Physical Therapist Liability Insurance
25 Terms to Know

Physical therapist liability insurance policy details can be confusing, overwhelming, or may even seem unnecessary.

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

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

Assault Upon You – covers expenses which physical therapists 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

Assets – a resource with economic value, whether that be completely monetary, or a material resource

Biomedical Defense – coverage that protects against claims alleging bodily injury or damage arising from biomedical waste

Damages Incurred – charges or punishment that a physical therapist is obligated to pay as a result of a malpractice dispute before malpractice insurance benefits are paid out?

Deductibles – the amount of money a physical therapist must pay before the insurance company will finance a claim

Deposition Fee Coverage – financial assistance for fees that result from a deposition that the insured PT 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

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 PTs 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 physical therapist who offer help in an emergency situation. They are protected from liability claims if an injury or accident occurs.
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HIPAA Defense – covers expenses that result from HIPAA infractions

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

Liable – legal responsibility for an action

License Defense Coverage – assists insured PTs 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 PTs 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 physical therapist.

PT Insurance Policy – a contract between an insurer and a physical therapist who purchased insurance that details what the insurer is legally obligated to pay if an incident were to arise
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Physical Therapy Professional Liability Insurance – also known as malpractice insurance, provides physical therapists with financial and legal protection from injuries and damages to patients and or property
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Physical Therapists Malpractice Insurance – used interchangeably with physical therapist liability insurance, malpractice insurance for physical therapists is designed to protect PT professionals from claims of negligence or improper treatment
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Premium – monthly or annual payment amount physical therapists 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 physical therapists 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 physical therapy insurance policy in your own name is advised. When a physical therapist carries an individual PT malpractice insurance policy, they are minimizing risk to their personal assets or reputation. Before opting out of an individual malpractice insurance 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

PTs Save an Average Annual Savings of
up to 50% at CM&F

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

  • A++ Rated Insurance & Lowest Priced Physical Therapy Liability Insurance Products
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  • 24/7 Access to Your Personal Online Document Archive