Why do holistic therapists need insurance?
Holistic therapists face various risks, including accusations of causing injury, property damage, or professional misconduct. Here's why insurance is crucial:
Claims of causing harm
A client might claim your therapy caused an injury or didn't provide the expected benefits, leading to financial demands.
Accidental client injury
Incidents like clients falling off a table or tripping over equipment can result in compensation claims.
Accusations of inappropriate conduct
Close physical contact during treatments might lead to misunderstandings or accusations.
Failure in duty of care
Overlooking a client’s medical condition could result in providing inappropriate treatment.
Professional indemnity (treatment liability) insurance for holistic therapists
Professional indemnity insurance, otherwise known as treatment liability insurance, is a key cover for holistic therapists. Your job is to make your clients feel better which requires treatment and advice. Both can lead to a potential claim against you.
What does holistic therapy professional indemnity Insurance cover?
Professional indemnity insurance protects holistic therapists from claims or accusations of wrongdoing related to their professional advice. Coverage includes:
Cover includes:
- Failing your duty of care
- Making a mistake
- Acting negligently
- Giving the wrong advice or recommendation
For example, you may be facing financial demands from a client because:
- Your treatment caused a health issue
- Your advice made an existing issue worse
- Your client blames you for the side effects of the therapy received
Switching your professional indemnity insurance
When switching your professional indemnity policy, ensure your past work is covered by obtaining retroactive cover. Without it, you cannot make claims against your previous policy.
Maintaining professional indemnity insurance if you pause or stop your holistic therapy activities
It's prudent to maintain professional indemnity insurance even if you stop your holistic therapy practice, as claims can arise long after the treatment. Decide how long to keep your coverage based on the nature of your work and the likelihood of potential claims.
Public liability insurance for holistic therapists
Holistic therapists meet members of the public and are in constant physical contact with clients; this means there is always a risk of accidents.
What does holistic therapy public liability insurance cover?
Public liability insurance covers risks associated with face-to-face interactions with clients.
Cover includes:
- accidental injury or death
- accidental property damage
For example:
- A client who visits your premises gets injured in a slip or fall and is demanding that you pay compensation.
- During your visit to a client's home, an accident occurs and you’re blamed for the consequences which could be property damage or an injury.
Tips for holistic therapists
Having both public liability and professional indemnity insurance offers peace of mind, but you can further protect yourself by:
- Thorough client assessment: Before treating a client, gather detailed information about their health, allergies, and reasons for seeking therapy.
- Clear communication: Document and explain your treatment plan and its limitations to ensure the client’s understanding and consent.
- Ongoing client feedback: Regularly check in with your client during the session to ensure comfort and avoid causing pain.
- Professional judgement: Trust your instincts. If a client’s needs exceed your expertise, refer them elsewhere rather than risk inadequate treatment.
By securing the right insurance and following these best practices, you can safeguard your holistic & alternative therapy practice against potential risks and claims.
Shopping for holistic therapist insurance
Whether or not you decide to use Suited holistic therapist insurance to protect your business, it’s worth keeping the following in mind:
Cheap holistic therapist insurance
While a competitive price is always welcome when buying insurance for holistic therapists, don't choose a product just because it's cheap. When the price is too low, you'll need to take extra care to read the small print, especially what is excluded and what would happen if you had a claim.
The insurer's reputation is important
Insurance needs to be there when you need it most. The payout reputation of an insurer is essential. Suited uses financially sound insurers with an A+ rating.
Many providers charge fees to amend or cancel
Low initial prices often hide additional charges to pay monthly, amend or cancel your policy. At Suited, we charge no extra fees, and you can cancel anytime with no more to pay.
Some policy wordings are restrictive or have a high excess
Some providers will offer attractive prices, but it is at the expense of cover given. Suited professional indemnity and public liability have £0 excess.
