You’re a physiotherapist working at a public hospital. Since your employer provides insurance that meets the professional indemnity insurance requirements set by the Physiotherapy Board of Australia, you decide not to purchase your own insurance policy. 

At some point you leave your job at the hospital and transition to a role at a private aged care facility. Months later, you receive a claim related to a patient who was under your care while you were employed by the public hospital but you no longer work there. Would you be covered?

As a physiotherapist working in the public sector, you may seek to rely on your employer’s insurance to cover you for claims that arise in connection with your professional practice. However, it’s important to understand what you’re covered for because there may be scenarios where your employer’s insurance
policy does not respond to provide cover.

It’s possible to be held liable for situations that occurred while working for your previous employer. Even if you work in the public sector, the insurance provided by your employer (that covered you at the
time you worked there) may not provide cover after you have ceased working for that employer. 

It’s important to understand the terms and conditions of the insurance policy you have, including the insurance provided by your employer.

You could also risk having a gap in cover when transitioning employers or if your employment is terminated.

Benefits of having your own insurance
Taking out your own individual policy gives you the ability to choose the cover that’s right for you, which may include the following:

• cover for your services when you transition to a new employer
• cover for your past services rendered
• cover for your private practice work
• cover for services you provide as a contractor, subcontractor or consultant
• legal support for regulatory enquiries and coronial enquiries.

How can BMS help?
As an APA member, you have exclusive access to the APA member insurance program with BMS. The program includes professional indemnity and public and products liability insurance cover. 

Visit australian.physio/memberinsurance-program to find out more.

Disclaimer: You must be a current APA member to be eligible for the APA member insurance program. If your membership ceases you will not be offered renewal when your policy expires. In arranging this insurance for our members APA is acting as a distributor of BMS Risk Solutions Pty Ltd (BMS) AFSL 461594, ABN 45161187980. This insurance is issued by BMS under a binder with Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s. When acting under a binder BMS is acting as agent for the insurer and not as your agent. This is general advice only and BMS has not considered whether it was suitable for your particular objectives, needs or financial situation. Please read the Policy Wording and the BMS Terms of Engagement which contains the Financial Services Guide before making a decision about purchasing this policy. APA may receive a percentage of the commission paid to BMS by the insurer and/or a fee per policy.