Balens was asked in the early 1990s by the then British Association of Occupational Therapists (BAOT), now Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT), to arrange a facility for private practice Occupational Therapists (OTs), and we have had a scheme for OTs ever since. We have policies to suit individual OTs and case managers to multi-disciplinary corporate businesses with employees and / or sub-contracted professionals.

As an individual practitioner or business owner, you can be held legally liable for loss or damage to other people’s property, plus injury, harm or financial loss alleged to have been caused to your clients, patients or other parties. Balens Professional Liability and Malpractice Insurance Policy has been specifically designed to protect you in these circumstances and includes many important additional features that other policies may not cover, reducing the risk that you won’t be covered, should the unfortunate occur.

We can cover the risks of sub-contracting to other firms as well as Corporate Health Provider Firms, and expertly handle from simple businesses to very complex ones, including businesses that have a variety of functions - OT, Case Management, Training, disability aids use, advising and retailing, supply and installation of wet rooms, stair lifts and other adaptations.  We understand and insure the many and varied activities of OTs and Case Managers, and are delighted that one of our team is a qualified OT, giving us a unique insight into this important field of work.

Benefits of the Balens Occupational Therapists & Case Managers Liability Insurance Policy:

  • £4m / £6m* Professional Liability Cover

    This covers your legal liability for any breach of your professional duty due to a negligent act, error or omission committed or alleged to have been committed and includes the use of manual and electrical equipment. The limit of liability selected will apply to any one claim and will cover an unlimited number of claims per policy year.

    * Higher limits of indemnity are available upon request, please contact us for details

  • £4m / £6m* Public Liability Cover

    This covers your legal liability for accidental injury to any third party and or their property through acts of negligence. The limit of liability selected will apply to any one claim and will cover an unlimited number of claims per policy year.

    * Higher limits of indemnity are available upon request, please contact us for details

  • £4m / £6m* Products Liability Cover

    This covers your legal liability for accidental injury to any third party and / or their property through the use, sale and / or distribution of defective products. The limit of liability is for all claims during the year (aggregate) and covers an unlimited number of claims up to the limit of liability. This cover includes sale or distribution of products to your own clients connected with the therapies / activities that we insure. A turnover restriction of £30,000 applies for sales to non-clients in any one year. We have a separate Health Products Policy should your additional sales exceed this limit.

    Read more

    * Higher limits of indemnity are available upon request, please contact us for details

  • Retrospective extension

    The Balens Health Professionals Liability Policy has an extension for all previous work performed, and will cover claims arising during this period provided there was an insurance policy in place at the time that the work was carried out, it does not have to be ours. 

    There is a requirement that any claim made under this area of cover is first notified to you during the period of insurance with us and the previous insurance policy in force at the time of the event will not respond. Full details of any previous policy must be provided in the event of a claim.       

  • Peace of Mind after you cease trading

    The Balens Health Professionals Liability Policy is on a claims occurring basis. A major benefit of this type of wording is that any work performed when the policy was in force will be covered now and at any point in the future, this is subject to the terms and condition of the policy. There is no need to purchase additional run-off cover which would be required on a claims made wording, and can be quite costly. 

  • Cover for temporary work abroad (excluding cover for work in the USA & Canada. Policies can be extended by referral)
  • Can include over 3,500 different therapies / activities within the one policy

    Subject to qualification, many at no additional premium. We have a flexible underwriting approach and are regularly reviewing new activities and techniques.

  • Teaching covered as standard

    Including training and running workshops – Cover for you undertaking the above activities is provided under the standard policy so long as you are not issuing a certificate of competency. In cases where a certificate of competency is issued, we can offer a training extension that covers a turnover of up to £20,000 per annum and / or 40 students, including issuing of certification. A separate Training Schools policy is also available should your needs extend beyond these limits.

    Read more

  • Pre-disciplinary hearings legal advice up to £1,500

    Any one occurrence, to cover costs and expenses when preparing a response to allegations of unprofessional conduct or behaviour.

