Professional Liability Insurance (PLI) is provided for eligible members of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) subject to policy terms and conditions, to cover your individual work. However, if you deliver services through a limited company/partnership, employ people and/or are involved in activities outside the scope of physiotherapy practice, you may require additional insurance.
How you set up your business will affect what insurance you need, and we would recommend that you take your own insurance advice, either from our broker or from another specialist broker regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. You are responsible for establishing the right level of insurance cover and it is essential that you are properly covered.
Making an informed business decision, particularly with regard to contracts and insurance provisions, requires appropriate legal advice that you may need to pay for. The CSP cannot provide legal advice for such matters.
Sole practitioners
- If you are a sole trader and don’t employ any other staff the CSP PLI scheme will cover you for your medical malpractice (professional liability) and public liability risks for your individual work, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy.
- If you carry a lot of stock or other business assets, or have premises, you may need other covers.
Limited Companies
- The CSP PLI scheme does provide some cover for some types of Limited Company, subject to eligibility limits including a turnover cap of £200,000.00 per annum. There is also an ‘Indemnity to Principal’ clause within the CSP scheme that offers medical malpractice (professional liability) to sole trader CSP members operating as limited companies, subject to eligibility criteria. You should contact James Hallam to discuss your specific circumstances.
Small Businesses
- Businesses comprising of private limited companies or partnerships owned entirely by CSP members are now included within the CSP Member’s Medical Professional Liability insurance, provided annual turnover does not exceed £200,000.00 and subject to policy terms and conditions.
- Corporate entities including private limited companies and partnerships owned solely by CSP members with an annual turnover over £200,000.00 can purchase similar cover as an extension to the Member’s PLI scheme at discounted rates. Please contact James Hallam directly for more information and to apply.
- The CSP PLI scheme includes cover for 'silent' shareholders subject to policy terms and conditions. The main caveat is that any silent shareholder must not be a current or former qualified clinician. Please contact James Hallam for further advice.
Larger Businesses
- If you run a company with a turnover more than £200,000.00, you will need to take individual advice on your company’s medical malpractice insurance needs and you are not eligible for the CSP small business cover.
Corporate Insurance
- An organisation is a separate legal entity that can be sued in its own right. A corporate entity has legal responsibilities to its employees including its directors, and others, and for any claims arising from their work for the entity. Not all the liabilities that a corporate body may be exposed to can be passed down on to an individual’s medical malpractice and professional indemnity.
- Organisations may be exposed to financial risk if your company suffers losses from a claim that is not indemnified. You must take proper insurance and legal advice to decide what action you need to take.
Further Information
For specific insurance-related enquiries, contact James Hallam, the CSP's insurance brokers:
James Hallam
Saxon House
Duke Street
Chelmsford
Essex CM1 1HT