Professional Liability Insurance for Social Workers: Benefits and Coverage

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As a social worker, you're not just a caregiver, but also a professional who's at risk of facing lawsuits and financial losses due to mistakes or omissions in your work.

Professional liability insurance, also known as errors and omissions insurance, is a must-have for social workers to protect themselves against such risks.

This type of insurance covers damages or losses that occur due to professional negligence, such as misdiagnosis, malpractice, or breach of confidentiality.

With professional liability insurance, you can focus on your work without worrying about the financial implications of a lawsuit.

What You Need to Know

Having professional liability insurance for social workers is crucial, and here's what you need to know.

Relying solely on your employer's clinical social worker malpractice insurance can leave you exposed to financial devastation in the event of a lawsuit.

You should have separate clinical social worker liability insurance from your employer to protect your personal assets.

Credit: youtube.com, Best Professional Liability Insurance for Social Workers

CM&F's liability insurance for clinical social workers is designed to protect personal assets and cover legal expenses in the event of a malpractice lawsuit.

Malpractice insurance for clinical social workers offers liability protection against claims associated with mistakes or negligence, whether true or false.

Professional liability insurance can cover negligence or alleged negligence, legal defense costs, omissions or alleged omissions, claims and damages, and more.

However, a PL policy usually doesn't cover intentional acts and omissions, property damage, medical expenses, bodily injury, and more.

Here are some benefits and highlights of professional liability insurance for social workers:

  • Defense Expenses related to Licensing Board Hearings and Other Proceedings: Limit of $35,000 per proceeding is included with NO annual aggregate
  • First Party Assault and Battery Coverage: Reimbursement up to $25,000 in medical expenses related to injuries and/or personal property damage caused by a patient or client
  • Medical Payments Coverage: Limit of $100,000 for Medical Payments to a patient or client arising from bodily injury on your business premises
  • Emergency Aid Coverage: Reimbursement to you up to $15,000 for costs and expenses for medical supplies and lost earnings up to $100.00 due to the provision of volunteer emergency treatment or services
  • Punitive Damages Coverage: Limit of $25,000 (where allowable/insurable by law)
  • Fire Legal Liability Coverage: $150,000 liability limit for fire damage to third party property
  • Premises Liability: Bodily Injury Coverage and/or Damage to property of patients on your primary office locations(s) with no additional cost
  • Information Privacy Coverage (HIPAA): Up to $25,000 defense provided for Federal and State regulators who investigate you for violations of privacy protections statutes (where allowable by law)
  • Subpoena for Records: Limit of $5,000 per proceeding with NO annual aggregate (higher limits are available up to $150,000)
  • Insurer will pay the Insured up to $1,000 per day for loss of earnings, if the Insured is unable to render Professional Services while assisting in the defense of a covered Claim
  • Limits up to $2 million per occurrence/$4 million per policy year
  • “Prior Acts” coverage is available; therefore, it is not necessary to purchase tail coverage to change to our policy
  • No Surcharge for Claims, No Deductible and No association membership required
  • Individual, group and corporate coverage
  • Broad coverage at affordable rates includes Personal and Advertising Injury Coverage, Publishing of articles or books and broadcasting activities, Telebehavioral Health Coverage and Forensic Practice Coverage
  • Unlimited Payment of Defense Expenses is in addition to the Limit of Liability for Professional and General Business Liability Coverages
  • Insuring company has an A.M. Best rating of “A” (Excellent) with strong financial stability
  • Online application processing and proof of coverage is available same day in most cases
  • Experienced in-house claims professionals are available to assist with subpoenas, claims processing, licensing board hearings and procedures, and risk related questions
  • Knowledgeable customer service representatives are easily accessible by telephone with live operators standing by, during regular business hours
  • Online credit card processing and online check payment is available

If you're a W2-form employee, you'll pay less for professional liability insurance.

Why You Need It

You need professional liability insurance for social workers to protect your personal assets from a lawsuit. Relying solely on an employer's policy may not be enough, as it may focus on their financial liability first, leaving you exposed.

A single lawsuit can be financially devastating, with costs ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 or more. Even if you do your best to limit risk, you're never fully protected without a policy.

Here are some common incidents that can happen and the average costs:

  • Reputational Harm — $50,000
  • Client Injury or Damage — $30,000
  • Client Slip and Fall — $20,000

Having liability coverage can help cover some or all of these costs, giving you peace of mind and financial protection.

Program Benefits

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Having professional liability insurance is a no-brainer for any clinical social worker. With CM&F's insurance coverage, you can rest assured that you're protected from the costs associated with certain claims. The insurance carrier has an A.M. Best rating of "A" (Excellent), which means they have strong financial stability.

You can choose from various coverage options, including defense costs in addition to liability limits. This is a huge plus, as it ensures you're covered for both the costs of defending a claim and the potential damages awarded. With coverage options up to $2 million per claim, you can have peace of mind knowing you're protected.

One of the standout features of CM&F's insurance is the 24/7 portable coverage that covers you everywhere you go. This means you're protected whether you're working as a W2-form employee, volunteering, or taking on per diem or moonlighting assignments. You can even add additional insureds at any time, which is a convenient feature.

