A lot of dangerous jobs exist such as tree cutting, high-rise window cleaning, and construction. Occupational therapists help individuals recover and return to work after they experience an accident.
Just like physical therapy, insurance is a crucial factor that cannot be ignored when it comes to occupational therapy. Occupational therapy and insurance go hand in hand, as insurance coverage provides protection and peace of mind to the therapists and their clients.
You work hard to help your clients improve their quality of life. However, no matter how careful you are, accidents can happen. That's why it's important to have the right occupational therapy insurance coverage to protect yourself and your practice. In this article, we'll go over the different types of insurance available to occupational therapists, the costs, and the best insurance companies to consider.
CoverWallet | NEXT (Best) | Thimble | Hiscox | The Hartford | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Per occurrence limit | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 |
Aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 |
Products and completed operations aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
Advertising injury coverage aggregate limit | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
Tenant’s legal liability coverage limit | $300,000/$1,000,000 | $300,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 | $1,000,000 |
Waiver of subrogation included? | Yes | No | Included | Can be included | No |
Hired/non-owned auto liability coverage included? | Yes | No | No | Can be included | Can be included |
Equipment breakdown floater included? | No | Yes | Yes | Can be included | Can be included |
Can you get a certificate of insurance online? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Name additional insureds? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Deductible | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
General liability insurance is basic coverage that protects you and your practice from bodily injury or property damage claims. Occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) can also benefit from liability insurance coverage as they are also involved in providing therapy services to patients.
Common situations where general liability insurance for occupational therapy assistants and licensed therapists can come in handy include slip and fall accidents in your office, damage to a client's property during a therapy session, or a client getting injured during a therapy session.
Some add-ons to the general liability policy included in your occupational therapist insurance package are as follows:
Cyber liability coverage–Protects against data breaches and cyber-attacks
Product liability coverage–Protects against claims related to products you sell or use in your practice
Tools and equipment coverage–This add-on allows general liability insurance to grant a reimbursement in case a covered business equipment gets damaged or lost because of fire, theft, vandalism, and other covered perils
Coverage limits for general liability insurance vary depending on the policy but expect at least $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate.
Yes, you can get occupational therapy liability insurance if you work from home as an occupational therapist. Many insurance providers offer coverage for home-based businesses, including those in the healthcare industry. However, it's important to check with your insurance provider to ensure that your specific work-from-home situation is covered under the policy.
CoverWallet | NEXT | Thimble (Best) | Hiscox | The Hartford | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Per occurrence limit | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
Aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $2,000,000 |
Name additional insureds? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Waiver of subrogation included? | Yes | No | Yes | Can be included | No |
HIPAA coverage included? | No | No | No | No | No |
Sexual misconduct coverage included? | No | No | No | No | Can be included |
License defense coverage included? | No | No | No | No | Can be included |
Deductible | $500 | $500 | $500 | $50/$10,000 | $500 |
Professional liability insurance, also known as occupational therapy malpractice insurance provides coverage for claims made against therapists due to alleged negligence or errors while providing therapy services.
The costs covered by professional liability insurance for occupational therapists include legal fees, court costs, and settlement or judgment amounts up to the policy limit. It may also cover the costs of disciplinary proceedings by a state licensing board or professional association. However, coverage may vary between insurance providers, so it's important to read and understand the policy before purchasing.
Add-ons to professional liability insurance for occupational therapy may include:
License defense coverage–This grants coverage for legal costs in case licensing boards decide to conduct an investigation following a malpractice claim against your services
Sexual abuse and molestation coverage–Sexual abuse and molestation coverage grants coverage for legal expenses if you’re accused of harassment, assault, and other related acts
HIPAA coverage–This add-on allows professional liability insurance to cover claims filed because you allegedly committed violations of the HIPAA act
Some policies have limits as low as $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate, while others may provide coverage up to $1 million or more.
Get all the best quotes from leading providers in a click of a button!
