Massage Therapists Guide to liability insurance
Here's your guide to understanding the basics of massage liability insurance.
Liability Insurance 101:
Understand the Basics
Choosing the right insurance coverage for your massage and bodywork career is crucial to ensure you're protected in the event of a claim. However, it can be difficult to navigate the complex world of insurance terminology, policy details, coverage terms, and other related elements. That's why we're here to help. In this article, we're breaking down the essential information you need to know to make an informed decision about your insurance options and what Massage Magazine Insurance Plus does and does not cover in our policy.
Table of Contents:
What is liability insurance?
Liability insurance is a type of insurance that provides financial protection against potential liabilities. Independent professionals need liability insurance, particularly in health and wellness industries due to the physical contact involved in treatments.
What kind of liabilities do massage therapists face?
Massage therapists face various liabilities including claims from hot stone burns, allergic reactions from oils, creams or lotions, and even a client falling off a massage table. A liability insurance policy with Massage Magazine Insurance Plus would cover all of these claims and more.
What is the difference between professional and general liability insurance?
Professional liability insurance provides protection against lawsuits claiming negligence, misconduct or incompetence on the policyholder’s behalf; it is also commonly called malpractice insurance. General liability insurance protects the policyholder in the event that a client trips, falls and suffers an injury while on their property. This coverage applies to claims resulting from personal injury, bodily injury or damage to others’ property, and is often called “trip and fall” insurance.
Why do I need liability insurance?
Even the most experienced professionals can make mistakes and accidents can happen. Liability insurance protects you in case a client files a lawsuit against you for any injury or damage they suffered while receiving a service from you. Without liability insurance, you would have to pay for any legal fees or damages out of your own pocket, which could potentially put you out of business.
What is business insurance and do I need it?
Business insurance is a broad term that refers to a range of insurance policies designed to protect businesses from various risks and losses. Business insurance costs thousands of dollars per year and includes coverage that massage therapists don't necessarily need, but they do need liability insurance. Massage Magazine Insurance Plus does not provide business insurance.
What is an Additional Insured?
Additional insureds are typically an employer, landlord, or an event organizer. When you add an additional insured to your policy, you are extending your coverage to this named entity if a claim were to arise against you that would also affect the additional insured.
What kind of insurance does Massage Magazine Insurance Plus offer?
Massage Magazine Insurance Plus provides all-inclusive liability insurance meant to provide coverage for professional massage therapists. Our policy includes professional liability, general liability, product liability, identity theft protection, and personal injury & advertising injury coverage.
Does Massage Magazine Insurance Plus provide international coverage?
No, Massage Magazine Insurance Plus does not provide international coverage. However, our coverage does follow professionals across all 50 states and even covers online services (both pre-recorded and live-streamed).
Does a Massage Magazine Insurance Plus policy cover my employees?
No, this policy does not cover multiple people or your employees. This policy covers only the policyholder named on the insurance certificate.
What does Massage Magazine Insurance Plus policy not cover?
You can see a full list of policy exclusions here.
Liability Insurance Definitions
Let's break down important terms you should know about liability insurance.
Professional liability insurance, also referred to as "malpractice insurance" or "errors and omissions insurance", provides coverage for claims related to allegations of professional negligence, errors, or omissions that result in harm to a client during a massage therapy session. For instance, if a client suffered a back injury due to excessive pressure during a massage, they could file a claim covered under the professional liability insurance policy. ($3 million per year with a MMIP policy)
General liability insurance for a massage therapist would cover claims related to accidental bodily injury or property damage that may occur during the session. For example, if a client slips and falls while entering or leaving the massage room, the general liability insurance would cover the cost of any resulting medical bills or property damage. ($3 million per year with a MMIP policy)
Product liability insurance provides massage therapists with coverage for claims related to injuries or damages caused by a product, such as if a client had an allergic reaction from the oil, lotion or other product used during the treatment. ($2 million per year with a MMIP policy)
Identity theft protection is a type of coverage that reimburses the policyholder for expenses arising from identity fraud. (MMIP provides $25,000 per year in identity theft protection)
Occurrence form is a type of coverage that protects against claims regardless of when they are filed, as long as the incident took place while the policy was active. In other words, if a massage therapist were to be sued for an incident that occurred while their liability insurance was in effect, but the policy had since expired, the therapist would still be covered. (MMIP's policy type is occurrence form coverage. Other providers have 'claims-made coverage' which only provides protection for active policies)
This is a form of insurance that only covers policyholders for claims filed while the policy is active. If an incident occurs during the policy term but is not reported until after the policy expires, it will not be covered. AMTA's insurance is claims-made coverage.
An aggregate is the maximum amount of coverage provided by an insurance company within a specific time period, usually annually. It represents the highest amount the insurance company will pay for covered losses or claims during that designated timeframe. Once this limit is reached, the policy will not cover any additional claims until the next policy year begins.
An additional insured (AI) is typically a business, landlord, event, or other similar entity who is also covered under the insurance policy. The AI would be covered if a claim were to ever arise against the policyholder (you) that also impacted the named additional insured.
The deductible is the amount of money the policyholder must pay before getting coverage benefits from an insurance company.
In insurance, premiums are the amount of money you pay for your insurance coverage.
Get Insured with Massage Magazine Insurance
Three Policy Options to Choose From
1 year full-time Professional Rate
Built for the full-time massage therapist or energy healer.
$
169
/1yr
Cost to you: $0.46/day
2 year full-time
professional rate
Save $24 and lock-in a $145 per year rate with our 2-year policy option.
$
299
/2yr
Cost to you: $0.39/day
1 year part-time
professional rate
Built for massage therapists who work fewer than 10 hours per week.
$
159
/1yr
Cost to you: $0.41/day
Why MMIP?
MASSAGE Magazine, a publication with over 38 years in the industry, developed Massage Magazine Insurance to provide a single, national liability insurance policy for health, wellness, and beauty professionals.
Now backed by insurance industry leader Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., we are able to provide even more dependable and all-inclusive coverage brought to you by the same small team who has insured over 100,000 professionals across the country.
Liability Policy Limits
Insurance Policy Highlights
450+ Modalities Covered—No Extra Cost
For one low price, you’re covered for over 450 wellness modalities like massage therapy, yoga, Pilates, hot stone, Reiki, cupping, sound healing and more. See all here.
Coverage That Follows You
You are covered wherever you practice in all 50 states, whether it's at your client's home, your office, their office, outdoors, or even online.
Free Continuing Education Courses
Included with your policy is access to 55 hours of FREE NCBTMB-approved online continuing education courses from Panda Massage CEU and discounts to other CE providers.
Insurance Marketplace
Shop for affordable rates on health, vision, dental, and disability insurance coverage through our Insurance Marketplace. Plus get the option to obtain Telehealth allowing you to consult with a physician 24/7/365.
