Grenfell: The Lasting Impact on Architects and Professional Indemnity Insurance

The tragic Grenfell Tower fire in 2017 marked a watershed moment for the architecture and construction sectors in the UK. Beyond its devastating human toll, the incident exposed serious shortcomings in building safety practices—particularly around the use of combustible cladding materials.

For architects, the implications have been far-reaching.

Accountability and Regulation: A New Era for Architects

The fire highlighted critical failures in recognising and mitigating fire risks, including oversight by the architecture firm involved. In response, regulatory scrutiny has intensified, with architects now facing far greater accountability for ensuring fire safety compliance.

Today, those working on high-rise or complex buildings must ensure:

  • All materials used comply with stricter fire safety standards
  • Full transparency and traceability of design and material decisions
  • Collaboration with fire engineers and compliance teams at every stage of a project

These changes are reshaping how architects approach design—bringing greater diligence, but also added professional risk.

The PI Insurance Fallout

In the years following Grenfell, Professional Indemnity (PI) insurance premiums for architects surged. Many insurers exited the market or imposed restrictive exclusions, especially for work involving cladding or high-rise residential buildings.

Architects faced:

  • Higher premiums
  • Reduced cover or exclusions on fire safety-related work
  • Tougher underwriting scrutiny

Insurers, understandably, became more risk-averse, viewing architectural design as a higher-liability profession post-Grenfell.

Signs of a Market Shift: Returning Capacity and Softer Rates

The good news? The PI insurance market is beginning to soften. More insurers are re-entering the space, bringing increased competition and improved terms for architectural practices.

At LBH Insurance, we're now helping clients access:

  • More competitive PI premiums
  • Wider cover, including reduced exclusions for cladding-related work
  • Bespoke policy wording tailored to individual risk profiles

Need a Quote? We're Here to Help

If you're an architect navigating today's evolving insurance landscape, our team of PI specialists is here to help you take advantage of the improved market conditions.

Call us on 01702 347889 for a no-obligation, competitive quote—and peace of mind that your cover reflects both your risk and your reputation or email enquiries@lbhinsurance.co.uk.