents Network (PLAN) – the largest network of brokers in North America serving the design professional industry.

    Learn more about Rob

    Warren McDonald

    Warren brings nine years of industry experience as an Account Executive at Axis Insurance, specializing in providing tailored insurance solutions for regulated professionals. Since joining the team in 2016, he has focused on offering comprehensive risk management strategies that empower clients to embrace uncertainty and build their businesses confidently.

    Holding a Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) designation, Warren is an active member of the Professional Liability Agents Network (PLAN). He consistently shares insights and collaborates with peers to stay at the forefront of industry trends, ensuring his clients receive the most innovative and reliable advice. He firmly believes in guiding clients to leverage risk as a catalyst for success, fostering open and proactive dialogue to identify their unique needs and develop strategies that help them grow and thrive.

      Nicholas Pietras

      Nicholas brings over 20 years of expertise in Professional Liability insurance for Architects and Engineers. Since 2004, he has served as a broker and underwriter across British Columbia and Ontario, specializing in managing complex risks within the professional services sector.

      Nicholas holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Windsor, an MBA from Griffith University, and is a Chartered Insurance Professional. His deep understanding of risk enables him to provide strategic guidance and innovative solutions, empowering clients to navigate uncertainty confidently and drive business growth.

        Mike Russell

        Mike brings over 40 years of experience in the insurance industry and has been serving as Executive Vice President at Axis Insurance since 1993. Specializing in professional liability for architects, engineers, and environmental consultants, he possesses a deep understanding of the complexities and unique risk landscapes facing A&E firms, making him a trusted source for risk management within the A&E community.

        As a Chartered Insurance Professional and an active member of both the Professional Liability Agents Network (PLAN) and the Insurance Brokers Association of B.C. (IBABC), Mike’s insights are both broad and deeply nuanced, ensuring comprehensive risk solutions for our clients. He has led numerous seminars on loss prevention and risk management, focusing on educating professionals to transform potential risks into opportunities for innovation and growth.

          Shaun Booker

          Shaun Booker brings over 30 years of expertise in professional liability insurance for architects and engineers. She has dedicated her career to understanding the complexities of risk within design and construction, crafting tailored insurance strategies that protect her clients’ innovative projects.

          Shaun’s extensive experience throughout Eastern Canada equips her to provide robust risk management strategies, enabling clients to confidently pursue transformative projects. Her commitment to safeguarding clients’ ambitions not only supports their growth but strengthens their ability to tackle complex projects with assurance.

            Insurance Solutions

            Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance is crucial for professionals across various industries who provide advice, designs, or services. It acts as a safeguard against claims of negligence or errors that could potentially lead to financial losses for your clients. With E&O coverage, your business is protected even when the unexpected happens, ensuring you can continue operations without the burden of costly legal fees.

            At Axis Insurance, we understand that every professional service firm has unique risks and needs. Our E&O policies are designed to be as dynamic as the industries we serve. Whether you’re an architect facing complex project demands, an accountant juggling sensitive data, or a realtor managing numerous property transactions, our tailored solutions help mitigate risks so you can focus on driving your business forward confidently.

              Directors and Officers Liability Insurance is crucial for protecting the personal assets of corporate directors and officers from lawsuits alleging they mismanaged the company. This coverage is essential for any firm, providing financial protection against claims that may arise from decisions and actions taken within the scope of their managerial duties. It covers legal fees, settlements, and judgments, which can be financially devastating without appropriate coverage.

              D&O liability insurance is not just about protecting personal wealth; it also safeguards the company’s financial health by covering the indemnifications that a company might provide to its directors and officers as part of its bylaws. The policy can respond to a variety of claims, including breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, wrongful acts, and errors that lead to financial losses or reputational damage to stakeholders. This coverage is particularly important in today’s litigious environment, where decision-makers are increasingly held accountable for their actions.

              Moreover, having a robust D&O policy can help attract high-quality talent to leadership positions, as it provides them security against potential litigation risks associated with overseeing business operations. For businesses in the professional and financial services sector, where decisions often involve substantial sums of money and significant regulatory scrutiny, D&O insurance is an indispensable part of a comprehensive risk management strategy. It not only provides peace of mind to executives but also enhances the firm’s credibility and stability by protecting its leaders.

                Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance is essential for safeguarding your business against a wide range of risks. This foundational coverage protects against claims of bodily injury, property damage, and personal and advertising injury that can arise during your operations.

                With CGL from Axis Insurance, you ensure that both the unforeseen incidents and the everyday risks are managed effectively, preventing these potential liabilities from disrupting your business.

                At Axis Insurance, we tailor our CGL policies to the specific needs of professional services firms. Whether you’re an engineer with onsite requirements, an accountant hosting client meetings, or a real estate agent showcasing properties, our CGL coverage is designed to offer peace of mind. We empower you to conduct your business with confidence, knowing that you’re backed by robust and responsive insurance coverage that aligns with your professional landscape.

                  Cyber insurance is an indispensable safeguard in today’s digital age, where data breaches and cyber threats are increasingly common. This coverage is designed to protect businesses from the financial and reputational damage associated with cyber incidents. With our cyber policies, your firm is equipped to respond to everything from data breaches and system hacks to ransomware attacks, ensuring continuous protection of your critical digital assets.

                  The threat of cyber attacks is escalating, with the potential to severely impact businesses through corrupted systems, data loss, and the need for costly website redevelopment. Beyond the immediate disruption, a data breach can impose substantial legal obligations on Canadian firms. National regulations require businesses to notify affected individuals and regulatory bodies, conduct thorough investigations, and take remedial actions—all of which can be financially burdensome. Axis Insurance’s Cyber coverage not only helps cover these costs but also supports compliance with these legal mandates, safeguarding your firm’s reputation and financial stability in the face of cyber adversity.

                  At Axis, we recognize the unique cyber risks faced by design professionals. Our Cyber insurance solutions are crafted to address these specific vulnerabilities, providing not just recovery support, but proactive risk management tools to enhance your cybersecurity posture.

                    Learn more about Cyber

                    Property coverage is essential for protecting the physical assets of your business from unexpected events such as fire, theft, and natural disasters. This comprehensive insurance is designed to cover the repair or replacement costs of your business facilities, equipment, and inventory, ensuring minimal disruption to your operations.

                    With Axis Insurance, you can trust that your property is safeguarded, allowing you to focus on what you do best without the worry of potential physical losses.

                    Axis Insurance tailors its Property coverage solutions to meet the specific demands of professional services firms. Whether you operate in a high-tech office, manage extensive archives of sensitive documents, or house valuable engineering tools, our policies are crafted to address the unique risks associated with your assets. We provide robust protection that not only helps recover from immediate damages but also supports the long-term resilience and growth of your business.

                      Our Architect & Engineer Insurance Team

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                      Specialist Partnerships

                      The Professional Liability Agents Network (PLAN) is a select group of insurance agencies from across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico, specializing in risk management strategies for architects and engineers.

                      With more than 50 years of experience and thousands of design clients, the AXA XL Design Professional team provides flexible, tailored insurance solutions that protect A&E design firms.