Allied Healthcare Practitioners FAQ
General FAQ
What does the Professional Liability Policy cover?
The Professional Liability Insurance Policy covers you in your covered practice for bodily injury, personal injury, advertising injury, and limited property damage. The policy also includes supplemental protection for defense reimbursement for licensing board complaints, and no-fault medical.
Where am I covered?
The policy puts no limits on where you can practice (though state or local statutes, including licensing requirements, may). You are covered for services you provide anywhere in the world. However, the policy will only defend you if you are sued in the United States, its territories or possessions, or Canada.
Why are there two limits of coverage on my policy?
The policy has a per-incident limit and an aggregate limit. The per-incident limit is the maximum the policy will pay for one incident/occurrence. The aggregate limit is the maximum the policy will pay if there are multiple suits that apply to the same policy period. Each claim is still subject to the per-incident limit.
Do I pay for my defense?
No. If you have a covered claim, the carrier will assign an attorney to defend you. The defense expenses do not diminish the limits available for damages. You are still covered up to your policy limits for settlements or damages. Please note: the carrier does NOT assign attorneys for reimbursement coverage such as licensing board or HIPAA.
What is a psychologist?
A psychologist has attained a doctoral degree in the field of psychology or is licensed as a psychologist. The three most common degrees are a philosophy doctorate (Ph.D.), a psychology doctorate (Psy.D.), and an education doctorate (Ed.D.). Clinical psychologists must also obtain a license from the state in which they practice. There are a few states that license psychologists at the master’s level.
Do you have to be licensed in order to apply for coverage?
Not necessarily. Some forms of psychology practice do not require licensure (for example, Industrial and Organizational, Consumer, Coaching, and other Consultative practices). The Professional Liability policy also covers postdoctoral candidates working under supervision toward licensure. All states require a license to provide certain clinical services, and the policy requires that you comply with all applicable laws and guidelines. However, many postdoctoral candidates must practice under supervision for one to two years before being eligible for licensure. The Trust offers unlicensed post-docs working toward licensure a 35% discount on their first year of coverage.
Who may apply for coverage?
Psychologists, including post-docs and doctoral students working to become psychologists, may apply for coverage. Additionally, owners and employees may be added to your policy to form a group policy. Group members can be psychologists or other Allied Health Professionals, such as Marriage and Family Therapists, Counselors and Social Workers.
Where am I covered?
The policy puts no limits on where you can practice (though state or local statutes may). You are covered for services you provide anywhere in the world. However, the policy will only defend you if you are sued in the United States, its territories or possessions, or Canada.
Is there any limit on where policies can be issued?
The Trust can only issue a policy to you if you have a valid address in one of the 50 states within the US, the District of Columbia, the US Virgin Islands, or an APO/FPO (AA, AE, and AP).
Do you have to be an APA member to apply for or renew your insurance?
No. Association membership is not required to apply for or renew your policy.
Why are there two limits of coverage on my policy?
The policy has a per-incident limit and an aggregate limit. The per-incident limit is the maximum the policy will pay for one claim. The aggregate limit is the maximum the policy will pay if there are multiple suits that apply to the same policy period. Each claim is still subject to the per-incident limit.
Do I pay for my defense?
No. If you have a covered claim within the Unites States or Canada, the carrier defends you. There are no limits placed on how the carrier defends you. The defense cost does not diminish the limits available for damages. You are still covered up to your policy limits for settlements or damages.
When does premises liability apply?
The premises liability coverage applies to the part of any premises used by you in the course of providing professional services.
What are the dollar limits for coverage?
Premises liability is part of your coverage. You have the full limits of the policy available to pay for a covered claim. If you have a $1 million per-incident policy, the policy limits may go up to $1 million for damages. The policy also includes no-fault premises medical payments for bodily injury.
Does Premises Liability coverage apply if the office is in the home?
The premises liability coverage applies to the part of any premises used by you in the course of providing professional services. If you provided professional services out of a home office, the premises liability coverage would apply to that part of your premises. If your office is located in your home, your Homeowner’s policy may or may not apply to business pursuits. It is important to talk to your homeowners agent to find out whether you need to modify your homeowners insurance for a home office.
Should the landlord be added as an additional insured to the Professional Liability Policy?
You can list the landlord on your policy if you are required to do so under your lease agreement. In the event of a claim, your policy limits will be shared with all named parties, including additional insureds and landlord additional insureds.
Who can be listed as an additional insured?
You may include as an additional insured any person or entity for whom you have a contractual obligation to provide insurance for your negligence or the negligence of those of whom you are legally liable. Note that the insured cannot have an ownership stake in any entity named as an additional insured.
When should I list an additional insured on my policy?
When you list a third party as an additional insured, you are sharing your limits to protect them. You should only list additional insured when required by contract.
