Why do hypnotherapists need insurance?
As a hypnotherapist, you embrace and use alternative therapy to help your clients. However, even the best intentions can sometimes lead to a problem.
Treatment mistakes
Perhaps you pushed too far and made your client uncomfortable. They are now claiming that you caused them harm and demand compensation.
Accidents during a home visit
Many hypnotherapists work from home or visit their clients' homes. Slips and falls can happen to anyone but should you be blamed for an injury, you will need your insurers’ help to protect yourself.
Your hypnotherapy didn’t work
A client may demand compensation because they allege that your hypnotherapy has not produced the desired results.
Failing your duty of care
As a hypnotherapist, you look after the wellbeing of your clients. Dropping the ball can happen to everyone, such as checking your client’s history thoroughly before providing treatment. Sometimes a client may decide to sue if they believe they suffered harm as a result of your work.
Professional indemnity insurance for hypnotherapists
Professional indemnity insurance covers the cost of defending you against allegations of professional negligence, such as giving your client incorrect advice or failing your duty of care. This insurance is a necessity for hypnotherapists.
What does professional indemnity insurance for hypnotherapists cover?
Professional indemnity insurance protects hypnotherapists from claims or accusations of wrongdoing resulting from their professional advice.
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 allegedly caused harm
- Your advice may have made your client’s condition worse
- Your attitude or conduct is called into question
What professional indemnity limit do hypnotherapists need?
Private clients typically don’t insist on a certain level of insurance thus you will need to decide the appropriate level of cover based on what you do and your client types.
If you are buying hypnotherapist insurance for the first time, consider the extent of your work, the problems you treat and think of the worst-case scenarios, should your treatment fail. What would be the estimated costs to put your mistakes right?
Switching your professional indemnity insurance
If you’re shopping around and possibly considering leaving your current insurer, remember that you may no longer make claims against that policy.
If you change your insurance provider, ensure your past work is covered under your new policy. This is called “retroactive cover”.
Should I keep professional indemnity insurance if I stop providing hypnotherapy?
It’s wise to keep your professional indemnity if you pause or stop your hypnotherapy activities. Claims against professional misconduct can surface months or years after you do the work.
How long you keep your cover in place is up to you; consider the type of work you did and the likelihood that a client might bring a claim against you.
Public liability insurance for hypnotherapists
Hypnotherapy is rarely delivered remotely. As such public liability insurance which covers risks associated with face-to-face work is essential.
What does public liability insurance for hypnotherapists cover?
Public liability provides hypnotherapists with legal defence and covers a possible payout if they are found liable for property damage or causing an injury.
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.
Shopping for hypnotherapist insurance
Whether or not you decide to use Suited hypnotherapist insurance to protect yourself, it’s worth keeping the following in mind:
Cheap hypnotherapy insurance
When thinking about buying insurance for hypnotherapists, while a competitive price is always welcome, 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.
