Counsellors insurance

Counselling insurance

Get insurance cover as a professional counsellor, whether you work as an educator, trainer or supervisor.

The policy defends against any civil claims made or threatened against counsellors. It can also cover you for any award of damages or compensation should any claim against you be successful.

Our features and benefits

• Comprehensive specialist cover from as little as £1.79 per week*
• No excess on the core therapists insurance**
• Discount for members of all recognised professional associations such as British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and The United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).
• 24-hour commercial assistance and legal helpline
• Recommended by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
• Cover can include hypnotherapy, conative behavioural therapy and life coaching as well student counsellors in training (at no extra cost).

Plus, key optional extras if required

• Employers liability insurance
• Cyber insurance
• Management liability insurance
• Contents insurance.

What's covered in counselling insurance?

We’re always transparent about what’s included in our professional liability insurance. But if you’re not sure what kind of cover you need, our friendly team is happy to help.

Please note this list is not exhaustive – refer to full policy document for details.

What's insured?

• Professional indemnity/malpractice: Choose from £1.5 million up to £10 million. This insurance covers claims arising from your work as a talking therapist, supervisor or educator. Cover is provided on a full civil liability basis, which means it isn’t restricted just to allegations of professional negligence. With a choice of five cover levels, you can select a level to suit your business needs.
• Public and products liability: £10 million as standard. This is the insurance that deals with your public liability for causing bodily injury to people or damage to property due to your negligence causing an accident. For example, your client tripping and falling in your home or workplace.
• Complaints and disciplinary hearings: Up to £500 a day, providing full help and support should a complaint be made about you to your professional body or other regulators. This includes specialist help in submitting your response and legal representation at disciplinary hearings.
• Professional wills: Up to £5,000 ‒ cover in the event of death or incapacity to help with reallocation or secure destruction of client notes and records.
• Crisis containment: Up to £25,000 ‒ cover for expenses related to managing and mitigating a crisis specific to the counselling profession. As a counsellor, you’re at risk of encountering a situation that could potentially harm your reputation, professional standing or financial stability. Crisis containment cover can assist in responding effectively and efficiently to the crisis. The Oxygen policy will cover the costs incurred with a crisis containment provider such as; crisis management expenses, public relations and communications, legal support, crisis response planning and reputation protection.
• Directors and officers liability: Up to £100,000. This cover is for limited companies and is designed to provide financial support for key people within your business if they face allegations of personal wrongdoing. It works to protect directors, officers, partners and other company leaders in the event they stand accused of a wrongful act. This can include breach of duty of care, breach of trust, negligent errors, defamation and health and safety failure.

What is not insured?

• Public and products liability claims brought in US or Canadian courts.
• Professional indemnity claims brought in US or Canadian courts. The policy can be extended to include US/Canada jurisdiction – price and options are subject to terms and conditions.

Why choose us for your counselling insurance?

As a counsellor we know you're focused on supporting and guiding your clients through challenging times. However, giving this support also presents risks to you and your business. It's essential to have the right insurance in place that offers the necessary protection.

Our cover gives peace of mind for you and your business, including:

• Protection: Our professional liability insurance protects you so you can focus on supporting your clients.
• Professional advice and support: Throughout the life of your policy, we'll be on hand to help you with any queries, problems or issues you may have. We're here to support you should you need to make a claim.
• Saving you time: It's quick to get a quote and buy your insurance online. If you'd prefer to speak to a member of our experienced team, we're here to give you the help you need, whenever and however you need it.