Low cost Liability Insurance- has anyone bought?

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Permalink Reply by Abram Herman on June 21, 2012 at 4:52pm

Hi Karen,

It's certainly okay, and in fact encouraged, for you to discuss this on here! Regarding Hands On Trade (HOTA) and Massage Magazine (MMIP) insurance, there is a reason their program is less expensive.  The insurance coverage is NOT the same - ABMP's insurance coverage is much more comprehensive.

While it’s true that both of our organizations offer up to $2 million per incident coverage in each of Professional Liability, General Liability, and Products Liability, some of the coverages offered by HOTA and MMIP are Claims Made. If a therapist insured by HOTA or MMIP in 2011 injures a client at a session during that year, but a claim isn’t filed until 2012 or later – and the therapist is no longer insured by the time the claim is filed, there may be no coverage.  Occurrence form coverage (which is what you get with ABMP) provides coverage for your claim, even if a claim is filed years later, as long as you were insured at the time of the incident.  Such so-called late-filed claims are far from rare. Indeed, while most states have statutes of limitation for filing a claim, those limits typically run for 2-4 years.  In fact, we have had a number of claims filed on the last day prior to the statute of limitations expiration date.  This is important to clarify with your insurance carrier.

Please keep in mind, too, that we are much more than "just insurance." We are an association dedicated to serving our members and enhancing the profession. We are certain that you will find the many publications, free website, intake forms, customizable marketing materials and services your ABMP membership provides of great help to you in the future.

I hope that helps to clarify the differences, please feel free to get in touch if you have any other questions!

Best,

Abram Herman

Social Media Coordinator at ABMP

 

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Permalink Reply by Relax & Rejuvenate on June 22, 2012 at 7:41am

Also look for hidden costs, like adding "Additional Insureds" to your pollicy

 

Anyone/place you work as an MT would be foolish not to require you to add them to your policy. Some cut rate plans charge $25 per AI

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Permalink Reply by Abram Herman on June 22, 2012 at 9:01am

That's a great point too! With ABMP you can add as many AIEs as you need, at no cost.

Relax & Rejuvenate said:

Also look for hidden costs, like adding "Additional Insureds" to your pollicy

 

Anyone/place you work as an MT would be foolish not to require you to add them to your policy. Some cut rate plans charge $25 per AI

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Permalink Reply by Karen Satke on June 25, 2012 at 12:36pm

Hi Abram, thank you for your response! 

  I like to think I am savvy when it comes to insurance, but I had never thought about coverage for claims made at a later time.  Even if I kept my insurance with the same provider, at some point I would be done with my massage career.  I’m sure a lawsuit would be filed the week after I retire and my insurance ends. :)

  I left my previous massage org because I started receiving political emails from my provider.  (Massage politics, not national politics.)  I didn’t like the “you need to protest this and be angry at that” mentality.  So I went to a different org, and now I am getting the same thing from them.  That is why I started looking at smaller organizations that just provide insurance.  I am happy to have information provided to me, or be asked to communicate my opinions on forums or to the board, but to be told what to think… well, it’s not for me.   Don’t get me wrong, some issues are important, and I need to be told about them.  But in these cases I happened to disagree with the (very strongly worded) opinions I received.  I got the feeling that the discussion was closed and if I don’t agree then I should leave, as though it is a political party.

I wouldn’t be worried about paying extra for AI’s.  I paid more to join my current massage org, just to get away from the politics.  :)  And it didn’t work! 

I know the extras are good for some professionals, but I don’t use them.  I sometimes wonder how much of my dues go to making magazines, websites, and conventions. 

I don’t want to dis the massage orgs, I know lots of therapists love going to conventions and local meetings and really use the discounts and extras.  I just don’t think I am their market client. 

Thanks for the information.  I’m going to keep researching!

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Permalink Reply by Relax & Rejuvenate on June 25, 2012 at 2:48pm

The #1 reason anyone should join a massage org is for the benefits -- liability insurance coverage being the most imporotant.

 

Find the plan that works for you -- who cares about the rest? Ignore those emails, and focus on what matters to you.

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Permalink Reply by Carrie Patrick on August 9, 2012 at 12:57pm

I think if you have found a provider that you like in all other ways, your best bet is probably to go with that provider, and call them to request removal from their email/direct mail lists so you're not having to deal with anything you don't want. I know that is something we do for members at ABMP and I can't imagine the other orgs wouldn't also be willing to do it.

In any org there are always going to be members who are interested in such things, and other members who don't want to hear from the org at all except once a year when they renew. It's beneficial for any company or organization to respect those wishes and try to adjust the level of contact to suit the individual.

So, if you are getting unwanted mail or email, call the provider and ask to be put on the "do not mail" list or whatever their equivalent is. At ABMP we can set people up as "do not mail", "do not email" or even very specific requests like "I want to get emails about webinars but nothing else, and renewal notices by mail only, and don't send me the magazine."

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Permalink Reply by Gordon J. Wallis on November 22, 2012 at 10:20am

Question..  How many massage therapists are sued every year?  What are the statistics on that?

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Permalink Reply by Gordon J. Wallis on November 22, 2012 at 5:32pm

One insurance I have, and I don't hear much about it is Disability Insurance... Like if I get my hand smashed in a car door or something... I cant work of course...If I cant work for over a month.. Then my insurance will pay me 50% of my income for a year  .Bills still have to be payed....Its inexpensive... contact AFLAC....  And I believe there are options as to how much they will pay and for how long... Worth looking into..Keeps the money flowing.

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