The CSP PLI scheme meets most members’ needs. Some members may need additional insurance, some of which is available to CSP members via James Hallam.
On this page:
Individual top-up insurance
You can apply and pay individually to increase the basic limit of professional liability cover from £7.5 million per claim to £10 million per claim. The top-up in cover applies to all areas of physiotherapy work, except the treatment of animals and of certain professional footballers.
Small business medical malpractice indemnity for physiotherapy practices
The CSP PLI scheme is for members working as individuals either as sole traders or sole-trader limited companies. The CSP recognises that many members operate small businesses which will need bespoke medical malpractice insurance to cover the business’s professional liabilities. See our information about running a business.
All businesses may still need other types of insurance and you must take appropriate advice about your individual business needs. Read the Guide to Business Insurance Cover provided by James Hallam.
Criminal Defence Insurance (CDI)
The main CSP PLI scheme does not provide cover for any criminal claims. We know that some CSP members like the reassurance of having additional insurance to cover criminal prosecution defence costs. We can now signpost to a CDI provider.
Not all CSP members need separate criminal defence insurance depending on their eligibility for legal aid. All CSP members in the UK are eligible for free legal representation at an initial police interview under caution. Beyond this, eligibility for legal aid is means-tested on a case-by-case basis. Owing to the different thresholds, members in England and Wales may be unlikely to qualify for legal aid, whereas members in Scotland and Northern Ireland are likely to still be eligible.
Philip Williams and Co Insurance Management Legal Expenses Insurance cover
Other insurance
There are many other types of insurance that you may need to take advice on. Common ones include Employers Liability Insurance, Cyber Risks Insurance, Occupiers Liability Insurance, and Public Liability cover for your workers, or Event Insurance. These are not included with the main CSP PLI scheme.
Cyber Liability Insurance (CLI)
The main CSP PLI scheme does not provide cover for any cyber exposure claims. We know that some CSP members may want the reassurance of having additional cyber liability insurance for their work. Cover can be arranged via James Hallam for:
- Replacing data corrupted/destroyed by network failure or first/third party intervention.
- Loss/extra expenses resulting from when a network is interrupted by a cyber attack.
- Criminal, malicious insiders, and denial of service (DOS) cyber attacks and extortion.
- Fines and penalties as a result of a cyber attack where insurable by law.
- Disaster recovery activation costs.
- Reputational damage resulting from a cyber attack.
Treatment of animals
You will need separate medical malpractice insurance if you want to treat animals. The main CSP PLI scheme does not provide cover for work with animals. If you only work with animals you do not have to be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). This is because the HCPC only regulates physiotherapists who work with humans. If we ask you for your HCPC number to confirm your eligibility to be in a full-practising CSP membership category, please confirm to us that you only work with animals.
Chartered physiotherapists working with animals do benefit from the Public Liability Insurance policy as this covers all areas of work.
ACPAT offers a suitable indemnity scheme to its members, which is brokered by James Hallam. This scheme is entirely separate from the main CSP PLI scheme. To be eligible for this cover you must
- Be a CSP member in a 'full-practising' category of membership. If you only work with animals remember to declare your exemption from mandatory HCPC registration to the CSP.
- Be a member of ACPAT in Category A or Category B.
The ACPAT insurance allows Category A members to engage up to two Category B students to work under under the supervision of the Category A member on a practice placement.
Category B Members can purchase their own individual ACPAT insurance but they must be working in an environment where there are adequate controls and supervision in place and the treatment of the animal is offered in a Vet Led process to comply with the Veterinary Act.
If you are not an ACPAT member you must find your own alternative cover.
Further information
For specific enquiries related to the CSP additional insurance policies or for advice on your own insurance needs, please contact the CSP insurance brokers:
James Hallam
Saxon House
Duke Street
Chelmsford
Essex CM1 1HT