CoverWallet | NEXT (Best) | Thimble | Hiscox | The Hartford | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Building coverage limit (minimum) | $50,000 | $260,000 | $25,000/$500,000 | $25,000 | $60,000 |
Contents coverage limit (minimum) | $50,000 | $22,000 | $25,000/$500,000 | $25,000 | $60,000 |
Outdoor signs | Excluded | $2,500 | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded |
Accounts receivable | Excluded | Excluded | $5,000/10,000 | Included | Excluded |
Money and securities | Excluded | $2,500 | $1,000 | Included | Excluded |
Lock and keys | Excluded | $2,500 | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded |
Business interruption floater | Excluded | Included | Included | Included | Excluded |
Equipment breakdown floater | Excluded | Included | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded |
Inland marine insurance floater | Excluded | Excluded | $10,000 | Excluded | Excluded |
Employee dishonesty floater | Excluded | $5,000 | $2,500 | Included | Excluded |
Commercial property insurance is an insurance policy that provides coverage for occupational therapists' business property, such as buildings and equipment in case of damage or loss due to unforeseen events such as fire, theft, volcanic action, lightning, sinkhole collapse, aircraft, winds, and other covered perils.
The costs covered by commercial property insurance for occupational therapists typically include:
Repairs or replacement of damaged or lost property
The cost of temporarily relocating the business during repairs
Lost income during the period of repair or replacement
Add-ons to commercial property insurance for occupational therapists may include
Business interruption coverage–Provides coverage for lost income and ongoing expenses during a period of business interruption due to a covered loss
Equipment breakdown coverage–Covers the cost of repairing or replacing damaged equipment due to mechanical or electrical breakdowns
The coverage limit of commercial property insurance for occupational therapists typically ranges from $50, 000 to $500,000 or even more.
CoverWallet | Thimble (Best) | NEXT | Hiscox | The Hartford | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
General liability aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $300,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 |
Commercial property coverage limit | $50,000 | $500,000 | $260,000 | $25,000 | $75,000 |
Optional policies can be added? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Name additional insureds for free? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
BOP discount? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
A business owner’s policy (BOP) is a type of insurance policy that combines various coverages, including general liability and property insurance, into a single package. It is designed to provide occupational therapists with comprehensive coverage for a variety of business-related risks.
The costs covered by a BOP for occupational therapists may include:
Property damage caused by fire, theft, or natural disasters
General liability claims arising from bodily injury, property damage, or advertising injury
Business interruption losses due to a covered event that forces the practice to temporarily shut down
Employee dishonesty or theft
Personal and advertising injury
Add-ons to a BOP for occupational therapists may include:
Professional liability insurance to cover claims arising from alleged errors or omissions in the provision of professional services
Employment practices liability insurance to cover claims of discrimination, harassment, or wrongful termination by employees
Cyber liability insurance to cover costs associated with data breaches and cyberattacks
Umbrella insurance to provide additional liability coverage beyond the policy limits of the BOP
The coverage limit for a BOP varies depending on the policy and provider. However, it is typically designed to provide comprehensive coverage for small to medium-sized businesses with coverage limits ranging from $1 million to $5 million or more.
A BOP combines various types of insurance coverage into a single policy, while separate insurance policies cover specific types of risks individually. While a BOP may be more convenient and cost-effective for small to medium-sized businesses, it may not provide the same level of coverage as separate policies for each type of risk.
NEXT | Thimble | Hiscox | The Hartford | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Aggregate limit | $3,000/$10,000 | $2,500/$5,000 | $15,000/$25,000 | $5,000-$10,000 |
Covers hired and borrowed equipment? | $3,000/$10,000 | $2,500/$5,000 | No | Yes |
Miscellaneous equipment also covered? | $5,000/$10,000 | No | Yes | Yes |
Offered as an endorsement to general liability insurance? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Deductible | $500 | $500 | $0 | $0 |
Tools and equipment insurance provides coverage for the tools, equipment, and supplies used by occupational therapists in their practice. This insurance protects against loss or damage to the essential items required to provide occupational therapy services.
