Professional Liability Insurance for Social Workers & Social Services
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What is social services professional liability insurance?
If you’re a social worker, you may be held responsible for errors or omissions arising during your work with a client. While some costs may be covered by your professional organization’s insurance program or a commercial general liability Insurance policy, your legal expenses may not be fully covered.
EasyCover offers social worker professional liability insurance (also known as errors and omissions insurance or E&O). This unique form of insurance can protect you when the unexpected happens, offering coverage that will help pay for your legal costs should you be held liable for any alleged mistakes or omissions arising out of your work, and thus protecting you from financial loss or reputational harm.
Interested in purchasing your professional liability online in minutes?
Acera Insurance offers EasyCover where you can get a quote, bind your policy and pay online in only a few short minutes. Get comprehensive coverage and affordable rates quickly and easily.
Here are some of the benefits of EasyCover:
- Get free online quotes 24/7
- No long, confusing applications to fill out
- Purchase and manage your policy online
- Support by phone, email or chat
- Option to bundle with other coverages
What is professional liability insurance?
Professional liability insurance covers you against claims of errors, omissions, or negligence that were committed within your scope of practice, such as breach of confidentiality, poor advice, or failure to render a service.
Costs will be covered by professional liability insurance, including legal expenses, court settlements, and administrative costs.
It’s important to note, however, that there are exceptions to this rule. Professional liability insurance does not cover any intentionally wrongful, fraudulent, or illegal acts, as well as claims for bodily injury or property damage, violation of workers’ rights, or employment issues.
Why do you need social services professional liability insurance?
Examples of situations where social services professional liability insurance can be beneficial include the following:
- Complaint: A client has launched a complaint against you with your professional organization, but legal costs are not covered by the organization’s insurance.
- Error on documentation: It is discovered that you made an administrative error in a former client’s documents for their health insurer, and now they are holding you liable for the costs they allege resulted from that documentation mistake.
Who needs professional liability insurance for social workers?
EasyCover offers E&O insurance for social workers operating in wide range of roles, including:
Consulting
Social workers can be hired as consultants by academic institutions, government panels, or in the legal system as expert witnesses. Providing an expert opinion in these various situations can lead to legal challenges, damage to reputation, or other insurance liabilities.
Private practice
Much like psychologists, many social workers work as mental health therapists in private practice. Engaging in private practice presents many risks, including claims of negligence or malpractice. Social workers should always follow their province’s regulatory requirements and recommendations when working in private practice, including adequate training, registration, and insurance.
Contract positions
As a social worker who in a contract position, you may work with vulnerable individuals in high-liability situations, whether you are involved in outreach, healthcare, connecting clients to services, or teaching classes. Social worker insurance covers unexpected legal fees, so you can continue your work in your community with confidence.
With EasyCover by Acera Insurance social workers can rest easy knowing they are covered.
Professional liability insurance for social services in action
What does professional liability insurance for social workers cover? Here a few scenarios where a social services professional would need errors and omissions Insurance:
Negligence or poor advice allegations
Your organization could be held responsible if a social worker gives advice to someone who then causes harm to this person or someone else. Professional liability insurance for social workers is available to pay court costs, attorney fees, and settlements if you are involved in such a lawsuit.
Refusal to deliver services that were promised
There is always the possibility that a client will sue you if they are unhappy with your work. A foster home, for example, could be sued if it fails to provide appropriate care for a child who has special needs. Professional liability insurance covers the costs of a lawsuit if your social or human services organization is accused or convicted of not fulfilling its obligations.
Mistakes or professional oversight
Small businesses can be affected by a simple mistake. Your business could be facing a huge lawsuit if you or your group home fail to conduct a background check on a client.
Professional liability insurance for social workers vs. commercial general liability
CGL Insurance protects your company from third-party claims for bodily injury, property damage, or reputational damage resulting from professional activities or company operations.
CGL Insurance is essential if you rent, lease, or own office space, or if your home-based business has a need for it.
If you don’t own a practice and you are like most social workers, then you probably spend a lot of time in your car. Commercial vehicles are not covered by auto insurance, so you will need a CGL policy to use your car for work purposes.
However, professional liability insurance covers any alleged or actual mistakes you make as a social worker or student in practice. CGL covers allegations that are not directly related to your work but arise from your business operations. Both policies cover different risks, so they can be combined to protect your business from claims that are not directly related.
With EasyCover by Acera Insurance, you can bundle professional liability insurance and commercial general liability insurance for a cheaper rate.
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