Insurance for Psychologists

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Mon – Fri 8:30am - 5:00pm AET

As a psychologist, your specialty is human behaviour, and you can explain the reason behind almost anything anyone does. However, unlike human behaviour, there are some incidents and mishaps that don’t always have a reason, and some that are even harder to predict. Therefore, having appropriate insurance cover in place that addresses the risks you face in your field is important for your practice.


Why do Psychologists need insurance?

Your patients rely on your counselling to help them with any number of issues they’re dealing with, and it’s your help that can get them back on their feet. As you’re helping people when they may be at their most vulnerable, your advice may be misinterpreted by a patient, and this could have a negative impact on their life. You also have your own financial risks, for example, events such as storms and fires damaging your office could also have a significant impact on your finances if you had to suddenly find extra cash to replace your office equipment. Having adequate insurance is therefore important to help make sure your livelihood isn’t severely impacted if you do experience an unfortunate incident.

Aon is the approved insurance broker for Australian Psychological Society (APS). As sector experts, we have worked with APS to listen to the needs of Psychologists and negotiated with insurers to develop to cover that is easy to understand.

Why Aon?

Psychologists Insurance. Easy


Easy to understand

  • Easy to digest information about what insurances your business needs and buy online
  • Or it’s an easy call to one of our experienced, friendly brokers on 1800 805 191

Easy to Buy

  • Quick quotes available online
  • Purchase in just a few clicks
  • Options available to pay monthly

Easy to manage

  • Adjust your policy anytime you require, with a quick call
  • Request certificates of insurance quickly and easily
  • Aon can assist you in filing complex claims

Why choose Aon for Psychologists Insurance?

When it comes to insurance for Psychologists, there are a few options available to you, and deciding which ones you need might not be easy. Aon is committed to making life easier for you by arranging insurance that’s easy to understand, buy and manage, so you can get quotes and take out a policy online in just a few clicks. Or if you do need help, our team of friendly experienced brokers are a phone call away to help you understand what insurances you may or may not need, but more importantly, why; helping give you confidence that you’re making a better decision for you and your business.

What insurance do Psychologists need?

Professional Indemnity
(includes Public & Product Liability)
This helps provide cover in the event a third party alleges that you have been negligent in performing your services or giving advice, and as a result, they have suffered injury or financial loss. For example, a client may allege your advice ended up having a negative impact on their life and take legal action against you. Professional Indemnity insurance may cover the cost of legal representation, as well as compensation you’re required to pay as result of the claim.2

Professional Indemnity Insurance is a mandatory requirement for Psychologists to hold as per requirements set by the Psychology Board of Australia.
Public Liability
(included in our Professional Indemnity package)
Cover for Public Liability is included as part of the Professional Indemnity policy.

Public Liability Insurance helps protect your business against liability for third-party personal injury or property damage arising out of your business activities. For example, if a client or visitor was to slip and fall while on your business premises, you would look to this policy to cover the claim.

While these events may seem rare, if they do occur, the financial impacts can be very significant. As a Psychologist, your profession involves significant interaction with clients, therefore Public Liability is a crucial cover to consider for your business, whether that’s at your office, out in public, or at your clients’ homes.2
Business Insurance
Business Insurance is designed to protect your business and its assets (including equipment) against certain unexpected events. For example it can include cover for damage to business premises and/or equipment caused by fire, storm, theft and other insured events.2

A key part of this policy is Business Interruption, which can provide protection for lost revenue in the event your business is unable to operate as usual due to an insured peril.

Business Insurance is made up of a number of cover sections, and you can choose the sections that relate to your business. Cover is also available for damage to money (if you keep cash on premises), portable contents such as mobile phones and laptops, and Public Liability.
Cyber Insurance
Cyber insurance helps protect you against certain cyber related threats, such as unauthorised access to your computer system or network resulting in loss or theft of data.

As a Psychologist you may store valuable client data (such as personal details, bank account details and health records). When this type of personal information is kept digitally in your care, custody or control, it is important to consider the risks of data and security breaches. Cyber insurance may be worth considering when protecting your business against these risks.2

Cyber insurance has now become one of the essential products a business in the health industry should consider.
Product Liability
(included in our Professional Indemnity package)
Cover for Product Liability is included as part of the Professional Indemnity policy.

Product liability insurance helps protect your business against financial liability for third party injury or damage caused by products sold or supplied through your business.

Public and Products Liability policies can cover legal defence and court costs, assisting your business with the financial setbacks of defending a claim.2

Cover Benefits of Psychologists Professional Indemnity Insurance

2 hours complimentary legal advice
You could save hundreds of dollars on outside legal costs with 2 hours of complimentary legal advice on risks insured under this Policy. Legal advice relating to your policy is not included.2

Flexible Professional Indemnity cover limits
Choose a level of Professional Indemnity cover that to suits you: $5 million, $7 million, $10 million or $20 million.2

Member Therapy & Counselling expenses
$5,000  for Therapy and Counselling Expenses which is required as a result of a Claim covered by the Policy.2

Unlimited retroactive date
Professional Indemnity Insurance for Psychologists arranged through Aon includes unlimited retroactive cover for unknown claims or circumstances. This means it does not matter when the act, error or omission giving rise to the claim occurred, provided you did not know of the impending claim prior to the Period of Insurance.

Subject to eligibility criteria and must be stated in the Schedule.