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Here are some of the key benefits of CM&F's insurance coverage:

  • Coverage options up to $2 million per claim
  • Full consent to settle claims
  • License defense coverage included
  • Sexual misconduct defense included
  • Add additional insureds at any time
  • General liability available

With CM&F's insurance, you can also take advantage of their online application processing and proof of coverage, which is available same day in most cases. This means you can get the coverage you need quickly and easily. And if you have any questions or concerns, their knowledgeable customer service representatives are easily accessible by telephone with live operators standing by during regular business hours.

Need for Malpractice Insurance

You might be thinking, "Do I really need malpractice insurance as a clinical social worker?" The answer is a resounding yes. Relying solely on your employer's insurance may leave you exposed to financial devastation in the event of a lawsuit.

In fact, an employer's policy may focus on their financial liability first, leaving little to no protection for you. This is why it's essential to have separate clinical social worker liability insurance from your employer.

Credit: youtube.com, Do You Need Malpractice Insurance for Your Practice?

As a clinical social worker, you face risks such as being accused of negligence or causing harm to your clients. In fact, 43% of small business owners, including social workers, have been threatened or involved in a civil lawsuit.

Malpractice insurance for clinical social workers offers liability protection against claims associated with mistakes or negligence that result in bodily injury, medical expenses, or claims of mental anguish or pain and suffering.

Here are some common incidents that can happen to small business owners, including social workers, and the average costs:

  • Reputational Harm — $50,000
  • Client Injury or Damage — $30,000
  • Client Slip and Fall — $20,000

Having liability coverage can help cover some or all of these costs, giving you peace of mind and protecting your personal assets.

Professional liability insurance can cover:

  • Negligence or alleged negligence
  • Legal defense costs
  • Omissions or alleged omissions
  • Claims and damages
  • And more

However, a PL policy usually doesn't cover:

  • Intentional acts and omissions
  • Property damage
  • Medical expenses
  • Bodily injury
  • And more

Types of Policies

Professional liability insurance is a must-have for social workers, and there are several types to consider.

Policies typically available for social workers include professional liability insurance, general liability insurance, and workers' compensation insurance.

Credit: youtube.com, Best Professional Liability Insurance for Social Workers

If you own a private practice, you'll want to consider getting business insurance, but the type of policy you need may vary depending on where you live and if you have employees.

Here are three types of plans that can be bundled together to form robust social worker insurance coverage:

  • Professional liability insurance
  • General liability insurance
  • Workers compensation insurance

Cyber Coverage Now Available

Social workers have a responsibility to safeguard client information, which makes having the right cyber protection in place critical.

Data breaches and cyber attacks are becoming increasingly common, making it essential for social workers to have a comprehensive coverage endorsement like Cyber Suite.

Cyber Suite offers multiple layers of insurance defense against the complex, ever-evolving cyber risks that social workers face every day.

This endorsement is specifically designed for social workers who maintain confidential client information, making it a valuable resource for those in this field.

Limits and Cost

CM&F's professional liability insurance offers a range of options for clinical social workers.

You can get a policy for as low as $170, which covers an aggregate limit of $25,000. However, this may not be available in all states, and rates may vary.

Some policies may have sublimits and/or a $1,000 deductible for certain coverages.

Policies Typically Available

Credit: youtube.com, Types of Policies

Social workers often need to consider various types of policies to protect themselves and their practices. Professional liability insurance is a common type of policy available to social workers.

If you own a private practice, you may need to consider business insurance, which can be tailored to your specific needs based on where you live and whether you have employees.

Three types of plans can be bundled together for robust social worker insurance coverage. This can provide comprehensive protection for social workers.

You can get professional liability coverage through CM&F, a reputable provider that offers competitive policies. Their insurance is designed to protect personal assets and cover legal expenses in the event of a malpractice lawsuit.

Here are some policies typically available for social workers:

  • Professional liability insurance
  • General liability insurance
  • Workers compensation insurance

These policies can help social workers protect themselves and their practices from various risks and liabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best professional liability insurance for clinical social workers?

CM&F's professional liability insurance for LCSWs is the most competitive policy available, backed by a large and reliable insurance carrier

Who is not required to carry professional liability insurance social work?

Social workers employed by federal, state, or local governmental agencies are typically exempt from carrying professional liability insurance, if their practice is part of their job duties. This exception applies to those working within their agency's scope.

What is the liability of a social worker?

Social workers are at risk of being sued for malpractice due to negligent acts, errors, and omissions on the job. Professional liability insurance helps protect them from costly lawsuits and financial losses.

How much is NASW insurance?

The NASW RRG General Liability policy starts at $159 per year, offering a cost-effective option for coverage limits of $1 Million/$3 Million. For comprehensive protection, consider adding a Cyber Liability policy for an additional layer of security.

How much does liability insurance cost for LCSW?

Social work liability insurance for LCSWs typically starts at around $101-$242 per year, depending on the type of policy and coverage limits. Get a more accurate quote by exploring your options and considering factors that may affect your premium.

Angelo Douglas

Lead Writer

Angelo Douglas is a seasoned writer with a passion for creating informative and engaging content. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for simplifying complex topics, Angelo has established himself as a trusted voice in the world of finance. Angelo's writing portfolio spans a range of topics, including mutual funds and mutual fund costs and fees.

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