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Liability Insurance for Holistic Health Practitioners
Monday, November 25, 2024, 10:33 AM
What Type of Insurance Do I Need as a Holistic Health Practitioner?
Are you uncertain about the different types of liability insurance and what they cover? Let's discuss!
Liability insurance is important for all holistic health practitioners because it protects against loss of business or bankruptcy in case legal action is taken against them.
Legal issues can cause immense stress, but comprehensive coverage can offer peace of mind for practitioners and business owners.
One of the best ways to get liability insurance is by joining a professional association like the Natural Health Practitioners of Canada (NHPC), which provides additional membership benefits, such as discounted workshops, member only events, and practice advice.
Here are the most important types of insurance for practitioners:
Medical Malpractice
Medical Malpractice (or Professional Liability) insurance protects you from claims about your treatment or professional advice you give to your clients, including aspects of homecare like stretching. For example, it will protect you if a client claims you caused bodily injury during treatment.
Commercial General Liability (CGL)
CGL is often referred to as slip-and-fall insurance. If a client hurts themselves or damages their property while at your location, you're covered. For example, a client may slip on ice when arriving for an appointment with you.
If you work mobile (travelling to a client's home or office) and accidentally damage their property, CGL would also cover that. For example, you hit their TV when unfolding or moving your table.
Contents
Like the name suggests, this insurance covers the contents of your business. It will help to replace your contents should they be damaged or stolen.
Contents insurance also protects against loss of time. If you have to close your clinic because the contents of your business are unusable or damaged beyond repair, you'll be reimbursed for lost income.
When Do I Need Contents Insurance?
If you're a business owner, how do you know when your business is big enough to benefit from contents insurance? The answer is simple: when the cost of replacing your contents is more than your premiums and deductibles.
Premiums are the yearly amount you pay to hold that insurance type.
A deductible is the amount you must pay out of pocket to access your coverage if an incident occurs.
With this in mind, it's recommended that you purchase contents insurance if you have a medium- to large-sized business or if you have expensive equipment or specialized therapies, such as an electric table, shockwave therapy, or instrument-assisted massage tools.
Get the Coverage You Need!
Medical malpractice is the only insurance required for all regular NHPC members, but the NHPC offers all three types of insurance for practitioners.
If you work in a clinic or spa, you may be required to hold additional insurance, so it is important to find this out before accepting a job offer.
Practising in Multiple Locations
Some practitioners may work in many settings throughout their career.
Whether you practise in a couple different clinics, work trackside at athletic events, provide mobile services, volunteer locally, or practise anywhere in Canada, NHPC liability insurance goes with you!
This is a great benefit for those who wish to have variety in their career. However, there are additional conditions when working as a massage therapist in a regulated province.
Travelling Outside of Canada
Practitioners may also be covered to work outside of Canada.
The NHPC's liability coverage includes a clause for 90 days out of country per annual term. This coverage is only applicable if you are in the following situations:
- attending academic training
- enrolled in an exchange program in your scope of practice
- building your network at international trade shows or conferences
- accompanying a client on their travel plans
Be sure to review the details of your own coverage before travelling for work if you are not with the NHPC.
Practising Multiple Modalities
The NHPC offers flat-rate liability insurance for over 60 holistic practices, including massage therapy, yoga instruction, aromatherapy, reflexology, reiki, and Thai massage.
You can add coverage for additional modalities at no extra cost when you provide proof of recognized training. The course or training must be recognized by the NHPC to add that modality to your liability insurance coverage.
Email our Member Services team at memberservices@nhpcanada.org before taking the course to make sure it's recognized. Once you receive your certificate of completion, send a copy to our team.
We currently recognize hundreds of courses across all holistic health practices.
Insurance Coverage for Student Practitioners
If you're a student considering liability coverage, you would likely only need it in certain scenarios. For example, your school does not provide liability insurance for your practicum.
The NHPC offers optional insurance for students at a discounted rate, so you can be confident that you are covered as you prepare to enter the workforce.
That covers the basics of liability insurance! If you have further questions about NHPC coverage, please contact our Member Services team at memberservices@nhpcanada.org.
More of a visual learner? Watch our insurance video series!