Tools and equipment Insurance typically covers the cost of repairing or replacing damaged or lost items you use. It can also provide coverage for stolen items or damage caused by accidents, natural disasters, or other unexpected events.
The coverage limit for tools and equipment insurance varies. Some policies have limits as low as $5,000 per occurrence, while others may provide coverage up to $100,000 or more.
If you use a vehicle for your occupational therapy practice, you may need commercial auto insurance to protect yourself against accidents and other unexpected events. Commercial auto insurance covers the costs of
Damage to your vehicle
Bodily injury or death in case of an accident
Damage to other people's vehicles or property
The coverage limit for commercial auto insurance for occupational therapists typically ranges from $100,000 to $1 million depending on the insurance provider and the specific policy.
The average cost of malpractice insurance for occupational therapists is $55 per month or $660 per year for a $1 million worth of coverage. Malpractice insurance for occupational therapist assistants is typically less expensive than for occupational therapists as they have a lower level of responsibility and liability. On average, the cost of malpractice insurance for occupational therapist assistants can range from $100 to $500 per year.
On the other hand, general liability insurance is $40 per month or $480 per year. Here’s a table showing the best occupational therapy insurance companies. Use this to know which provides comprehensive coverage at the right price.
Company | Cost per Month | Cost per Year | Best For |
---|---|---|---|
NEXT | $15 | $180 | Best overall; Fastest general liability insurance for occupational therapists |
The Hartford | $20 | $240 | Established occupational therapy businesses seeking specialized coverage |
Hiscox | $30 | $360 | Established occupational therapy businesses needing customizable coverage options |
CoverWallet | $36 | $432 | Comparing insurance quotes from multiple providers online |
Tivly | $37 | $444 | Comparing occupational therapy insurance quotes over the phone |
Thimble | $45 | $540 | Occupational therapists needing temporary or flexible insurance coverage |
AOTA | $75 | $900 | Occupational therapists seeking professional resources and support from a membership association |
HPSO | $80 | $960 | Occupational therapists looking for a well-established and financially stable insurance provider with a range of coverage options and access to risk management resources |
Proliability | $83 | $996 | Occupational therapists looking for reliable coverage from an established insurance provider |
You can further get an idea of the average occupational therapy malpractice insurance cost as well as other business insurance solutions by comparing quotes. Start by clicking the “Get Quotes” button on this page.
Get all the best quotes from leading providers in a click of a button!
Consider these companies for the best occupational therapy liability insurance. Read some of the reviews below to know their pros, cons, and average rate for a $1 million general liability insurance.
NEXT Insurance provides a seamless and intuitive digital experience, making it easy for occupational therapists to get coverage online
They offer customizable policies tailored to the specific needs of occupational therapists
NEXT has a user-friendly mobile app that allows policyholders to manage their policies on the go.
NEXT Insurance may not have as wide of a range of coverage options compared to other providers
NEXT was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Palo Alto, California. The company has an A- AM Best rating and offers a range of insurance policies, including professional liability, general liability, and commercial auto insurance. Their professional liability insurance for occupational therapists offers a $300,000-$2 million per occurrence and aggregate limit.
Best for: Best overall; Fastest general liability insurance for occupational therapists
Average cost: $15 per month
Our rating: 10/10
CoverWallet provides easy online quotes and comparisons from multiple insurance providers
They offer customizable policies tailored to the specific needs of occupational therapists
CoverWallet is known for its user-friendly website and excellent customer service
Some policies may be more expensive than other providers
CoverWallet was founded in 2015 and is based in New York City. The company has an A+ AM Best rating and offers a variety of insurance policies, including general liability, professional liability, and workers' compensation insurance.
