Counselling indemnity insurance is one of the first things to arrange when setting up in private practice, because room providers, membership bodies and referral sources all ask for it before anything else. It is inexpensive relative to everything else about starting a practice.
What to arrange first
A combined therapist policy: professional indemnity for the therapy, public liability for the room, and cover for defending a complaint to your membership body where it is available. Declare every modality you practise and confirm whether supervision of others is included if you intend to do it.
What room providers ask for
A certificate showing public liability at a stated limit, often before you can book. Therapy centres and clinics usually specify the figure. It is worth checking the requirement before buying, because raising a limit later is a simple but avoidable extra step.
Online and telephone work
Practising online is usually covered and raises a jurisdiction question if clients are outside the United Kingdom, because a claim brought elsewhere may fall outside the territorial limits. Ask specifically if you expect to work with clients abroad.
What it costs to start
Indemnity for a counsellor starting in private practice is among the cheapest professional covers available, typically a small annual figure for a combined therapist policy. Several membership bodies negotiate scheme rates for members, so it is worth asking your body before going to the open market, and worth comparing the scheme wording rather than only the price.
Questions people ask about counselling indemnity insurance
What do I need to start a private practice?
A combined therapist policy with professional indemnity, public liability and ideally cover for defending a complaint to your membership body.
Do rooms require insurance?
Almost always public liability at a stated limit, frequently before you can book. Check the figure before buying.
Does it cover online work?
Usually within the United Kingdom. Clients abroad raise a territorial question worth asking about specifically.