Professional Liability Insurance: Occupational Therapy

Key Takeaways

  • Professional liability insurance for occupational therapists helps protect your professional reputation and business from claims of malpractice or negligence.
  • The average cost of professional liability insurance is about $744 a year, or $62 a month.**
  • Occupational therapy liability insurance doesn’t cover all risks. That’s why it’s important to have additional business liability coverages for well-rounded protection.

What Is Occupational Therapy Liability Insurance?

When it comes to protecting your career with professional liability insurance, occupational therapy (OT) policies provide coverage for legal claims related to malpractice, errors or negligence in patient care. This type of occupational therapy liability insurance can help cover liability issues in occupational therapy from claims of:
 
  • Negligence
  • Inaccurate advice
  • Misrepresentation
You may have heard other names for professional liability insurance, like:
 
  • Errors and omissions insurance
  • E&O insurance
  • Medical malpractice insurance

Do Occupational Therapists Need Malpractice Insurance?

Some states may require professional liability insurance for occupational therapists. Because laws vary for health care professionals, it’s a good idea to check if your business is required to carry occupational therapist liability insurance where you live.
 
Even if it’s not required, it’s still a good idea to have OT professional liability insurance. With professional liability insurance, occupational therapy professionals can safeguard themselves from legal claims, malpractice lawsuits and financial risks. Mistakes can happen, and if they cause your clients financial loss, they can sue your occupational therapy business. It can help give you peace of mind to know you have OT insurance coverage to help protect you from lawsuits.
 
Patients may sue your business even if your professional services are mistake-free. Without comprehensive OT liability insurance, you’d have to pay for legal fees and defense costs if you get sued. These lawsuits can be expensive and put your practice at risk.
small business owner protected by Professional Liability Insurance for Occupational Therapist

What Are Liability Issues in Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy liability insurance can help your small business if:
 
  • A patient sues after your occupational therapist's treatment plan makes their injury worse.
  • You get sued after telling a patient that you know how to treat their injury, but they don't improve.
  • Your occupational therapy business loses a patient's health records, and they sue your company.
  • You have to attend a deposition after a patient files a lawsuit claiming your treatment hurt them.

What Is the Average Cost of Occupational Therapy Liability Insurance for Healthcare Professionals?

The average cost of professional liability insurance is about $744 a year, or $62 a month.** Keep in mind every business is unique, which means different business owners will pay different rates. An insurance company uses multiple factors to determine the cost of a professional liability insurance policy, including:
 
  • Years of experience
  • Claims history
  • Location
  • Coverage and liability limits
  • Deductible amount
The best way to find out coverage options and how much professional liability insurance will cost for your occupational therapy business is to get a quote.

Frequently Asked Questions About OT Liability Insurance

You help your patients get back to living their lives, but if your professional advice or treatment plan is challenged in court, you could face a significant cost to your business and reputation. Professional liability insurance is an important part of a risk management plan, providing coverage you can rely on to help you pay costly legal expenses.
** Costs, premiums, and coverages mentioned are estimates and are not guaranteed. Actual cost, premium, and coverage are determined at the time of quote or issue and are specific to an individual risk. Premiums are based on information provided to The Hartford, including, but not limited to, underwriting and rating criteria. All examples included on this website or in an advertisement are intended for informational purposes only and are not an offer or a guarantee of premium or coverage. Coverage and products described are subject to the terms and conditions found in the policy contract. Any educational information provided about available coverages does not modify the policy language or imply that any claim is covered. Products are not available in all states or for all businesses.
This page outlines in general terms the coverages that may be afforded under a policy from The Hartford. All policies must be examined carefully to determine suitability for your needs and to identify any exclusions, limitations or any other terms and conditions that may specifically affect coverage. In the event of a conflict, the terms and conditions of the policy prevail.
 
All Hartford coverages and services described on this page may be offered by one or more of the property and casualty insurance company subsidiaries of The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. In Arizona, California, New Hampshire, Texas, and Washington by Hartford Fire Insurance Company, Hartford Casualty Insurance Company, Hartford Accident & Indemnity Company, Hartford Underwriters Insurance Company, Twin City Fire Insurance Company, Pacific Insurance Company, Limited, Sentinel Insurance Company, LTD (CA license #8701), Hartford Lloyd's Insurance Company, Hartford Insurance Company of Illinois, Hartford Insurance Company of the Midwest, Trumbull Insurance Company, Hartford Insurance Company of the Southeast, and Property & Casualty Insurance Company of Hartford and its property and casualty insurance company affiliates, One Hartford Plaza, Hartford, CT 06155.
 
Additional disclosures below.
The Hartford shall not be liable for any damages in connection with the use of any information provided on this page. Please consult with your insurance agent/broker or insurance company to determine specific coverage needs as this information is intended to be educational in nature.
 
The information contained on this page should not be construed as specific legal, HR, financial, or insurance advice and is not a guarantee of coverage. In the event of a loss or claim, coverage determinations will be subject to the policy language, and any potential claim payment will be determined following a claim investigation.
 
Certain coverages vary by state and may not be available to all businesses. All Hartford coverages and services described on this page may be offered by one or more of the property and casualty insurance company subsidiaries of The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. listed in the Legal Notice.
 
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