What commercial insurance should a counseling or healthcare practice review?

If you run a counseling office or healthcare practice, searching for commercial insurance is a reasonable place to start. You have premises, equipment, staff and a business to protect. You also provide professional services, which raise a different set of insurance questions.

A useful review connects those parts of the practice. It should not stop at the building or assume that one general business policy covers every service you provide.

Commercial property insurance: the building and business contents

If the practice owns its building, ask about insurance for the structure. If it leases space, review the lease and discuss coverage for its furniture, computers, equipment and any improvements it is responsible for.

Also ask whether business-income and extra-expense coverage is appropriate. These coverages have specific conditions; a slowdown in appointments by itself does not establish a covered loss.

General liability: everyday business exposures

Discuss risks involving the premises and ordinary business operations, such as a visitor alleging injury after a fall. General liability and professional liability are not interchangeable. Ask how the proposed policies separate premises-related claims from claims arising from treatment or professional services.

Professional liability, E&O and malpractice: what do the names mean?

Professional liability insurance addresses covered claims alleging a mistake in professional services. Errors and omissions, often shortened to E&O, is another name used for professional liability. For medical practitioners and some other healthcare professionals, malpractice is a common term.

The wording and eligible professions matter more than the label. A generic E&O product is not automatically suitable for a counselor, therapist or medical practitioner. Ask whether the policy includes your exact services, licenses and type of practice.

For a group practice, identify the business entity, employed practitioners, contractors and supervisors. Ask who is insured, how professional services are described, and whether telehealth or services away from the office are included when relevant. When changing policies, ask about claims-made wording, any retroactive date and whether extended reporting coverage needs to be considered.

Residential recovery services need a separate explanation

If the business also operates recovery residences or provides housing connected with mental health or substance-use recovery, tell the agent early. An office-based counseling practice and an operation where people live are not the same insurance submission.

Describe each location, who owns or leases it, the number of residents, staffing and overnight supervision. Explain whether the operation provides housing only, counseling, treatment, medication-related services, transportation or other support. List the applicable licenses or certifications and the legal entities involved.

These details help the agent decide which markets may be appropriate and what additional questions to ask. They do not establish that a standard office policy or any specific insurer will accept the operation. Ask specifically about professional services, resident-related liability and any abuse or molestation provisions or exclusions.

What to send when asking for an insurance review

• The business name, locations and a short description of each service.
• Whether each location is an office, a residence or another type of facility.
• Practitioner roles, licenses and employee or contractor arrangements.
• Approximate revenue, payroll and the other information requested for the submission.
• Current policies, renewal dates and any available loss history.
• Lease, lender or contract insurance requirements.

Do not include patient names, treatment records or other patient information in an initial quote request. The starting point is the operation and its insurance needs.

Ask BIG to review the whole practice

Tell Burch Insurance Group that you want a commercial insurance review for a counseling or healthcare practice. We can discuss the building, business operations and professional liability or E&O needs together, then confirm market fit for the actual services. Availability is subject to underwriting; residential programs and individual professions may need different solutions.