Complimentary Run-off cover
You can be subject to claims for professional wrong-doing even after you retire or sell your business. Run-off cover extends your insurance policy for up to 7 years after your business ceases, to respond to claims which arose while the business was operating.2

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions by Psychologists.
Is it mandatory for Psychologists to hold Insurance?
Professional Indemnity Insurance is a mandatory requirement for Psychologists to hold as per requirements set by the Psychology Board of Australia. While Professional Indemnity is the only insurance which is mandatory, it may not be enough on its own to protect your business from the range of risks you face, so it’s worth speaking to your broker to fully understand the range of risks you face and decide which other forms of cover you might need.
Why do Psychologists need Public Liability insurance?
Public Liability is an important cover for any business that interacts with members of the public. One of your clients or a member of the public could take a spill and hurt themselves or damage their property on your premises. This could lead to them making a claim against your business, and you could be held liable.
What level of complimentary legal advice do I receive?
A total of 2 hours of complimentary legal advice is offered if you hold the Aon Health Combined Professional Indemnity, Public & Products Liability Policy. You can call the Legal Helpline up to a total of 2 hours in each policy year, per policy, for general legal advice relating to your practice. Legal advice relating to your policy is not included.2

The Legal Helpline is entirely confidential, and you'll be supported by a network of lawyers who work independently of Aon. This conversation will not impact the future cost of your insurance premium.
Explore more FAQs
Can I provide training under my policy?
Training and teaching services you provide in relation to the professional services you are covered for, will be covered under your policy.

Can I place my policy on hold when I go on Parental leave?
If you’re a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), you can apply for complimentary cover while you’re taking Parental Leave. This provides a limit of liability of $2 million for Professional Indemnity, strictly limited to the professional services you conducted when you were working. The Parental Leave feature is a benefit for APS members, as a means of managing your insurance costs while you’re not working, however, please remember it’s your responsibility to contact Aon prior to commencing leave and apply for the complimentary parental leave, so that you will be insured for your professional services when you start working again.2

Why might I need run-off cover?
Even after you've retired or are no longer practising, you could still be subject to claims from the time you were in business. Under the Combined Professional Indemnity, Public & Products Liability Policy arranged through Aon, run-off cover allows you to arrange complimentary run-off cover for a period of up to 7 years in relation to incidents that happened while you were practising.2

When will I receive my certificate of currency?
When you purchase your Professional Indemnity policy online you will receive your certificate of currency in minutes to your elected email address. If you purchase your insurance with one of our experienced brokers, the time line may vary.3

How do I make a claim?
​You will find details of how to make a claim in the policy wording you receive from us. However, we also appreciate that having to make a claim can be a stressful time. That's why as your advocate we are always on hand to help with any questions. Please do not hesitate to call us on 1800 805 191 during business hours or email au.psychology@aon.com

What if I need to make a change to my policy?
It is important to keep your policy up to date with the changing shape of your business but also to keep your business and personal information up to date in the event of a claim.

Should your business circumstances have changed, for example you have moved into new premises or you have changed the services that you offer and you are not sure if your existing insurance covers it anymore then you can always call one of our experienced friendly brokers to discuss on 1800 805 191 or au.psychology@aon.com

How do I renew my policy?
Your renewal offer, schedule and tax invoice will be sent to you via your elected email address approximately 30 days before your renewal date. It is important at this stage to review the details of our offer carefully (remember pricing and coverage levels may have changed so it is important to review). If you are happy with the offer and wish to accept, it is important that you pay for your renewal by the date specified on the tax invoice.

Thank you for looking into renewing your policy through Aon. It is greatly valued that you are pleased with the level of service and coverage you receive.

What should I do if I have not received my certificate of currency or renewal offer/documents?
Please accept our apologies. At Aon we strive to deliver best in class service, so we are sorry to hear you have not received your documents. Please request your Certificate of Currency here or alternatively contact us on 1800 805 191 or au.psychology@aon.com and we will look to send your documents as soon as possible.

What are your opening hours?
Our opening hours are 8.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday (AET, except public holidays). If you need to contact us out of hours you can email us at au.psychology@aon.com and we will pick up your query on the next business day.

Can I pay for my policy monthly?
Yes you can, monthly payments can be arranged through a premium funding agreement with Hunter Premium Funding4 to help you spread the costs of your insurance across the year. Please note that the total overall cost is higher if you pay monthly. Contact us on 1800 805 191 or by email on au.psychology@aon.com.

Self Service – Certificate of Currency

Click here to request a Certificate of Currency for your Health Combined Professional Indemnity and Public & Products Liability policy.*

Contact


Ways to get in touch

Call 1800 805 191

8:30am - 5:00pm AET
Mon - Fri (except public holidays) 
*The self-service Certificate of Currency request form is available for insureds who have a current and paid Combined Professional Indemnity and Public & Products Liability policy. 

2Subject to full terms, conditions and limits of the policy. Please review the full policy wording for more information.

3We will process your certificate of currency request instantly but, depending on your internet speed and email server, it could take a few minutes to get to your inbox.  If your arranging the policy via one of our Brokers the time line may vary, however it is likely, it will be a minimum of 24 hours.

4Hunter Premium Funding is a third party independent of Aon, however Aon will receive a commission if you pay for your policy through a premium funding agreement with them.

Combined Professional Indemnity Public & Products Liability Insurance Policy Wording for Psychologists is arranged by Aon Risk Services Australia Limited ABN 17 000 434 720 (Aon) on behalf of the underwriter, Insurance Australia Limited ABN 11 000 016 722 AFSL 227681 trading as CGU Insurance. If you purchase this insurance, Aon will receive a commission that is a percentage of the premium. Further information can be provided upon request.

Please also note that the Australian Psychological Society Limited ABN 23 000 543 788 (APS) act as a referrer of the above listed insurance/s to Aon. Where you purchase this insurance as a result of a referral from APS to Aon, APS will receive a fixed fee from Aon’s total remuneration. Please feel free to contact us for further information.