Insurance for personal care assistants

Professional liability insurance—also called E&O Insurance—provides numerous potential benefits to personal care assistants, including coverage for personal injury (libel and slander), property damage, bodily injury, defense costs and negligence. Although events such as fraudulent acts are not covered by liability insurance, this form of insurance is very important for anyone who regularly provides professional services or advises clients.

• Negligence: The family of a client sues a personal care assistant when the client is hospitalized with an infection. They claim that the care assistant failed to change the dressings from a recent surgery, which led to the infection. We may cover defense costs as well as any settlement or judgment, up to the policy limits of liability.

• Sexual misconduct: A client has had a personal care assistant for years and starts speaking and acting as if the relationship was more. The personal care assistant recognizes that this is happening and asks that the patient find a different care giver. The client sues for abandonment and claims the personal care assistant initiated the inappropriate relationship. Professional liability insurance could protect you against claims of negligence even if you haven’t done anything wrong. 

When a client reacts negatively to treatment, accuses you of breaching a confidentiality agreement, or otherwise feels as if they have been damaged in some way by the services you provide, the risk of getting sued can exist. You can protect yourself by getting professional liability insurance—a crucial tool for providing peace of mind to personal care assistants.    

In addition to times where business owners can benefit from holding professional liability insurance, there are some scenarios that are not typically covered under this type of policy. General Liability—also called Commercial General Liability (CGL)—covers business owners against property damage, claims of bodily injury and any associated medical costs.

• Bodily injury: An elderly client falls and breaks her hip while you are at her home. Her family alleges that you did not keep her apartment clear of obstructions and claims that you are at fault for her injuries. We could cover the client’s claim and medical expenses up to your limits of liability.

• Property damage: A personal care assistant is in a client’s home, knocks over and breaks an expensive antique vase. We may cover the cost to replace the vase, up to the limits of your liability.

• Personal injury: A personal care assistant is at lunch. He talks to the owner of the shop about one of their clients in a false and unflattering way. The client learns of this discussion and sues for slander. We may cover the subsequent claim, up to the policy limits of liability, and pay for an attorney if necessary.

Though your property won't usually be covered under a personal care assistant plan, damage sustained to third-party property could be.

Learn more about general liability insurance costs.