What is the primary role of errors and omissions insurance?

Errors and omissions insurance is primarily designed to protect professionals against claims of negligence, inadequate work, or mistakes that occur during the provision of professional services. This type of insurance is particularly crucial for individuals in service-based industries, such as real estate agents, lawyers, and consultants, where the potential for errors can lead to significant financial losses for clients.

The correct choice indicates that the insurance serves to safeguard against accidental violations of professional duties, ensuring that if an error occurs during service delivery, the professional has coverage to address the claim. This aspect of protection is essential because it helps maintain the financial stability of the insured while also providing peace of mind to clients who rely on their expertise.

In contrast, the other options focus on different areas of protection that are not the primary function of errors and omissions insurance. Covering property losses pertains to property insurance, ensuring contract compliance relates to aspects of contract law and enforcement, and general liability protection involves coverage for a broader range of risks, such as bodily injury and property damage that do not specifically address professional errors. Each of these areas is important in its own right but does not capture the essence of what errors and omissions insurance was specifically designed to cover.