Best for: Comparing insurance quotes from multiple providers online
Average cost: $36 per month
Our rating: 10/10
Hartford is a reputable and experienced insurance provider
They offer specialized policies for occupational therapists
Customers can easily manage their policies through the company's online portal
Hartford may not be the most affordable option for some occupational therapists
The Hartford is a well-known insurance company that provides a wide range of insurance products, including business insurance. They offer occupational therapy liability insurance such as general liability, cyber liability, employer’s liability, and malpractice insurance. The company has been in business for over 200 years and has an A+ rating from AM Best.
Best for: Established occupational therapy businesses seeking specialized coverage
Average cost: $20 per month
Our rating: 9/10
Tivly offers customizable insurance policies tailored to the needs of occupational therapy businesses
Their policies include cyber liability insurance, which can be essential for protecting sensitive patient information
Tivly has a user-friendly online platform that makes it easy to manage policies
As a newer company, Tivly may not have as much experience as some of the other providers on this list
Tivly is a newer insurance company founded in 2009. The company has an A- AM Best rating and offers professional liability insurance, general liability insurance, commercial property, and other business insurance solutions with the help of its partners. Call a representative now to compare quotes over the phone.
Best for: Comparing occupational therapy insurance quotes over the phone
Average cost: $37 per month
Our rating: 8/10
Thimble offers flexible coverage options that allow occupational therapists to purchase insurance only when they need it
Their online platform is straightforward to use
Thimble offers fast and easy online quotes
On-demand insurance coverage can be more expensive than traditional policies in the long run
Thimble was founded in 2016 and is based in New York City. The company has an A- AM Best rating and offers on-demand insurance policies like general liability, commercial property, and more. Thimble is a good option if you’re looking for low occupational therapy malpractice insurance cost because the policy is offered as a bundle to general liability insurance.
Best for: Occupational therapists needing temporary or flexible insurance coverage
Average cost: $45 per month
Our rating: 7/10
Hiscox is a reputable and experienced insurance provider with a global presence
Their policies are customizable to meet the specific needs of occupational therapists
Hiscox has a user-friendly online platform for managing policies
Hiscox may be more expensive than some other providers on this list
Hiscox has been in business for over 100 years and is based in Bermuda. The company has an A AM Best rating and offers a range of insurance policies, including general liability, professional liability, and cyber liability insurance. Their professional liability insurance for occupational therapists covers claims of negligence or errors made while providing therapy services.
Best for: Established occupational therapy businesses needing customizable coverage options
Average cost: $30 per month
Our rating: 8/10
AOTA offers valuable resources and information on insurance options
As a professional association, AOTA provides a community and support network for its members
AOTA does not directly offer insurance policies, which may be a drawback for occupational therapists looking for a one-stop shop for insurance needs
The American Occupational Therapy Association is a non-profit professional association for occupational therapists in the United States. It was founded in 1917 and is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland. AOTA occupational therapy liability insurance coverage options are not direct, but they provide resources and information to its members on insurance options and coverage.
Best for: Occupational therapists seeking professional resources and support from a membership association
Average cost: $75 per month
Our rating: 8/10
Proliability has been in business for over 75 years and has strong financial backing from its parent company
Their policies can be customized to meet the unique needs of occupational therapists, including coverage for cyber liability and data breaches
Proliability offers a user-friendly online platform for managing policies and obtaining quotes
Their policies may not offer as much flexibility or customization as some of the other providers on this list
Proliability is a subsidiary of Mercer Consumer, a division of Marsh & McLennan Companies. They offer professional liability insurance for a variety of healthcare professionals, including occupational therapists. Proliability occupational therapy insurance policies has a $1 million-$3 million limit, HIPAA coverage add-on, sexual abuse add-on, and more.
