Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Professional Liability & Environmental Liability Insurance for Design Professionals
Terra Insurance has been a trusted partner in professional liability and environmental liability insurance since 1968. As the nation's second oldest professional liability insurer, we specialize in providing tailored coverage for geoprofessional and environmental engineering firms. Our unique risk retention group structure, established in 1988, allows policyholders to become owner/insureds, creating a partnership model that prioritizes long-term value and shared success. With over 50 years of actuarial experience, we offer customized insurance solutions backed by proactive risk management strategies, including contract review services, peer review programs, and professional education reimbursement.Our commitment to innovation is demonstrated through pioneering products like Active Remediation Management coverage and Toxic Mold/Biological Pollutants insurance. Headquartered in Corte Madera, California, we maintain an 'A, Excellent' AM Best rating while delivering 100 consecutive quarters of earnings and 25 years of book value growth per share. Our team of industry experts works directly with policyholders to develop risk mitigation strategies that reduce claims frequency and enhance profitability through education, technical support, and personalized service.
Services
Professional Liability Insurance
Environmental Liability Insurance
Active Remediation Management
Engineer-Led Design Build
Toxic Mold Coverage
Contract Review Services
Peer Review Programs
Risk Management Training
Claims Management
Education Reimbursement
Details
- Year established: 1968
Highlights and features
- We operate as a risk retention group owned by policyholders for shared success
- We invest in professional development programs that reduce insurance costs
- Our contract review specialists deliver responses within 24 hours
- We offer specialized coverage for environmental remediation and toxic mold
- We maintain 100 consecutive quarters of financial profitability
Associations and certifications
- A. M. Best
What people say
Proactive risk management
Personalized service
Investment returns
Contract review support
Education programs
Services
Professional Liability Insurance
Terra's Professional Liability Insurance protects design professionals against claims arising from actual or alleged negligent acts, errors, or omissions in their professional services. Our policies are built on nearly 50 years of claims experience and cover breaches of standard care expectations in engineering practice. This coverage extends to legal defense costs and damages resulting from professional service failures.
Environmental Liability Insurance
Our Environmental Liability Insurance provides comprehensive protection for claims involving wetlands, asbestos, toxic waste, and other hazardous material exposures. Coverage includes damages from pollutant releases, failure to detect contaminants, and environmental remediation liabilities. This policy addresses both third-party claims and cleanup costs associated with environmental incidents.
Active Remediation Management
ARM coverage protects engineers managing environmental remediation projects where they direct contractors for hazardous waste cleanup. This specialized policy covers both design and contracting exposures when engineers transition from consultant to implementation roles. It addresses site safety, construction methods, and contractor management liabilities during remediation processes.
Engineer-Led Design Build
ELDB coverage insures engineers who oversee construction projects beyond traditional consulting roles, including landslide remediation and infrastructure development. The policy protects against liabilities arising from contractor direction, construction techniques, and site safety management while maintaining core design professional protections.
Toxic Mold Coverage
Terra's Toxic Mold and Biological Pollutants coverage extends protection to firms investigating or remediating mold conditions. This policy addresses liabilities from inadequate assessment, improper remediation, or exacerbation of mold problems during engineering services. It provides critical protection for environmental consultants and remediation specialists.
People
David L. J. Coduto
President and Chief Executive Officer
David Coduto has served as Terra's President and CEO since 1989, overseeing 100 consecutive profitable quarters. With a background in audit and financial consulting, he was instrumental in forming Terra's risk retention group structure in 1988 and has led the company's growth while maintaining its 'A, Excellent' AM Best rating.
Hal S. Arditti
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
Hal Arditti joined Terra in 1987 and has served as CFO since 1990. He brings extensive financial expertise from his prior roles at Arthur Andersen and CP National Corporation. He manages Terra's financial operations and has contributed to the company's 25 consecutive years of book value growth per share.
Lisa Dyson Gamblin
Vice President for Claim Administration and Risk Management
Lisa Gamblin leads Terra's claims management and risk prevention services. A former attorney specializing in insurance coverage, she has over 15 years of experience in professional liability claims and contract review. She manages Terra's loss prevention programs and policyholder education initiatives.
Questions
What makes Terra's insurance model unique?
Terra operates as a risk retention group owned by its policyholders, creating a partnership where premiums are invested back into the business rather than being lost to traditional insurance structures.
What types of insurance does Terra offer?
Terra provides professional liability insurance, environmental liability insurance, Active Remediation Management coverage, and Toxic Mold/Biological Pollutants insurance tailored specifically for design professionals.
Does Terra offer risk management services?
Yes, Terra provides comprehensive risk management services including contract review, peer review programs, loss prevention advisories, and professional education reimbursement to reduce claims frequency.
How does Terra support policyholder education?
Terra invests heavily in professional development through reimbursement programs, educational grants, and technical training initiatives like the Fundamentals of Professional Practice.
What geographic areas does Terra cover?
Terra provides worldwide coverage for professional services across multiple marketplaces, with particular expertise in serving engineering firms throughout North America.
How does Terra handle claims management?
Terra offers dedicated claims management services with experienced professionals who work proactively to mitigate potential issues and provide comprehensive support during claims situations.
