There are a number of insurance policies available for social workers. All these policies are offer cover on different things. Here we are going to discuss about the malpractice insurance policy.
What is a malpractice insurance policy?
Malpractice insurance is a type of insurance that is especially designed for social workers. It helps them preventing themselves from being financially constraint in the event of lawsuit. However, the employers of social workers also hold the insurance policy against the malpractice lawsuits.
Professional social workers often possess a separate insurance policy as an additional protection measure. Moreover, they also carry it to ensure that their individual need for representation is the first and foremost priority at the time of legal hearings which are initiated by the client. Malpractice insurance is also known as the professional liability insurance.
Where it is available?
It can be obtained through both the private insurance agencies and professional trade membership organizations.
Coverage provided within Malpractice insurance policy
As mentioned above that this insurance is for social worker and they can purchase it in any amount. The basic purpose of this insurance is to cover the financial loss if a customer initiates a lawsuit alleging malpractice linked to assault, battery, libel, slander and a number of other wrongdoings. Coverage is also provided against the loss linked to lawsuits which might be canceled due to fraud claims. However, fee of attorney were accumulated prior to the cancellation.
Few of the commonest claims which are leveled against professional social workers in which they are offered to have the malpractice insurance include misdiagnosis claims, causing suicide to a patient, treatment lacking consent, false imprisonment and improper removal of a child from his her parent’s custody. A social worker is required to respond all the allegations and every claim even if the lawsuits are groundless. They can do it by legal representation. Malpractice insurance policy protects social workers against financial burdens and loss which are made as a result of such allegations.
Amount of insurance
The amount of insurance which an individual can take out depends on the needs of individual and the availability of the policy. Majority of workers decide their amount of policy on the basis of hours they work and the population of clients. Working directly with public, part-time or full time involves a high level of risk. Due to this, many professional organizations advise a minimum coverage of $1million USD.
Requirements to get malpractice insurance policy for social workers
In the United States, in order to get malpractice insurance policy, a social worker must get a social work degree. Students who are taking social work training as major may also attain malpractice insurance policy for social workers during working in clinical training, but the condition is that such students must work under the supervision of a licensed social work professional. There are some higher education institutions which require their social work training students to hold such insurance plan prior to get the permission to practice in graduate level coursework.
