This site uses cookies. Read our policy here...
Menu
…

Direct care insurance

Why do you need a direct care insurance specialist?

Having appropriate cover for when the unexpected happens is the main point of insurance, and no less so for people who employ a carer to help them at home.

Our Direct Care product has been designed for individuals who employ personal assistants or carers under the UK Government Initiative Scheme, receive direct payments, personalisation or individual budgets or privately fund the employment of carers or personal assistants.

We offer three levels of direct care insurance to give you flexibility, all of which include the following:

  • protection should your carer or personal assistant cause you injury whilst working for you
  • cover in the event of the theft of your belongings (including cash) by a carer or personal assistant
  • cover for the additional costs incurred should your carer or personal assistant fail to attend
  • access to a customer service helpline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

How our specialist direct care insurance experts can help you

We offer specialist advice and guidance for the care sector to ensure your business is properly protected. We can help you insure your business to cover what matters most and those who matter most to you. With a range of specialities across the team, we are in place to help.

GET IN TOUCH WITH A CARE INSURANCE EXPERT

Need expert advice? Call the care team now, or complete our online form and we’ll call you.

Click here to request a callback 0113 350 8712

Direct care - policy wording

Direct care - policy summary

Bronze cover package

Our bronze cover package includes:

Employers liability insurance
Up to £20 million per claim, if you are found to be legally responsible for an injury your carer or personal assistant incurs, whilst working for you.

Public liability insurance
Up to £5 million per claim if you, or your carer or personal assistant, are held legally liable for the injury or death of another person or damage to their property.

£62.50 (annual premium)

Buy now

Silver cover package

For added protection choose silver cover which includes everything in the bronze package plus:

Legal expenses
If you enter into a dispute with your carer or personal assistant you may need professional advice and possibly legal representation, particularly if the dispute went as far as an industrial tribunal.

Our silver package includes up to £100,000 of legal expenses which covers policyholders against the potential costs of legal action brought by or against them.

£78.50 (annual premium)

Buy now

Gold cover package

For even greater protection choose gold cover which includes everything in the silver package plus:

Personal accident
Personal accident cover is available up to age 90 if you or your carer or personal assistant suffers an accident whilst in the course of employment.

It provides the following benefits:
• £10,000 in the event of death
• up to £10,000 in the event of permanent loss of sight or limbs
• £500 fracture benefit

£88.50 (annual premium)

Buy now

Frequently asked questions

Q
Do I need Public Liability Insurance if I am self-employed carer?
A

 Yes. We would advise any business to hold such cover, whether you occupy a premises or whether you are working away, or visiting someone’s home.

Q
Do I need to provide the carer’s details? 
A
No. We don’t need to know who cares for you to take out a Direct Care insurance policy.
Q
Who’s name does the policy need to be under? 
A
The policy needs to be in the name of the person responsible for directing the carers in their duties, and arranging the carers pay and tax. This can be the care recipient, a parent, a guardian, other relative or trust. Please note we may ask for a power of attorney or list of trustees to be provided to effectively manage the policy.
Q
Do our carers need insurance as well? 
A
It is advisable that your carer has their own insurance policy for public liability to protect themselves. We can also provide individual carers insurance for your carers via our website, or they can call us on 0113 350 8712.
Q
Will the policy cover me if I have a slip/fall or an accident? 
A
The Personal Accident cover (Gold only) must be selected to give cover for an accident and this depends on the circumstances and injury. Please refer to pages 15 to 17 of the policy wording for the full table of benefits and exclusions. There is also an age limit of 90 years.
Q
My policy is due to renew. Do I need to do anything?
A
Yes. Your policy will not automatically renew. We will write to you or email you 30 days prior to your renewal date advising you of your renewal. We do not hold bank details or card details so we cannot automatically take payment to renew your policy. You must confirm to us that you want your policy to renew. Payment must be made prior to the renewal date either online, over the phone, by bank transfer or by cheque. You should not assume your policy has renewed until you have received confirmation in writing by us. If you are concerned that your policy has not renewed, please call us on 0113 350 8712.
Q
It's passed my renewal date. Can I still renew the policy?
A
No. Once your renewal date has passed you will need to purchase a new Gold, Silver or Bronze policy. This can be done online or over the phone. If you experience problems taking out a new policy online please let us know. If you do not renew your policy in time you will have a gap in cover. This means should a claim arise for the time you did not have insurance in place, the claim would not be covered.
Q
I'm struggling to set up a policy on my phone
A
If you continue to experience problems please call us on 0113 350 8712.
Q
I've taken out a policy but no longer need it. Can I cancel the policy?
A
The Direct Care policy can be cancelled within 14 days of taking out or renewing the policy and a full refund will be given in this time as long as no claims have been notified or made on the policy. A refund would be available after 14 days of taking out or renewing a policy, subject to the agreement from the insurer, Zurich Insurance Plc. and the days and time the policy has been in place being paid for.
Q
A third party is responsible for looking after my funding and paying the insurance premium. Can I still take out a policy?
A
Yes. Setting up a policy online requires payment at the time of inception, in order for us to invoice your payment group please call us on 0113 350 8712 to set up the policy.

Read the latest care insurance articles

The doctor will see you now

Earlier this month the British Medical Association (BMA) hit the headlines when they announced the results of a recent survey of doctors.

View
Getting from good to outstanding with the CQC

When your care services business is at full stretch trying to cope with staff shortages and strained resources, it can be a challenge to achieve an outstanding rating from the CQC.

View
What's causing the healthcare recruitment crisis? 

Recruiting and retaining staff has become a significant struggle for the healthcare sector. However, there is no one direct cause for this struggle.

View