How much cover do I need?

Professional bodies say cover should be adequate for your practice, rather than requiring a specific figure, so it's important to ensure you have enough protection. A limit of £1 million is a common starting point for private practice, and EAP panels, agencies, universities, and the NHS often specify their own minimum, which is frequently higher. Check any contract or room hire agreement before you take out a policy.

Do I need public liability insurance as well as professional indemnity?

If you see clients face-to-face, yes. Professional indemnity covers claims about the work itself, while public liability covers cases where someone is injured or their property is damaged at your premises. BACP states that members should have a policy that includes both covers. If you work solely online, you may not need public liability insurance, though many room providers ask for it.

What does professional indemnity insurance not cover?

It won't cover deliberate or criminal acts, fines or penalties, your own trading losses or unpaid fees, or work you haven't declared to your insurer. It also doesn't cover cyber risks, so if you experience a ransomware attack, for example, you would need cyber insurance to cover it. Claims made after your policy ends aren't covered unless you have run-off cover.

My employer or agency insures me; do I need my own policy?

If you also see private clients, yes. Policies arranged by an employer, agency, or placement provider normally only cover the work you do for them, so any work you do privately would need to be covered under your own policy. This also usually applies to trainees on placement, and UKCP asks trainee members to confirm what cover they hold.

What happens if a client complains to my professional body instead of suing?

You should inform your insurer or broker as soon as you become aware. A conduct complaint can be the first step towards a claim, and policies that include professional body representation will fund legal advice and support through the process. If you wait until a formal claim is made before telling your insurer, it could affect their ability to handle the claim effectively.

Professional Indemnity Insurance for Counsellors

Name: Professional Indemnity Insurance for Counsellors
Brand: Alan Boswell Group
Rating: 4.8 (13362 reviews)

Professional indemnity insurance for counsellors and psychotherapists covers legal costs and compensation arising from negligence claims against your practice.

Meets BACP, UKCP and NCPS requirements

Covers professional body complaint costs

Cover for online and in-person work

Professional indemnity insurance is vital for counsellors and psychotherapists. Counselling isn't a protected title in the UK, so it's your professional body that sets the standard. BACP, UKCP, NCPS, BABCP and ACC all expect members in practice to hold adequate cover, and BACP asks registered members to provide proof of it if they're selected for audit.

Most claims begin with a complaint rather than a solicitor's letter. Whether it's a client who feels harmed by the work, an email sent to the wrong address, a disputed set of notes, or a therapeutic relationship that has broken down, you could find yourself facing legal proceedings. PI can cover the cost of defending these claims and any compensation awarded.

The Alan Boswell Group Difference

We've arranged commercial insurance for more than 40 years, and we know the risks therapists and counsellors face. When looking for a professional indemnity policy for your practice, you'll need to consider:

Does it cover your entire scope of practice, from localised in-person therapy rooms to cross-border online sessions?
Will it pay your legal costs if a complaint goes to your professional body rather than to court?
Does it keep responding after you retire?

We'll check all of these factors for you, find a suitable policy, explain the policy's terms, and arrange the limit your professional body, EAP panel, or room provider requires.

Insurance adviser for business insurance

Professional indemnity insurance in detail

Counsellors' professional indemnity insurance covers legal costs and compensation where a client says your work caused them harm or loss. It's usually arranged alongside public liability and malpractice cover in a single policy, and can include:

Civil liability

Cover for claims that your practice was negligent, that the therapy caused harm, or that you failed to act when you should have, including the compensation awarded and the cost of defending the allegation.

Malpractice and treatment risk

Talking therapies can be seen as advice and treatment. Malpractice cover protects against claims of poor advice or harm caused by the therapy itself.

Public liability

Cover if a client is injured or their property is damaged on your premises. Most room providers and clinics will ask for proof of public liability insurance before they'll let space to you.

Breach of confidentiality and data protection

Covers claims arising from client information being disclosed without permission. For example, due to a misdirected email, notes shared with the wrong party, or a lost device.

Professional body complaints and disciplinary hearings

If a client takes a complaint to BACP, UKCP, or another professional body, the policy can cover the cost of legal representation and advice to respond to the complaint.

Allegations of abuse

Specialist wordings can include cover for defending allegations arising from the therapeutic relationship (excluding proven deliberate acts).

Loss of client records

Covers the cost of reconstructing or restoring client records and case notes that are lost or damaged while in your care.

Libel and slander

Cover if something you write in a report, reference, or letter is alleged to have damaged somebody's reputation.

Online and remote therapy

Cover for different territorial limits and jurisdictions for clients who receive therapy over video or phone.

How our customers rate us

Excellent to deal with - straightforward, honest and very knowledgeable.

Rob - Professional Indemnity Insurance

4.8/5 13362 reviews

Do counsellors legally need professional indemnity insurance?

There's no law that makes it compulsory for counsellors, because counselling isn't a statutorily regulated profession. However, it's a condition of membership and registration with BACP, UKCP, NCPS, BABCP and ACC, so in practice you need it to stay on a recognised register and take referrals. If you're also registered with the HCPC, an indemnity arrangement is a legal condition of that registration.

Without cover, you would be responsible for the cost of defending a claim and any compensation awarded.

How much does professional indemnity insurance cost for counsellors?

Your premium will depend on the level of cover you choose, the type of therapy services you provide, your annual income, whether you employ or work with other therapists, and your claims history. With access to multiple insurers, we'll take the time to understand your risks and search the market for a suitable policy.

Other professions we cover

Every profession comes with its own risks. Explore the professional indemnity cover we arrange for other sectors.

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Professional Indemnity Insurance for Accountants

Professional indemnity insurance for accountants covers the cost of defending and settling claims when your accounts, tax work, or advice leave a client out of pocket.