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Massage Therapy Insurance: here’s why you need it!

Being a massage therapist can be a rewarding yet challenging career, and there’s no doubt you’ve worked hard to build your business, so it only makes sense to protect it.

Below are the top 5 reasons Massage New Zealand members should hold and maintain a Professional Liability Insurance package.

#1 Protect against claims of negligence, malpractice and professional misconduct

Massage therapists are in a unique position of trust, and the service you provide comes with an expectation of a high level of professionalism and specialist knowledge. If something goes wrong you may be held liable.  Someone could make a claim against you for providing incorrect or ineffective treatments, giving negligent advice to clients in relation to their wellbeing, or even an allegation of professional misconduct.

Professional Indemnity insurance provides essential protection against financial losses for legal action taken against you as a result of a breach of your professional duty. It covers legal and defence costs, court attendance costs, public relations costs, damages awarded against you, and loss of earnings.

#2  Protect against 3rd party injury and property damage

 If you have people coming into your practice or you perform your work at a client’s place or other venue and you accidentally injure someone or cause property damage, you face the risk of legal action as result of a breach of your general liability.

Public Liability insurance protects you against claims from customers or other third parties by covering any compensation awarded against you, as well as legal and defence costs whether you are found responsible or not.

#3 Protect against unintentional breaches of New Zealand statutes

All businesses, including massage therapists, are exposed to breaching many of New Zealand’s Acts of Parliament, and as a result face fines, penalties and damages. An example of some common statutes that could be breached are: Health & Safety in Employment Act, Consumer Guarantees Act, Fair Trading Act, Privacy Act, Resource Management Act.

Statutory Liability insurance protects you and your employees against unintentional breaches of certain statutory acts. It covers investigation and defence costs, as well as fines or penalties arising from prosecution for an offence under an insured statute.

 

#4 You’re responsible for providing a safe working environment

If you employ any staff for your business you have a responsibility to provide a safe working environment and regardless of the lengths you go to in doing so, it’s important to hold Employers Liability insurance.

It protects you and your business against settlements or damages, including defence costs, as a result of an employee suffering a workplace illness or injury not covered by the ACC and where you may be held legally liable. Claims can arise from Occupational Overuse Syndrome (OOS) and Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI), occupational stress, mental injury, nervous shock or fright, heart attack or stroke caused by work related stress, and disease arising from circumstances where the employer has failed to provide a safe workplace.

#5 Maintain a professional standard and protect your reputation

Whilst insurance may not be mandatory, the image we portray sends an important message to our clients, and as a massage therapist your reputation means everything.  Holding the relevant insurance provides credibility and assists you in upholding a professional standard. It also allows you to pursue legal avenues to clear your name and defend your reputation in the case of an alleged breach of professional misconduct.

Maintaining a Professional Liability Insurance package is not only a best practice standard for health professionals, but rather a necessity. It’s important to ensure your business is covered before you commence trading, because the minute you open your doors for business is the minute you’re exposed to risk.

BizCover has partnered with Massage New Zealand to offer its members the best possible insurance protection from QBE Insurance, which meets the specific needs of massage therapists. The package includes Professional Indemnity, Public Liability, Statutory Liability and Employers Liability coverage.

To obtain your exclusive member only rate of $294 all inclusive:

  1. Visit bizcover.co.nz or call 0508 249 268
  2. Enter a few basic details about your business
  3. Select the QBE package and enter your Massage NZ membership number in the Partner Code field to obtain your special rate

This is general advice only.

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