Counsellors insurance

What's covered in counselling insurance?

We’re always transparent about what’s included in our professional liability insurance. But if you’re not sure what kind of cover you need, our friendly team is happy to help.

Please note this list is not exhaustive – refer to full policy document for details.

What's insured?

• Professional indemnity/malpractice: Choose from £1.5 million up to £10 million. This insurance covers claims arising from your work as a talking therapist, supervisor or educator. Cover is provided on a full civil liability basis, which means it isn’t restricted just to allegations of professional negligence. With a choice of five cover levels, you can select a level to suit your business needs.
• Public and products liability: £10 million as standard. This is the insurance that deals with your public liability for causing bodily injury to people or damage to property due to your negligence causing an accident. For example, your client tripping and falling in your home or workplace.
• Complaints and disciplinary hearings: Up to £500 a day, providing full help and support should a complaint be made about you to your professional body or other regulators. This includes specialist help in submitting your response and legal representation at disciplinary hearings.
• Professional wills: Up to £5,000 ‒ cover in the event of death or incapacity to help with reallocation or secure destruction of client notes and records.
• Crisis containment: Up to £25,000 ‒ cover for expenses related to managing and mitigating a crisis specific to the counselling profession. As a counsellor, you’re at risk of encountering a situation that could potentially harm your reputation, professional standing or financial stability. Crisis containment cover can assist in responding effectively and efficiently to the crisis. The Oxygen policy will cover the costs incurred with a crisis containment provider such as; crisis management expenses, public relations and communications, legal support, crisis response planning and reputation protection.
• Directors and officers liability: Up to £100,000. This cover is for limited companies and is designed to provide financial support for key people within your business if they face allegations of personal wrongdoing. It works to protect directors, officers, partners and other company leaders in the event they stand accused of a wrongful act. This can include breach of duty of care, breach of trust, negligent errors, defamation and health and safety failure.

What is not insured?

• Public and products liability claims brought in US or Canadian courts.
• Professional indemnity claims brought in US or Canadian courts. The policy can be extended to include US/Canada jurisdiction – price and options are subject to terms and conditions.

Why choose us for your counselling insurance?

As a counsellor we know you're focused on supporting and guiding your clients through challenging times. However, giving this support also presents risks to you and your business. It's essential to have the right insurance in place that offers the necessary protection.

Our cover gives peace of mind for you and your business, including:

• Protection: Our professional liability insurance protects you so you can focus on supporting your clients.
• Professional advice and support: Throughout the life of your policy, we'll be on hand to help you with any queries, problems or issues you may have. We're here to support you should you need to make a claim.
• Saving you time: It's quick to get a quote and buy your insurance online. If you'd prefer to speak to a member of our experienced team, we're here to give you the help you need, whenever and however you need it.

*How we work out example prices. Customers will pay £93.42 a year for professional indemnity of £1.5m if they are also a member of one of the recognised professional bodies that receive 20% discount from us. £1.79 per week is based on a monthly cost when paying for the policy in one annual payment. Paying monthly is usually more expensive as you'll pay interest. This is the prices from amount as customers have the option of increasing their level of cover and therefore may pay more than this. Students or trainees will pay £70.99 a year for professional indemnity of £1.5m. £1.36 per week is based on a monthly cost when paying for the policy in one annual payment. Paying monthly is usually more expensive as you'll pay interest. This is the prices from amount as customers have the option of increasing their level of cover and therefore may pay more than this. **No excess applies to the core therapists insurance (public liability, professional indemnity, employers liability, directors and officers), however for any additional insurance taken certain excess may apply. Please contact us for details.