Why psychotherapists need insurance
Accidents and injury
When you run a business, taking responsibility for risks to the public comes with the territory. A client could trip in your reception area, for instance, or a child could slip on your laptop bag and sustain a head injury during couples’ therapy at a private address. You may even stand accused of property damage if someone says you scratched their newly decorated paintwork on your way to a home appointment. Public liability cover means finding yourself in a legal tight spot doesn’t need to carry financial strain.
Treatment goes wrong
On examining a client’s notes, you recommend psychoanalytic therapy to address the unconscious feelings driving their problems. Following treatment, your client might feel this route was a mistake, or allege that bringing painful memories to the surface caused them mental injury, job loss or a relationship breakdown. Likewise, if you slip up on your method during cognitive behavioural therapy, a patient may sue for negligence. Providing professional treatments for the mind is sensitive work – insurance covering this can support you financially if things go wrong.
Unable to work
When a psychotherapist is injured, finding a qualified replacement might not be straightforward. Personal accident insurance provides a range of supportive measures if you or a named employee are out of action due to an accidental injury. If you trip and fall on the ward while visiting inpatients and are unable to travel to work due to a broken arm, then we can provide weekly payments to ease the monetary concerns of being temporarily out of work.
What cover is included in insurance for psychotherapists?
Public liability
In the field of psychotherapy, public liability insurance can provide welcome assistance by taking the pressure off your finances if accidents strike. Members of the public, including clients, can bring claims against you if they have been injured or suffered property damage and believe your business is at fault. Something as simple as knocking over an expensive sculpture as you reach for your coat in a client’s home could result in a costly claim. This cover takes care of legal fees and compensation, so you can focus on your therapeutic methods.
Professional treatment liability insurance
Professional treatment liability insurance is often considered key cover for psychotherapists. It’s designed for people who provide treatment to others and protects you if you give incorrect advice, cause illness by a negligent act or exacerbate an existing condition. This type of business insurance can also help if you accidentally share confidential information about a client without their permission, funding the settlement or defence process in such cases.
Office insurance
Owning your own psychotherapy clinic is the ultimate career goal for many in this field. If you’ve made it a reality, then insuring your premises against risks such as storm damage, overnight theft or equipment failure could form an important part of your business plan. If disaster should strike, this type of commercial cover can minimise the impact by replacing damaged therapy chairs, addressing structural issues, and replacing your computers swiftly.
Depending on the circumstances of your business, you may also need to consider adding other covers to your policy: employers’ liability insurance if you employ other therapists or a receptionist for instance, personal accident cover to limit the financial impact of being unable to work or cyber insurance to cover the costs of a data breach or hacking.
If you’re not sure what you need, tell us a little more about your psychotherapy business. We’ll help you to build your quote and explore any other insurance needs.
Build my coverWhat insurance do I need as a mobile psychotherapist?
Mobile psychotherapists may have specific insurance needs due to the nature of operating on-the-go.
If most appointments are held at private addresses, for instance, then your interactions with clients will take place in a less controlled environment than in a clinic, surgery, or hospital. This might make public liability insurance a priority.
You’ll no doubt carry some equipment along to mobile appointments, such as a laptop and perhaps books. Portable equipment insurance helps to cover the cost of repairs and replacements if business equipment is stolen, lost, or broken on the job.
How do I receive my insurance documents?
Purchase insurance online with Hiscox and you’ll receive immediate cover, bringing instant protection for practicing psychotherapy.
We’ll send your insurance documents straight away. If you opt to receive these via email, then you’ll receive confirmation and official papers within a matter of minutes.
These serve as proof of cover. They will list the types of insurance you’ve included, as well as the value of the cover you select.
Does Hiscox psychotherapy insurance cover working from home?
Yes – a range of Hiscox business insurance products cover psychotherapists who work from home.
If you’ve recently started working remotely, then this type of insurance might be worth considering, since standard home insurance sometimes doesn’t offer full protection for business-owned equipment.
Other types of insurance may also become more relevant when a psychotherapist operates online, such as cyber and data cover. Find out more about the cover you may need as a home-based business.
Create your own home office heaven
A well-designed home office can help with productivity, wellbeing and achieving the important work life balance. Find out more with our guide to home office heaven.
Cyber security risks for small businesses
Learn more about cyber risks that exist for small businesses, how they change and how you can put protection in place, from staff training to investing in the right technology.
How much does business insurance cost?
The cost of cover can vary depending on circumstantial factors, as well as the type and amount of cover you select. Learn more with our guide to business insurance costs.