How Remote Consultations Can Lead to MPL Claims

Posted on: August 25, 2025 by Huntersure

The remote consulting field has surged since the pandemic, with more professionals entering the space and delivering services online. Meanwhile, buyers have grown increasingly comfortable making big decisions virtually — McKinsey reports that 70% of business-to-business decision makers are willing to spend more than $50,000 in remote or self-serve transactions, and over a quarter would commit more than $500,000. 

This shift creates both opportunity and exposure. When client interactions occur digitally, even small miscommunications can escalate into claims scenarios for miscellaneous professional liability. For insurance agents, this shift means guiding clients through new liability exposures that may not be immediately obvious.

Where Virtual Client Meetings Often Break Down

Even the most skilled professionals can run into trouble when interactions happen through screens instead of in person. The risks multiply when expectations aren’t clearly documented or timelines shift without acknowledgment. These scenarios span industries — from media firms to property managers — and demonstrate how fragile trust becomes without the grounding of clear, documented exchanges. Here are some potential vulnerabilities.

Unclear Project Scopes

A consultant might assume the client understood the boundaries of a project. However, without a clearly defined scope, disagreements over “what’s included” are inevitable. In service industries, projects with vague scopes are far more likely to fail or face legal issues.

Undocumented Recommendations

Verbal advice given during video calls can later be contested. If a client acts on something never confirmed in writing, they may allege negligence if the outcome doesn’t meet expectations.

Overpromised Results

A marketing advisor might guarantee “placement in top media outlets,” only to have the client interpret that promise differently — or expect results that weren’t realistically achievable. When service providers oversell outcomes in digital settings, even unintentionally, it leaves room for allegations of negligence or misrepresentation.

Missed Deadlines Due to Asynchronous Communication

In digital work, delayed responses can snowball into project setbacks. Clients may claim financial loss if deliverables don’t arrive as agreed.

When a Small Misstep Becomes an MPL Claim

Not every dispute stems from outright negligence. In fact, many claims arise from perceived failures or misunderstandings. Consider the following examples:

• A consultant misunderstood deliverables. A strategy advisor delivered a report with broad recommendations, but the client expected detailed implementation steps. The gap led to financial losses and a claim of inadequate performance.
• A media firm is accused of unfair competition. Poorly worded advice during a campaign led to a client alleging the firm’s recommendations put them in violation of fair advertising rules. Even without wrongdoing, the firm must defend against the allegation.
• A property manager failed to document vendor instructions. A repair order was handled verbally with no follow-up. When the repair went wrong, the client pursued the manager for negligence.

In each case, miscellaneous professional liability may respond not only to actual errors but also to allegations. That distinction is vital — coverage protects professionals even when the truth lies in a gray area.

Helping Clients Reduce MPL Claims

Insurance should always be the backstop, but proactive communication practices can help prevent claims from arising in the first place. Agents can recommend best practices such as:

• Using digital documentation platforms: Encourage clients to record meetings and capture every consultation detail.
• Reiterating advice in follow-up emails: Written confirmation helps eliminate ambiguity and creates a record of advice given.
• Clarifying the scope of services in writing: Spell out deliverables, exclusions, and timelines in contracts signed by both parties.
• Establishing clear timelines and responsibilities: Define who is accountable for what and by when.

Even with best practices, disputes can surface. That’s why professional liability insurance programs remain indispensable.

Make Huntersure Your Go-To for Digital-Era MPL

Huntersure understands that digital-first business models create unique exposures that require professional liability insurance programs designed with these nuances in mind. Huntersure provides:

• Fast, knowledgeable underwriting for complex, non-regulated professionals
• Tailored MPL coverage that reflects the realities of hybrid and remote consulting
• Claims support with experience in “gray area” allegations, where intent isn’t always clear

Remote consultations may feel intangible, but the liabilities are quite real. Huntersure gives agents the tools and coverage options clients need to navigate this landscape with confidence. Reach out for a quote, and learn how Huntersure’s MPL solutions can help.

FAQ About Claims Scenarios for Miscellaneous Professional Liability

What are the most common virtual communication risks?

Missed deadlines, unclear project instructions, undocumented verbal agreements, and shifting deliverables are among the top risks in virtual consultations.

What does professional liability insurance cover for professionals?

It may cover claims of negligence, misrepresentation, or failure to deliver promised services. In digital settings, coverage often extends to disputes arising from communication lapses.

Is professional liability the same as errors and omissions?

Yes. For most industries, especially non-regulated service providers, the terms are interchangeable.

ABOUT HUNTERSURE

Huntersure LLC is a full-service Managing General Agency that has provided insurance program administration for professional liability products to our partners across the United States since 2007. We specialize in providing insurance solutions for businesses of all sizes. Our program features can cover small firms (grossing $2.5 million annually) to large corporations (grossing $25 million annually or more). We make doing business with us easy with our breadth and depth of knowledge of E&O insurance, our proprietary underwriting system that allows for responsive quoting, binding, and policy issuance and tailored products to meet the needs of your insureds. Give us a call at (855) 585-6255 to learn more.

Posted in: Consultants Professional Liability Professional Liability Insurance

Tagged: claims scenarios for miscellaneous professional liability