The different types of therapist insurance: what you need to know

Therapists can choose from several types of cover depending on their work. This article outlines the main options – including professional liability insurance, public liability cover and cyber insurance – and how to decide what’s right for you.

Therapists face a number of risks as part of their services, including liability claims from customers, equipment damage and legal disputes. Having insurance in place gives therapists peace of mind that they’ll be covered in the event of a claim or dispute.

Therapist insurance policies can include a range of liability covers, including public liability, product liability, employers liability, and libel and slander.

Public liability insurance covers claims for third-party injuries or property damage caused by your practice.

Professional indemnity insurance protects you against claims of negligence, poor advice or misconduct.

Employers’ liability insurance is a legal requirement if you employ staff as part of your UK therapy business. It covers you against legal costs for claims for workplace injuries and illnesses.

Personal accident cover provides financial protection if you suffer a workplace injury.

Legal expenses cover offers legal helpline access and defence costs if your therapy business is involved in a legal dispute.

If you practice abroad, you can still take out therapists' insurance, though conditions will apply. Therapists' insurance from Everywhen for example provides cover for you to work outside of the UK on a temporary visit not exceeding 60 consecutive calendar days, as long as you permanently reside in the UK.

Note that cover is excluded for any action brought in any court of The United States or Canada.

If a director, employee or self-employed freelancer contracted to your business steals from your client, dishonesty cover for therapists can protect your business against legal claims.

When you stop trading, have a career break or perhaps it is time to retire, there is still the chance that a claim may arise from  work that you  completed in the past. Even if unfounded, any claim for breach of professional duty will cost you money to defend.

Therefore, it is important that you arrange professional indemnity cover for past work  after you have ceased trading. This is known as professional indemnity run off cover. Therapists' insurance from Everywhen provides this cover automatically for up to 36 months after you cease trading.

We can source specialist, speedy liability cover for therapy practitioners and a 24-hour legal helpline.

Start a therapists insurance quote online or call us on 0330 123 5810.

Consistent with our policy when giving comment and advice on a non-specific basis, we cannot assume legal responsibility for the accuracy of any particular statement. In the case of specific problems, we recommend that professional advice be sought.