You can reduce your risk in many ways. Some key risk reduction techniques include maintaining well-documented files of all transactions with your clients, never interpreting conditions of the property—leave that to the professionals, and always recommending a professional home inspection and warranty to your clients. Pearl also provides extensive risk management tools and services to help real estate professionals effectively minimize their legal liability. These include monthly Risk Managers and various articles addressing issues you and your firm face on a daily basis.

Pearl has developed many innovative rate credit features to help you reduce your E&O premium, including:

• Attend Risk Management Seminars. Not only will you learn why risk management is important to your firm, but we'll also provide you with 12 key risk management techniques you can begin implementing that same day.
• Maintain an Office Procedures Manual. A good training manual will not only help new real estate professionals acclimate to the field, but seasoned agents will also benefit from having a standard set of procedures in place to help ensure compliance in all client transactions.
• Offer Home Warranties. By offering your clients a home warranty at the time of purchase, you are shifting some of the risk to the warranty company for possible problems that could arise with the house that first year.
• Earn Professional Designations. If 15% of your firm earns professional designations, you will be eligible for additional premium credits.
• Use standard forms from local and state REALTOR^® associations. By using standard forms from local REALTOR^® boards, you can eliminate some risk factors by making sure your transaction forms and documentation are complete and up to par.

Your firm will be given an initial base rate that is determined by state-by-state experience. From there, the rate is modified to reflect a number of risk factors, including the individual characteristics of your firm, past claims experience, risk management practices, the number of professionals you need to cover, and the limits, deductible, and breadth of coverage you request.

Since 1979, Pearl has been one of the nation's leading providers of Errors & Omissions Insurance. In fact, we were among the first to offer a truly successful professional liability program customized for the unique needs of real estate professionals. Today, our program is sponsored by over 40 national, state, and local real estate associations. Our program—underwritten by the "A" rated (by A.M. Best) XL Insurance companies (through Greenwich Insurance Company and Indian Harbor Insurance Company)—offers one of the most comprehensive E&O coverages in the marketplace. And our commitment of working hard, working smart, and working together ensures that we will not only continually bring you the best products and services available, but also equip you with the right tools and support to maintain your competitive edge.

Whether you're new to the real estate industry or have been in the business for years, the risks you face every day make you a prime target for lawsuits. Over the past two decades, your chances of being sued have risen dramatically. Even if your name is cleared, the time taken away from your business, money spent on defense, and added stress of handling the situation can prove to be taxing. That's why choosing an Errors & Omissions program that meets the needs and budget of your firm is essential. E&O Insurance helps ease the burden by responding to, defending, and sharing the monetary risks for whatever claims are brought against you.