Many members choose not to work for an employer and instead set up their own business.
Get insurance advice
You might be a self-employed sole trader or set up a corporate structure such as a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) or a company limited by guarantee (Ltd Co).
How you set up your business will affect what insurance you need and you should take your own insurance advice.
You may also need legal, business and tax advice if you are setting up a business.
Frequently asked questions
For more information, read our FAQs.
I'm a sole trader. I don’t have anyone else working with me, and don’t employ any staff. Do I need additional cover?
The CSP PLI scheme will cover you for your medical malpractice (professional liability) and public liability risks for your individual work, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy. If you carry a lot of stock or other business assets, or have premises, you may need other covers.
Why do I need separate business (corporate) insurance?
An organisation is a separate legal entity that can be sued in its own right. A corporate entity has legal responsibilities to its employees including its directors, and others, and for any claims arising from their work for the entity. Not all the liabilities that a corporate body may be exposed to can be passed down on to an individual’s medical malpractice and professional indemnity.
What happens if I don’t take out corporate insurance?
Your organisation may be exposed to financial risk if your company suffers losses from a claim that is not indemnified. You must take proper insurance and legal advice to decide what action you need to take.
Why should I take legal advice?
Making an informed business decision, particularly with regard to contracts and insurance provisions, requires appropriate legal advice that you may need to pay for. The CSP does not provide legal advice for such matters.
I operate as a limited company but I am the only person in the business. Am I covered?
You must check your specific circumstances with James Hallam. The CSP PLI scheme is designed for individual not corporate entities. There is an ‘Indemnity to Principal’ clause within the CSP scheme that offers medical malpractice (professional liability) to sole trader CSP members operating as limited companies, but this is subject to strict rules and eligibility criteria.
I run a small business with other CSP members. Can I get the necessary corporate cover without paying a fortune?
Businesses comprising private limited companies or partnerships owned entirely by CSP members are now included within the CSP Member’s Medical Professional Liability insurance, provided annual turnover does not exceed £200,000.00 and subject to policy terms and conditions. All other corporate entities including private limited companies and partnerships owned solely by CSP members with an annual turnover over £200,000.00 can purchase similar cover as an extension to the Member’s PLI scheme at discounted rates. Please contact James Hallam directly for more information and to apply.
I run a larger business with other CSP members. Can I still get the small business cover?
No. If you run a company with a larger turnover than £200,000.00, you will need to take individual advice on your company’s medical malpractice insurance needs and you are not eligible for the CSP small business cover.
I run a business with people who are not CSP members but they are my family (e.g. my spouse/partner). Can I get the CSP insurance products?
Possibly. The CSP PLI scheme includes cover for 'silent' shareholders subject to policy terms and conditions. The main caveat is that any silent shareholder must not be a current or former qualified clinician. Please contact James Hallam for further advice.
Further information
For specific insurance-related enquiries, contact James Hallam, the CSP's insurance brokers:
James Hallam
Saxon House
Duke Street
Chelmsford
Essex CM1 1HT