Question 1

Do you offer group and corporate coverage?

Accepted Answer

We offer comprehensive policies for Partnerships, Professional Corporations (incorporated as a P.C. or P.A.), LLCs/LLPs/PLLCs, and General Business Corporations. Please see 'Additional Resources'  on The Social Worker Profession page for details on how to apply. You can also call our office at 800.421.6694 to speak with an expert and to get a quote.

Question 2

How do I sign up for my free subscription to Psychology Today?

Accepted Answer

Policyholders who are first-time subscribers may sign up for their free 6-month listing in Psychology Today by clicking here.

Question 3

Does the social worker professional liability insurance policy have a deductible?

Accepted Answer

No, our professional liability policies do not carry deductibles, ensuring that covered losses are paid from the first dollar incurred.

Question 4

What’s the difference between occurrence-based and claims-made insurance?

Accepted Answer

Occurrence-based insurance covers you for claims related to incidents that happened during an insurance policy, no matter when the claim is made. This type of policy never expires. Claims-made insurance covers claims that occur during a policy period and are reported while the policy is active. At the time of your retirement, an Extended Reporting Period ('Tail') option is usually provided for free converting your policy to an Occurrence type policy that never expires.

Question 5

Am I covered if I have a therapy animal I use during treatment?

Accepted Answer

Our policy covers you as a licensed mental health professional. As such, the therapy portion of the  treatment would be covered under the policy. It does not contemplate the possibility of Property Damage and/or Bodily Injury occurring as the result of your use of a therapy animal in treatment. It is intended to cover you for the rendering of Professional Services whether with or without a therapy animal.

Question 6

Does my policy cover telehealth?

Accepted Answer

Yes, your policy includes coverage for telebehavioral health services. Telehealth is treated the same as face-to-face services, as long as you abide by the state licensure guidelines based on your client's location and as long as you are utilizing a HIPAA-compliant platform to deliver the telehealth services.

Question 7

Does my policy cover multiple licenses I hold in other states?

Accepted Answer

Yes, your policy will cover your services in multiple states as long as you are abiding by the state's guidelines and licensure regulations for Social Work practices. You do not require a policy for each state in which you practice or hold a license.

Question 8

Do I need to hold membership in any association to get an insurance policy?

Accepted Answer

No, you are not required to hold membership in an association to obtain a policy.

Question 9

Who is eligible to purchase the Social Worker Professional Liability Insurance?

Accepted Answer

We insure licensed social workers including LCSWs and LMSWs.  You are eligible for coverage if you hold a minimum of a bachelors degree in the field of social work, providing that you have supervision by a masters level mental health professional, or if you hold a masters degree or above

Question 10

Are there coverage options for social workers providing teletherapy or remote counseling?

Accepted Answer

Yes, our policy already has built in coverage  for social workers offering teletherapy or remote counseling, providing the same level of protection as in-person sessions as long as you abide by the state licensure requirements based on your client’s physical location at the time of treatment and provided you are using a HIPAA compliant platform to deliver the telehealth services.

Question 11

Does my policy cover social work provided in schools or community centers?

Accepted Answer

Yes, your policy covers services provided in various settings, including schools and community centers, ensuring comprehensive protection wherever you practice (provided, of course, that there are no excluded locations attached to your policy at the time of issuance).

Question 12

How does my insurance protect me from client claims of emotional distress or breach of confidentiality?

Accepted Answer

Your professional liability insurance protects you by covering legal defense costs, settlements, and judgments in the event a patient pursues a claim for emotional distress or breach of confidentiality, ensuring your practice and reputation are safeguarded.

Question 13

How much insurance do I need?

Accepted Answer

The amount of insurance you need may depend on your employer’s requirements, contractual obligations and /or state requirements depending on your profession. With that said, the most commonly held limits are  $1,000,000 per claim and $3,000,000 aggregate coverage.

Question 14

Who provides the insurance coverage?

Accepted Answer

The coverage is provided by American Professional Agency, Inc., underwritten by Allied World Insurance Company, and its member companies.

Question 15

Why do my premium rates increase over the first 5 years?

Accepted Answer

All Professional Liability Claims Made insurance policies, issued by all insuring companies, have step rates which gradually increase over time until they mature. While each company sets the number of step rate increases based upon actuarial analysis, our policies mature after year 5 meaning no additional rate increases would apply unless changes to the coverage provided are requested by the policyholder.

Question 16

How soon may I obtain proof of coverage?

Accepted Answer

Proof of coverage may be issued on the same day your application is approved, and payment is received. Your certificate of insurance will be emailed to you (usually by the next business day after approval and payment). A Declarations page will be sent to you via USPS shortly thereafter.