Allied Healthcare Professional Liability Insurance FAQ
About Professional Liability Insurance, also known as Malpractice Insurance
Professional Liability insurance, in its simplest meaning, is coverage that protects a qualified professional against claims alleging negligent acts, errors, or omissions in the performance of providing professional services. All practicing healthcare providers need Professional Liability insurance. This is the case whether an individual is employed or self-employed in independent practice. In the event of a licensing board complaint or a suit alleging “malpractice,” Professional Liability insurance is the only line of defense in protecting a healthcare provider’s personal and business assets.
The emergence of new areas of practice, new government regulations (e.g., the HIPAA Privacy Rule and Medicare and Medicaid regulations), and increased licensing board complaints have created new risks and necessitated additional protections for healthcare providers. The Professional Liability Policy offered through Trust Risk Management Services (TRMS) includes coverage that addresses these risks.
The program also offers Professional Liability Insurance for students of the health care profession, designed to cover activities such as practicum and internships.
This policy also affords General Liability protection and a number of significant coverages including the following features:
- Coverage is written on an Occurrence basis
- Standard Professional Liability limits are$1 million/$3 million, with options available for other limits on request
- Individual protection for Professional Liability, Personal Injury Liability, acts as a Good Samaritan, General Liability, and Fire/Water Legal Liability exposures
- Group practices and entities may purchase separate General Liability limits
- Other important coverages include Licensing Board Defense, Defendant’s Reimbursement Benefit, Disposition Fees and Expenses, Assault, Medical Expense, First Aid, Damages to Property of Others, HIPPA Fines and Penalties, and Consumer Notification Cost and Sexual Misconduct
- There is no deductible—The policy covers first dollar defense expenses and indemnity
- The cost of defense does not reduce your coverage (i.e., defense costs are paid in addition to the policy’s limits)
- 24-hour worldwide coverage, provided the claim is brought in the United States, its territories or possessions, or Canada.
Premium discounts are also available for:
- Newly Licensed Practitioners 50%
- Part-Time Practitioners 50%
- Continuing Education 10%
- Switching your coverage to TRMS 10%
- Applying Online 5%
- Group Policies (2 – 6) 4%
* In IL Personal Injury, General Liability, and Host Liquor Liability and Fire/Water Legal Liability are not included in the professional limits; however, they may be purchased as a separate limit. In NY, General Liability and Host Liquor Liability and Fire/Water Legal Liability are not included in the professional limits; however, they may be purchased as a separate limit. Discounts are subject to terms and conditions per state and may vary in percentage or not be available in each state or for each profession. Maximum combined discounts for any state not to exceed 50%. Discounted premiums are subject to a minimum premium.
Employment Status FAQ
I am covered under my employer’s insurance policy. Do I still need my own insurance coverage?
Professional Liability insurance, in its simplest meaning, is coverage that protects a qualified professional against claims alleging negligent acts, errors, or omissions in the performance of providing professional services. All practicing healthcare providers need Professional Liability insurance. This is the case whether an individual is employed or self-employed in independent practice. In the event of a licensing board complaint or a suit alleging “malpractice,” Professional Liability insurance is the only line of defense in protecting a healthcare provider’s personal and business assets.
The emergence of new areas of practice, new government regulations (e.g., the HIPAA Privacy Rule and Medicare and Medicaid regulations), and increased licensing board complaints have created new risks and necessitated additional protections for healthcare providers. The Professional Liability Policy offered through Trust Risk Management Services (TRMS) includes coverage that addresses these risks.
The program also offers Professional Liability Insurance for students of the health care profession, designed to cover activities such as practicum and internships.
I work for myself. How does this work?
When you work for yourself, you assume full responsibility for your professional activities. If you have a business name, this can be included at no additional premium charge.
Groups and Firms FAQ
Do you cover groups?
Groups of up to 30 professionals may apply online. If your group employs over 30 professionals, please call or email TRMS for details.
What is an Employee?
Anyone you hire and provide a W2 Form for tax purposes is an employee. When listed as an insured, employees are covered only for acts performed on your behalf as an employee of your practice or organization.
What is an independent contractor?
Any person contracted by you who receives a 1099 Form for tax purposes is an independent contractor. Your coverage protects you against claims caused by the negligence of a contractor or subcontractor while working on your behalf. The Policy, however, does not provide coverage for claims made against the independent contractor if the independent contractor is not specifically added as an insured to the policy.
Why do I have to pay to list independent contractors on my policy?
A charge applies for each independent contractor added as an insured to your policy. You may list independent contractors on your policy if they do not carry their own Professional Liability insurance.
Why must my independent contractors carry their own coverage?
Having an independent contractor in your practice increases your exposure. The best way to protect yourself is to make sure they are insured.
Have more questions or need clarification?
For more detailed answers, or if your question was not answered here, please call us at (800)-477-1200.