Best for: Occupational therapists looking for reliable coverage from an established insurance provider
Average cost: $83 per month
Our rating: 8/10
HPSO is a well-established and financially stable insurance provider with an A++ rating from A.M. Best
They offer a range of coverage options, including professional liability insurance, general liability insurance, and cyber liability insurance
Policyholders have access to risk management resources and legal consultation services
HPSO has a 24/7 hotline for policyholders to call for assistance
HPSO's policies may be more expensive than some of the newer insurance providers on this list
Some policyholders have reported difficulty with the claims process
Healthcare Providers Service Organization is a national insurance provider that offers occupational therapy malpractice insurance to healthcare professionals, including occupational therapists. Founded in 1990 and based in Chicago, Illinois, HPSO is rated A+ by A.M. Best, indicating trusty financial strength and stability.
Best for: Occupational therapists looking for a well-established and financially stable insurance provider with a range of coverage options and access to risk management resources
Average cost: $80 per month
Our rating: 9/10
Use anyone except Employers. Period. They are non-transparent and shameful. After I complained long enough to warrant a call from a supervisor, the supervisor called back from a PRIVATE NUMBER (no caller ID), left a message that they are not reversing their decision (without any communication with me), and failed to leave a phone number for me to call back. She was hiding! They also fact find via email and phone calls, which is terrific for speed and communication. However, after setting a precedence of email or phone calls, they send time sensitive information via email, without any heads up... they are hoping you miss it and forfeit via expiration. Evil policies. Go elsewhere.
This place is an absolute joke of a company and should be ashamed of the way they conduct business. I was hurt on the job at the end of July and it took them just shy of 7 weeks to issue out a paycheck to me. Yes the amount was back dated but still. Not many have the luxury of not receiving a paycheck for almost 2 months. To top it all off, the original adjuster marked me down for the wrong state which caused a problem from the get go, I've had 3 different adjusters now since each one can't seem to figure out the simplicity of my claim. All my paperwork which includes, my job, house, and drs visits all are from the same state and city but yet some how I have been filed under a completely different state 1500 miles away. They do not answer your phone calls or emails no matter how many you leave. I've had to escalate my frustrations to the supervisors of each of these individuals in order to even get some kind of response. I've had more communication and information given to me about my claim from the customer service representatives then the actual adjusters.......... please tell me how that works?! A serious overhaul needs to happen here in order to serve your clients the way they deserve to be taken care of. 10/10 do not recommend this company to a single soul on earth
I have never had the displeasure of working with a more incompetent and disrespectful person in my life. I’m an injured worker and the adjuster that was assigned to my case was named Carrie Furgeson. In the past 6 weeks that I’ve been injured and out of work I have only been able to get ahold of her twice, not for lack of trying. I have left countless voicemails, countless emails, and she ignores them all. When I am finally able to get ahold of her I’m greeted with terrible customer service. She is rude, she talks over me and I’m hardly able to get a word in edgewise. She spelled my name wrong on my documents even after I spelled it for her properly countless times, this caused a whole new issue with my bank. I have bill collectors from the hospital calling me demanding payment and Carrie Furgeson won’t do a single thing to help, or to get them paid. All of my documentation is in Colorado, my job is in Colorado, my address is in Colorado, all my Dr offices and appointments have been in Colorado and Carrie still managed to hold my claim because she wasn’t sure what state she needed to file it under. It’s been 6 weeks since my Injury and my company still hasn’t received the wage paperwork to fill out so they can get me my correct wages. When she’s not ignoring me she’s answering my questions with “I don’t know” well I don’t know how she got this job, because apparently she doesn’t know anything about it. She is a disgusting morose individual inside and out and I genuinely wish her the worst in all of her future endeavors. I highly recommend you don’t use this company. Please if you are a business owner and your looking into this company please don’t use them. I’m sure they have the cheapest payment and that’s why companies use them in the first place, but you will be doing your employees a grave disservice by forcing them to venture into this absolute dumpster fire of a company. I would rate 0/5 if possible but 1 was the lowest I was allowed.
Their general liability insurance purchase process is simply the best online experience I've ever had in my life!
As long as they cover your line of business, you're literally covered! best rates, best coverage, best online experience, best professionals, can't be happier that I chose them!