Remember to indicate GCCA as your chapter!
LIABILITY INSURANCE
Professional Liability Insurance is an important safe guard for you to have as a counselor. Many people wrongfully assume that they are automatically covered by an agency or practice where they work. Get the facts before it's too late. For those who also work as counselor educators, please note that additional insurance is required to cover you at work. For more information, please contact a professional liability insurance company.
Four Myths about Malpractice Suits and Insurance
[Extracted from a HPSO advertisement in Counseling Today, March 2008, an American Counseling Association Publication]
Myth #1: An individual malpractice insurance policy is an unnecessary expense if your employer already provides coverage for you.
Fact #1: Your employer's malpractice plan is geared to focus on its own interest during a lawsuit--not yours. The main benefit of having your own policy is that it protects you and you alone. You'll have peace of mind knowing that your interests will be the top priority. Having you own coverage is worth it because you never know when you'll need it.
Myth #2: You are more likely to be sued if you carry an individual malpractice insurance policy in addition to employer-provided coverage.
Fact #2: The truth is, no one can know whether you've purchased an individual policy. If you are named in a lawsuit, you insurance status will not be uncovered until the "discovery phase" of the trial. At that point, you've already been named in the suit and you need to defend yourself.
Myth #3: Plaintiffs' attorneys will keep you on the defendant list in a lawsuit if they find out that you have your own insurance in addition to employer-provided insurance.
Fact #3: If the plaintiff's attorneys believe that you were even remotely involved in an incident or could help strengthen their case, you'll stay in court--whether or not you have your own insurance.
Myth #4: If you are careful with your clients, you are unlikely to be sued--and therefore don't need your own insurance.
Fact #4: You are ALWAYS under the risk of being sued. If a client even perceives there was harm done as a result of you providing (or failing to provide) services, that client could sue. If there are gaps in your employer's plan--and it's not uncommon--you may benefit from carrying your own insurance.
Resources:
Read more about the importance of liability insurance. http://www.hpso.com/profession/counselor.jsp
Two Liability Insurance Companies: