As a physiotherapist, you require professional liability insurance to register with your regulatory College. We all know that. But things get a bit more complicated for physiotherapists who are independent contractors or business owners.
Insurance and liability are complex subjects as are the offerings and policies that support them. It is important to understand the differences between the insurance options available to you in order to identify the most appropriate coverage for your practice circumstances.
Regular interaction with patients is a consistent part of any physiotherapy practice and is a daily occurrence. With this in mind, you may face situations where your patients look to hold you responsible for injuries they deem to have received as a result of your professional services.
Professional Liability insurance (PLI) protects you against liability or allegations of liability for injury or damages that have resulted from a negligent act, error, omission, or malpractice that has arisen out of your professional capacity as a physiotherapist. PLI protects physiotherapists by ensuring that your legal defence is coordinated and paid for if a claim is made against you. Your PLI also covers the cost of patient compensation, or damages.
Click here for more informationClinic Professional Liability provide a separate limit of liability to protect your business assets in the event that your business name is included in a statement of claim or lawsuit.
In the event of an incident, the patient will most likely name not only the treating therapist, but also your business as the larger provider of services. Business owners should consider purchasing this coverage if other health professionals (for example, co-owners, employees, associates) are billing under the business name.
Please note that this coverage should be purchased by one individual on behalf of all business owners, employees, and /or the business entity.
If you work independently or are a sole proprietor with no other health professionals billing under your business name, your CPA individual PLI policy will automatically extend to cover your business name.
Note that for the purposes of the CPA policy, you do not need to purchase Clinic PLI for administrative or support staff.
Click here for more informationCPA members in the Animal Rehabilitation Division have access to Professional Liability Insurance that meets their unique practice needs.
Click here for more informationCommercial General Liability (CGL) insurance protects you against claims arising from injury or property damage that you (or your business, including your staff) may cause to another person as a result of your operations and/or premises. For example, a patient may fall and injure themselves on a wet floor in your office and look to hold you or your business responsible (they have experienced a bodily injury as a result of your premises). That’s why CGL is so commonly referred to as “slip and fall” insurance.
CGL coverage is recommended for physiotherapists who own or operate clinics.
This coverage is also recommended for independent practitioners who contract out their services or bill under their business name. As an example, if you are an independent contractor and accidentally cause damage to the property in which you are working, the property owner may look to hold you responsible for compensating them for the costs of repairs. Your CGL policy would respond under these circumstances.
Click here for more informationThe CPA program offers a Clinic Business Package, which includes Commercial General Liability Insurance (CGL), Contents, Crime and Business Interruption.
Commercial General Liability (CGL) protects you against claims arising from injury or property damage that you may cause to another person as a result of your operations and/or premises. For example, a client may slip and fall on a wet floor on your premises or you may accidentally cause property damage during a home visit.
Members who operate a private practice in which they are the sole professional, and also rent or own a space for which they require contents coverage are encouraged to consider purchasing this product. Contents includes items usual to an office, including desks, chairs, filing cabinets and computers, as well as any stock and improvements and betterments.
Crime coverage protects against financial loss due to dishonesty, fraud, or theft of money, securities or other property owned by the office/clinic.
Business Interruption insures against loss of income resulting from direct physical loss or direct physical damage to the premises by an insured peril (e.g. fire). Alternatively, members are able to purchase stand-alone CGL insurance.
Click here for more informationPhysiotherapists who own the building in which their clinic(s) are located have additional insurance considerations. Building coverage insures the bricks and mortar of your property, protecting you against loss or damage from a broad range of causes, including natural disasters and other threats to business operations, such as vandalism.
Cyber liability is one of the fastest growing areas of risk, and healthcare professionals are not immune. Participants are now eligible to purchase comprehensive Cyber Security and Privacy Liability coverage to protect against claims arising out of theft, loss, or unauthorized disclosure of a third party’s personally identifiable information. Coverage is designed to manage the risk of holding increasingly large quantities of personally identifiable data of clients, employees, and others, and to mitigate the reputational damage resulting from a data security breach.
Click here for more informationDo you employ administrative and/or professional staff? Does your clinic engage independent contractors, volunteers, or students? EPL coverage protects you and your business against allegations of employment practice violation, including wrongful termination, discrimination, workplace harassment, and other employment related allegations with Employment Practices Liability insurance.
Click here for more informationSpecialized legal assistance for personal and/or business matters.
For $30/year - CPA members now have access to:
Unlimited Telephone Legal Assistance
Unlimited access to a confidential 24/7 toll-free line to speak with a lawyer about any legal issue, both personal and professional. Upon calling, you will be connected with a lawyer who is geographically close to you and who is an expert in the area of law you are calling about.
150+ Legal Documents and templates online, anytime you need them
Take advantage of an online library of customizable templates and up-to-date legal documents that have been drafted by lawyers. The document library includes employment contracts, partnership agreements, loan agreements, promissory notes, and more.
Legal Document Reviews
Lawyers will review your short legal documents (e.g. contracts) or legal letters and can draft simple legal letters on your behalf.
A Legal Expense Insurance policy automatically includes the Legal Services Package and is combined with insurance coverage that empowers you to defend or pursue your rights in court.
The Family Legal Expense policy provides professional legal and financial support for you and the family members living in your home to address issues such as disputes with a neighbour or identity theft.
In contrast, the Business Legal Expense policy provides legal and financial support for you, your business, and your employees to address business-related challenges like keeping up with the latest legislation or resolving problems with suppliers.
Click here for more informationAlthough we don't like to think about it, accidents can happen. If the accident is serious enough to limit your ability to work, you may be faced with financial stressors in addition to physical ones. This coverage is designed to provide you and your loved ones with financial assistance in the event of an accident that results in injury or death.
24 Hour Accident Insurance provides a lump sum benefit where:
The policy also provides coverage for:
Now that you are familiar with the various coverage options available, please identify yourself using the list below to assist in identifying the recommended insurance coverage for your practice circumstances.
(Billing under your own business name; no other health professionals billing under your business name)
(Billing under your employer’s business name)
Professional Liability coverage is available for Physiotherapist Assistants who are trained to assist in the provision of physiotherapy services under the direction of a registered/licensed physiotherapist.
Professional Liability Insurance protects you against liability or allegations of liability for injury or damages that have resulted from a negligent act, error, omission, or malpractice that has arisen out of your professional capacity as a physiotherapist assistant.
It is important to note that coverage is afforded on a “claims-made and reported” basis and will respond to claims made during the policy period. This means that the policy which is in place when a claim is made, will be the policy to respond - regardless of when the incident occurred. Therefore, it is extremely important there is no lag or gap in coverage between policy periods. Coverage needs to be continuously in place to ensure you are continuously protected.
Click here for more informationForeign students in Canada can apply for Professional Liability insurance for the duration of their studies in Canada. Please ensure that you meet the following criteria:
Professional Liability Insurance program – specifically created for Animal Rehabilitation Practitioners, who are members of the Animal Rehabilitation Division of CPA.
Please contact BMS Specialty Risks if you are working on prized animals and require an individual quotation.
Please note that this list provides an initial framework for decision-making but should not be considered comprehensive broker advice, nor should it be relied upon as such. You should always speak with an insurance professional at BMS to determine the most appropriate coverage for your specific practice circumstances.
If you require additional assistance in determining the most appropriate coverage for your specific practice circumstances, please contact a BMS representative at 1-855-318-6136 or cpa.insurance@bmsgroup.com.