Nursing Malpractice Insurance Terms to Know

Nursing malpractice insurance policy details can be confusing, overwhelming, or may even seem unnecessary.

Below is a list of nursing liability insurance coverage terms that you should familiarize yourself with as you research nurse malpractice insurance options.

Glossary of Common Terms You’ll Find in Nursing Liability Insurance Policies

Assault Upon You – covers expenses which nurses can incur from a bodily injury or damage to their personal property resulting from an assault while traveling to and from their place of employment
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Assets – a resource with economic value, whether that be completely monetary, or a material resource
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Biomedical Defense – coverage that protects against claims alleging bodily injury or damage arising from biomedical waste
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Damages Incurred – charges or punishment that a nursing professional is obligated to pay as a result of a malpractice dispute before malpractice insurance benefits are paid out
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Deductibles – the amount of money a nursing professional must pay before the insurance company will finance a claim
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Deposition fee coverage – financial assistance for fees that result from a deposition that the insured nurse is required to attend
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Employment Practices Liability – a type of liability insurance that covers wrongful acts arising from the employment process, including wrongful termination, discrimination, sexual harassment, and retaliation
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Extended Reporting Period – also known as tail coverage, extends coverage for incidents that happened during the time you had your policy, but a claim was not filed until after the policy was expired or canceled

A – E

F – M

First Aid coverage – financial help to insured nurses in the event of an emergency that requires immediate attention. Expenses can cover things such as the cost of an ambulance or emergency medical procedures
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Good Samaritan coverage – protects an insured off duty nurses who offer help in an emergency situation. They are protected from liability claims if an injury or accident occurs.
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HIPPA Defense – covers expenses that result from HIPAA infractions
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Incident – an event or occurrence that spurred a liability or medical malpractice claim
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Insurance Claim – a request for benefit compensation as a result of a covered incident
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Liable – legal responsibility for an action
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License Defense coverage – assists insured nursing professionals with expenses incurred from protecting their professional license due to an investigation or proceeding originating from a malpractice claim
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Loss of Earnings coverage – provides assistance for lost wages, costs, and expenses due to an insured nurses’ required attendance at a trial, hearing, or arbitration proceeding as a defendant
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Medical Payment coverage – reimburses third parties for medical expenses incurred to treat injuries sustained arising from business activities

Negligence – the failure to exercise care that is reasonably expected of a nursing professional
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Nursing Professionals Insurance Policy – a contract between an insurer and a nursing professional who purchased insurance that details what the insurer is legally obligated to pay if an incident were to arise.
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Nursing Professional Liability Insurance – also known as malpractice insurance, provides nurses with financial and legal protection from injuries and damages to patients and or property
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Nursing Professional Malpractice Insurance – used interchangeably with nursing liability insurance or nurse professional indemnity insurance, malpractice insurance for nursing professionals is designed to personally protect nurses from claims of negligence or improper treatment
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Premium – monthly or annual payment amount nursing professionals pay for malpractice insurance
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Risk Management – the process of mitigating the chances of something going wrong
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Sexual Misconduct coverage – provides indemnity to insured nursing professionals for improper sexual misconduct claims including assault, harassment, defamation, or improper handling of misconduct allegations
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Workplace/Premises Liability – protects landowners and tenants when someone gets hurt on their property due to dangerous conditions

N – Z

Do You Need Malpractice Insurance?

Owning an individual nurse insurance policy in your own name is advised. When a nurse carries an individual nurse malpractice insurance policy, they are minimizing risk to their personal assets or reputation. Before opting out of a liability insurance for nurses policy, make sure you know exactly what your employer’s liability policy covers and what your legal obligations are should you have to utilize the malpractice coverage under your employer’s policy.

The CM&F Advantage

Protecting Nurses Since 1947

CM&F was founded over a century ago. Through up and down markets, CM&F’s dedication to nursing professionals has never wavered. CM&F remains committed to making it easy and cost-effective to secure vital nurse professional liability insurance coverage with:

  • A++ Rated Insurance & Lowest Priced Nurse Liability Insurance Products
  • Outstanding Customer Service with a Direct Contact Line
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