  • Significant Conditions and Exclusions

    It is important that you comply with the Conditions and note the Exclusions of cover. The below is only a summary of the principal terms and conditions of cover. Please refer to the policy document for full details.

  • Conditions
    • Record keeping – It is extremely important to note that the policy does require you to undertake and keep a record of all consultations and treatments provided. Full details of your obligations are shown in the policy wording.             
    • Claims notification – There is a condition that all incidents that may give rise to a claim must be notified to Balens.
    • Instruments – There is a requirement to ensure sterilisation of instruments used for touching or piercing of skin, dealing with fluid spillage and disposal of clinical waste.
    • Qualification – You should be suitably qualified for the treatments / advice / therapies that you provide and evidence of such must be provided when cover is arrange or when a claim occurs.
    • Treatment by beauty therapists, cosmetologists and hairdressers – There are a number of conditions, including regarding patch tests, use of impermeable membranes where spillages may cause staining for the client, after care treatment advice and training / qualification requirements for certain treatments. Please see the policy wording for full details.
  • Exclusions
    • Employers Liability Insurance.
    • Treatment / advice on any person under the age of 16 unless parental consent is obtained. Certain treatments do have an exclusion for under 18’s and details will be clear on any quotation / policy document provided to you.
    • Criminal acts.
    • Any fines, penalties or liquidated / punitive damages as a result of a contract, agreement or legal requirement.

And DAS Legal and Taxation Policy that includes:

  • Commercial Legal Protection insurance with a limit of liability of £100,000 per claim

    Benefits include:

    • Cover for legal defence costs against criminal allegations.
    • Pre-disciplinary and Disciplinary Hearings cover.
    • Jury service and court attendance cover.
    • Tax protection cover relating to a tax enquiry, an employer compliance dispute and/or VAT dispute.
    • Unlimited access to legal and tax helplines.
    • Telephone counselling service.

All insurance policies are subject to Terms and Conditions.

Optional Extensions to cover:

  • Personal Accident - A lump sum benefit payable on death or disablement

    The maximum benefit amount under the policy is £25,000.

    What is insured?

    This policy covers you for bodily injury caused by accident and does not cover any claim caused or contributed by sickness. The policy will pay a maximum amount of £25,000 if you suffer bodily injury during the period of insurance which results in your:

    • Accidental death
    • Loss of, or loss of use of, a limb(s)
    • Loss of sight
    • Loss of hearing
    • Loss of speech
    • Permanent total disablement
    • Permanent partial disablement

     

    Extensions

    • Coma Benefit up to a maximum of £1,000.
    • Funeral expenses up to a maximum of £5,000.
    • Medical expenses.
    • Relative travel expenses.
    • Up to £15,000 for reasonable expenses incurred in retraining in an alternative occupation.

     

    Exclusions

    • Any bodily injury, loss or expense arising from:
    • Engaging in active service of the armed forces in any nation.
    • Drugs, drug addiction and / or drink driving.
    • Travel to dangerous or unsettled areas.
    • Any gradually operating causes.
    • Non-passenger air travel.
    • Suicide or self-injury.
    • War.

     

    Restrictions

    • Any claim by a person of 76 years of age unless bodily injury occurs during the period of insurance in which the person attains that age.

     

    Conditions

    • Insured person under 18 years of age.
    • Reasonable care.
  • Business Equipment ‘All Risks’ Cover

    Provides cover for business equipment, contents and / or stock up to a maximum value of £5,000.

    Sum insured options of: £1,500, £3,000 or £5,000

     

    What is insured?

    • Property used solely in connection with your business, belonging to you or for which you are legally responsible.
    • Property including therapy equipment, office equipment, tablet devices, computers and ancillary equipment, electronic equipment, photographic equipment, stock.
    • A £100 policy excess applies to each and every claim.

     

    Extensions

    • Property taken outside of the UK, worldwide for a maximum of 60 days in any one period of insurance.

     

    Exclusions

    • Brittle articles.
    • Damage caused by wear, tear or any gradually operating cause.
    • Damage caused by any act of dishonesty committed by any employee.

