Allied healthcare professionals are essential to patient care across the country. Despite their importance, many of these professionals do not realize that relying solely on their employer’s insurance coverage may leave them exposed to risk. Whether employed by a healthcare facility or working independently, having an individual professional liability policy can provide crucial protection.
Why Allied Healthcare Providers Should Carry Their Own Liability Insurance
Here are just four reasons why individual professional liability insurance coverage is crucial for allied healthcare professionals.
- Employer Policies Prioritize the Employer First
- Most employer insurance policies list the employer, not the individual, as the named insured. While employees may receive protection under this policy, the insurer is obligated to defend the employer’s interests first. This could result in limited support/coverage left for the individual provider involved in the claim.
- Protection Against Complaints Submitted to Licensing or Certification Boards
- Individual professional liability policies often include supplemental coverage for legal fees, expert testimony, administrative hearing expenses, and other costs associated with defending against a board or disciplinary complaint. Employer policies sometimes do not cover these costs.
- Clarifying W-2 Employee vs. 1099 Contractor Exposures
- Allied healthcare providers working as independent contractors must be especially careful. Many employer or facility policies do not extend coverage to 1099 workers
- Does Having Personal Coverage Attract Litigation?
- A frequent question among healthcare professionals is whether carrying their own policy makes them a more likely target. The answer is no. Attorneys generally name every individual involved in a patient’s care, regardless of who carries insurance. Personal coverage does not influence whether a lawsuit is filed—it simply ensures the provider has proper protection if one occurs.
How Arlington/Roe Can Help
By maintaining their own coverage, allied healthcare providers ensure they are protected regardless of their employment arrangement. We can help you in obtaining an individual professional liability insurance policy, which may provide coverage for the following:
- Defense attorney fees
- Court Costs
- Medical damages
- Settlement costs
- Arbitration costs
- Compensatory costs
- Costs to defend your license if brought in front of the board
Additionally, we can help with the below:
- PCF limits/enrollment available in Indiana
- Aggregate limits up to $6M limits for some professionals
- Coverage for students and employed or self-employed/contracted individuals
- Primary coverage if there is no coverage from the employer or excess coverage of any coverage provided by the individual’s employer.
If you have any clients needing a quote, please click HERE for information on our program, including instructions for access.