Insurance for Social Workers

Professional liability insurance, sometimes called errors and omissions insurance (E&O insurance), is insurance for claims against businesses that provide professional and personal services – for social work businesses like yours.

When is it important to have professional liability insurance? Here are a few real-world examples relevant to your industry:

• Negligence: A social worker is working with a new family client. The father is short tempered, the mother is shy and retiring, and the teenage daughter is volatile and rebellious. When the daughter runs away from home, the father blames the social worker. He demands a refund and sues the social worker for damages. Professional liability insurance could protect the social worker if such a claim is made.
• Sexual misconduct: A female social worker is treating a young adolescent male client. Realizing the client is developing a crush on her, she advises him to seek treatment with a different professional. He reacts angrily and files suit against the social worker, alleging that she behaved inappropriately toward him. Professional liability insurance protects social workers against claims of sexual misconduct and negligence and will appoint an attorney to defend them if needed.

Protect your business from claims of damages, unsatisfied clients, and even sexual misconduct with professional liability insurance.

Hiscox is here to help you and other social work professionals find the best insurance possible. Learn more about professional liability insurance on our website, or contact us with any questions or concerns.

General liability insurance, sometimes called Commercial General Liability (CGL), protects your business from another person or business’s claims of bodily injury, associated medical costs, and damage to property.

Here are a few examples to illustrate why general liability insurance for social workers is essential:

• Personal injury: A social worker rents an office in a medical professional building. A family with two small children attends a therapy session at the social worker’s office. The children fall and injure themselves while playing on the office furniture. Both children require medical attention. The family sues the social worker for pain and suffering and medical costs. General liability insurance could protect social workers against third-party claims for personal injury.
• Bodily injury: A client sits too far back in an office chair and loses her balance. She falls to the tile floor and injures herself. General liability insurance may protect against third-party claims for bodily injury and related medical costs.
• Slander: A client overhears their social worker making disparaging and untrue remarks about another client. He learns of the conversation and decides to sue the social worker for slander. General liability insurance could protect against third-party claims of slander, property damage, bodily injury and associated medical costs. 

Still have questions? We’re here to answer each and every one of them. Learn more about general liability insurance costs to decide which coverage is best for your business.