     

    Conditions

    • Theft from an unattended vehicle – all doors, windows and other means of access are securely fastened and locked. All valuable items are locked in secure compartments and hidden from view. Any security devices for protection of the vehicle are put into full and effective operation.

    In all areas, cover applies as per the standard Terms and Conditions of the policy.  Please click here for full details of the policy.

Download Flyer

Please contact us to get a personalised quote for your practice:

Please click here for Balens briefing document and statement regarding the position of Dual Insurance for Balens OT, Case Managers and relate Health Professional clients. 

Occupational Therapists OT@balens.co.uk 01684 580771

Other policies services which may be useful:

Balens have a range of additional policies that you may wish to consider as part of your insurance portfolio.

  • Business Protection Insurance – for when your contents or stock exceed the limits of the All Risks section of insurance cover in the above Policy.  Also includes Employers Liability Insurance, which is a legal requirement when employing staff / volunteers.
  • Clinic / Salon Insurance Policy – As your business grows you may need to cover the business and business name for the work, treatments and / or advice of more than one person. Balens offer and arrange two options of insurance cover designed to cater for this need, Contingent insurance Cover and a Full Clinic insurance Policy.  The ‘Clinic’ insurance policy can cover work performed by other qualified professionals, whether employed or self-employed that work under your corporate name. Please also see our Article – Do you run a Multi Profession Clinic?  
  • Health Products Insurance Package – Balens offer and arrange a policy for Health, Wellbeing, Fitness and Beauty Professionals that may be involved in the manufacture, sale and / or distribution of related products.   
  • Cyber / Crime Insurance – Your business may be at risk if you use any form of internet-based technology within your business or for the storage of data. Cyber / Crime insurance is designed to protect businesses and individual users from these risks, including such elements as theft of funds, loss of data, online fraud, transmission of a virus.
  • Training Schools Insurance – If you hold a Professional teaching qualification and are a qualified Health, Wellbeing, Fitness or Beauty Practitioner who wants to train and certify others, Balens offer and arrange a Teaching School Insurance for an unlimited number of students.

    If you are looking to offer training which issues certificates of attendance only, this is automatically included in the Professional Indemnity Insurance Policy offered and arranged by Balens,  this has no limits on the number of students for no additional premium. If you are issuing certificates of competence, a Training School extension to your insurance policy can be added to your Professional Liability insurance policy for an additional premium (limits apply). Please also see our Article – Do You Treat & Teach or Do You Need A Training School Policy? 
  • Personal Accident and Sickness Insurance Policies or Income Protection Insurance – This type of insurance cover may be of particular importance for those that are self-employed and have no alternative income in the event of illness or accident. Balens offer and arrange an insurance policy designed to pay out either a lump sum or a weekly benefit (if selected) in the event of an accident, bodily injury to you and /or illness depending upon the type of insurance policy chosen. Please also see our Article – Personal Accident and Sickness Cover. 
  • Household Insurance – Please contact us to find out more about how we can assist you with protecting your buildings, contents and / or personal possessions. Also see our Article – Home Insurance for more information.

We have a comprehensive and well-thought out range of included activities and do not categorise or exclude any part of OT/Case Management activity whether individual or corporate. Activities include:

  • Access Auditors
  • Adaptations and Advice
  • Agency and Consultancy Work
  • Best Interest Assessor
  • Carers (individually or for an agency)
  • Case Management
  • Consultancy
  • Disability Aid Providers
  • Disability Products and Product Adaptations
  • Employment Agencies
  • Expert Witness Work
  • Medico-Legal work
  • Mobility Product Sales
  • Occupational Health
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Other types of Health Professional working with OTs
  • Rehabilitation Providers or Consultants
  • Routine Assessment Work
  • Sub-Contractors and Contracting
  • Therapeutic Work
  • For Corporates – i.e. Limited Companies, (except Sole Trader) Partnerships and those who employ or sub-contract, our scheme covers work carried out by employees and / or sub-contractors. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Contact Us

Our team is here to help you choose the right insurance for your business needs, provide guidance on claim prevention and support you in the event of any claims and/or incident that may lead to a claim.

Meet the Team Contact Us