Which privacy law applies to my BC business?

Most private-sector businesses operating only in BC fall under BC's Personal Information Protection Act. Personal information that moves across provincial or national borders can also bring in the federal PIPEDA.

Is E&O the same as general liability?

No. General liability covers physical injury and property damage. E&O covers financial loss your clients suffer because of your professional work. Most consultants need both.

My client wants cyber coverage. What should I ask for?

Ask the client for their exact requirement, usually a minimum limit covering third-party liability and breach response. Send it to your broker so the policy wording matches the contract.

British Columbia trade insurance

Insurance for Professional & Consulting Services in British Columbia

E&O, cyber, and general liability for BC consultants, agencies, and tech firms. Licensed BC brokers compete for your account.

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Professional & Consulting Services in British Columbia illustration

Commercial Liability & Risk Guide for Professional & Consulting Services in British Columbia

Vancouver and Victoria have large tech, film, and consulting sectors, and contracts in those industries often require errors and omissions and cyber coverage before work starts. British Columbia also has its own private-sector privacy law, the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), which applies to how most BC businesses handle personal information. A data breach can mean notification costs, legal fees, and claims from clients. QuoteMatch sends your application to licensed BC brokers who can compare E&O and cyber options side by side.

Risks specific to British Columbia

Working in British Columbia brings its own climate, market, and regulatory risks:

Client claims for financial loss from advice, code, or deliverables.
Data breaches involving client or customer personal information.
Contracts that require specific E&O and cyber limits before you can bill.
Office lease requirements for general liability.

Rules and requirements to know

Insurers and clients in British Columbia will expect you to meet these:

BC Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) for private-sector privacy.
Federal PIPEDA for personal information that crosses provincial or national borders.
Professional body insurance requirements for regulated professions.

Example claim

How a claim could happen

“A Vancouver software consultancy ships an update that corrupts a client's order data during a busy sales week.”

How coverage respondsThe consultancy's E&O policy handles its defence and the negotiated settlement for the client's lost revenue.

Official resources

Professional & Consulting Services in other provinces

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Common questions: Professional & Consulting Services in British Columbia

Which privacy law applies to my BC business?: Most private-sector businesses operating only in BC fall under BC's Personal Information Protection Act. Personal information that moves across provincial or national borders can also bring in the federal PIPEDA.
Is E&O the same as general liability?: No. General liability covers physical injury and property damage. E&O covers financial loss your clients suffer because of your professional work. Most consultants need both.
My client wants cyber coverage. What should I ask for?: Ask the client for their exact requirement, usually a minimum limit covering third-party liability and breach response. Send it to your broker so the policy wording matches the contract.