Insurance for Physiotherapists

Working as a physiotherapist isn’t always smooth sailing, and on any given day you may be tasked with relieving all manner of aches, pains, or injuries on the road to rehabilitating your clients and getting them back to full health.

However, just like many other small businesses, there are on the job risks that can arise for physiotherapists. In some cases, these risks may put your PT business under excessive financial hardship and lead to larger concerns for your business.

Thankfully, there are certain types of business insurance* designed to specifically protect physiotherapists, and sitting at the very top of the pile is Professional Indemnity insurance.

Why do physical therapists need business insurance?

Administering much-needed physical therapy to your clients can at times be a delicate process, and on the job risks can come in many forms for physiotherapists. The risks you may face as you provide much-need physical therapy to your clients can be divided into two categories: risks to your patients, and risks to yourself or to your employees.

Some of the most common risks that may impact your physiotherapy practice can include costly and disrupting malpractice suits, injuries (to you, your employees, or to your clients), and even cyber-attacks on your business. And of course, common injuries experienced by physiotherapy patients, which can arise due to any of the following:

• poor or improper technique;
• lack of communication;
• the application of overly aggressive force;
• improper application of ice or heat; and
• overextending limbs or joints during stretching exercises

What types of business insurance do physiotherapists need?

Professional Indemnity insurance

As noted by both the Australian Physiotherapy Association, (sometimes referred to as the Physiotherapy Australia Association) all practising physiotherapists in Australia are required to hold physio insurance, including Professional Indemnity insurance. However, as well as Professional Indemnity insurance, physiotherapists can further reduce the risk exposure to their physiotherapy practice with the following business insurance products available through BizCover:

Public Liability insurance

A common type of business insurance for physiotherapists, Public Liability insurance provides protection for you and your business in the event a customer, supplier, or a member of the public is injured or sustains property damage as a result of your negligent business activities.

Contents insurance

Just like almost every other business, physiotherapists rely on the essential tools and equipment of their trade to do their job, and this is where Contents insurance can help your physiotherapy business.
Whether it’s a laptop for sharing stretching exercises and instructions with your patients, or exercising equipment you use to help rehabilitate your patients, your business assets are crucial for your physiotherapy business. You’ve worked hard to get your business going, so it pays to invest in looking after your contents with Contents insurance.

Building insurance

Do you own the business premises where your physiotherapy practice is based? If so, there’s a good chance that the building is your most valuable asset, which means it is important to that you insure it with Building insurance. Building insurance will cover your building in the event that it is damaged as a result of a fire, storm, malicious activity, or another defined event listed in your building insurance policy.

Business Interruption insurance

Planning for disasters and other unanticipated events can be very tricky for business owners. After all, you don’t have a crystal ball that you can peer into to predict future events that may impact your physiotherapy practice.

However, as a physiotherapy business owner, you do have options to reduce your exposure to disasters and other unanticipated events, including Business Interruption insurance.

Business Interruption insurance provides protection for your physiotherapy business if you experience loss of income or increased costs of operating due to a specified insured event (such as property damage or fire) covered by your Business Interruption insurance. This type of business insurance can also help your business to recover from an insured event by paying your ongoing expenses, including rent and wages.

Personal Accident and Illness insurance

Try as you might, but accidents have a knack of creeping up on all of us. They can even occur right under the noses of the most organised and professional working physiotherapists. However, Personal Accident and Illness insurance can reduce the impact to your physiotherapy practice by covering your loss of income loss** in the event of an accident or illness, even if it happens outside of your physiotherapy practice.

How do I get physiotherapy insurance?

While there can be a lot to consider when purchasing your physiotherapy insurance, that doesn’t necessarily mean that physio insurance has to be a pain – especially if you choose BizCover for your physiotherapy insurance.

At BizCover, we make business insurance fast, easy, cost-effective, and paperwork-free. Compare competitive business insurance quotes from leading Australian insurers, get covered in minutes, and enjoy a better business insurance experience.

Frequently Asked Questions About Insurance for Physiotherapists