Physiotherapy insurance

Specialist cover for physiotherapists from £5 a month*

  • Fast, easy online quote in 90 seconds

  • Interest free direct debit

  • No hidden fees or cancellation charges

With over 25 years experience as a specialist insurer, our physiotherapist insurance offers expert protection against the risks facing physiotherapy professionals

Why do physiotherapists need insurance?

Regardless of how long you have worked as a physiotherapist, accidents can happen. An allegation that a treatment has caused further injury, a client hurting themselves after tripping over an exercise aid or damage caused to a costly therapy table could cause significant disruption to your business.

Specialist physiotherapy insurance from Markel Direct provides expert cover against these risks and many more. If you're a member of an association like The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) or The Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Respiratory Care (ACPRC), you can tailor your insurance to meet the requirements of your institute or association.

What does physiotherapy insurance cover?

Physiotherapists insurance can cover you against a range of risks specific to your business. This can include:

If you provide therapy to clients virtually, for example through Zoom or Skype, our policy automatically provides cover. With this, your sessions must be done on a live basis and to your client (or clients, if part of a group session) only.

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How much does physiotherapist insurance cost?

Starting from £5 a month, the price of physiotherapist insurance varies from business to business depending on:

  • The size of your business (for example your turnover and whether you have any employees)
  • The level of cover you choose
  • The activities you undertake in the course of your business

Markel Direct policyholders receive immediate proof of cover, providing you with instant protection and allowing you to get started with your work right away.

If you experience a change in circumstances and you need to cancel your policy with us, there are no hidden or cancellations fees with our insurance.

How to buy physiotherapists insurance

Not sure what cover you need? We can help - our simple quote form asks a few easy questions about your business and offers you covers that may be of interest.

Tailor your policy online in a matter of minutes or call one of our insurance experts on 0800 640 660 for help and guidance on your options. Get a quote now in under 90 seconds!

*Price based on a physiotherapist requiring £25,000 of directors and officers insurance.

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Cover starting at £5 a month

Insurance covers for physiotherapists

  • Public liability and professional indemnity (professional malpractice) insurance

    Public liability and professional indemnity insurance (also known as professional malpractice insurance) offers comprehensive protection against the cost of defending your business against allegations of professional negligence (such as providing poor treatment to a client) and if unsuccessful, the cost of damages awarded against you.

    In addition, it covers the cost of defending your business (including damages awarded against you if unsuccessful) if someone is injured, or their property damaged, which arises from you going about your business. Examples of claims include:

    • A client alleges that a course of treatment has not had the desired results. They take legal action against you to recoup their loss.
    • A client alleges that their foot was damaged during a session and that they are unable to walk for several weeks as a result. They take legal action against you, seeking compensation for their injury.

    Public liability and professional indemnity insurance is vital for all reflexologists that come into physical contact with their clients. Limits are available from £1m to £5m.

  • Employer's liability insurance

    Employer’s liability insurance covers your therapy business against claims for injury or illness suffered by employees arising from their employment.

    An example of a claim would be:

    • An employee slips on a spillage in a treatment room and injures themselves. They are unable to work as a result and take legal action against you for the injury suffered.

    If you have any employees, even on a part time basis, you are required to have a minimum of £5m worth of employer's liability insurance cover by law. Our policy provides £10m as standard.

  • Legal expenses insurance

    Legal expenses insurance pays your legal costs and expenses for contract disputes, tax enquiries (including IR35), attending jury service, debt recovery, personal injury, as well as any award you are required to pay following an employment dispute with an employee. There is a limit of £100,000.

    If a client takes legal action against you because of an error you have made, this cover can prevent you from needing to use your own finances to cover legal expenses.

  • Directors and officers insurance

    Directors and officers insurance covers the costs of defending you as a director or officer of your company against allegations of wrongful acts and any damages subsequently awarded against you. Limits range from £100,000 to £5m.

  • Portable equipment and office insurance

    Portable equipment insurance covers laptops, mobile phones and portable equipment you use for treatment against accidental damage (including theft) anywhere in the world. If you have your own premises, office insurance covers your office buildings, office contents and computer equipment against accidental damage (including theft) whilst on your business premises.

  • Occupational personal accident

    Occupational personal accident insurance provides a weekly payment if you are unable to work due to temporary total disablement (subject to a 14 day deferment period).

    In the event of loss of limbs, sight, speech, hearing, permanent total disablement or death, a lump sum would be paid out.

    If you work as a complementary therapist and would struggle to maintain an income if you were unable to work following an occupational accident, you should give consideration to this cover.

  • Cyber and data risks insurance

    Cyber and data risks insurance pays the costs of restoring data and equipment, informing clients, meeting ransom demands and loss of your net profit following a cyber attack. It also pays your legal defence costs and damages you are legally liable to pay to other parties. If you hold confidential information about your clients on computers and other internet connected devices (including the therapies and treatments you provide to them), you should give consideration to this cover.

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Frequently asked questions

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Cover starting at £5 a month

Frequently asked questions

  • Am I covered to treat clients with terminal illnesses (such as cancer)?

    Yes. Our policy provides cover for treating clients with terminal illnesses.

  • Am I covered to treat pregnant clients?

    Yes. Our policy provides cover for treating pregnant clients.

  • What limit of cover should I choose?

    Many clients and industry bodies with regulatory requirements will require you to have a minimum level of cover for you to undertake a contract, so it's worth checking this before you arrange cover. If you're unsure, give some thought to a worst-case scenario and the likely costs involved in putting your mistake right. We offer a range of limits on insurance, so you're sure to find the right cover for your business.

  • Why should I choose Markel’s insurance?

    Markel has over 25 years of experience insuring contractors, consultants and self-employed professionals. We insure over 200,000 micro businesses and are highly rated by our customers at Feefo.com.

    We are a division of Markel International, a Lloyd’s and London market insurer that wrote gross premium totals of £13.2bn in 2022

    To talk about your insurance requirements and better understand our cover, call us on 0800 640 6600 or get a quick quote online.

  • How are Markel Direct regulated?

    Markel International Insurance Company Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Find out more on the Financial Services Register.

Access specialist services for your physiotherapy business

In addition to comprehensive cover for your physiotherapy business, insuring with Markel means you enjoy access to useful services at no additional cost (when the relevant section of cover is purchased).

24 hour legal helpline  24 hour legal advice helpline

When you insure with Markel, you'll benefit from 24/7 telephone access to a qualified solicitor at no additional cost. Expert legal advice can be costly when you're working for yourself and it's difficult to know who to turn to for a trustworthy answer. Whether it's a question on health and safety, employment law, legal structures for your business or how to handle a difficult client, an experienced team of solicitors are on hand day and night to help you with any business-related legal queries. Included as standard with all policies.

Legal hub access Markel Business Hub access

In addition to our 24 hour legal helpline, you'll have access to the Markel Business Hub - an award winning online resource of legal and business guides, templates and content written and created by our team of expert solicitors. Instantly download ready-made contracts, policies, procedures and guidance you can use for your business - without paying any expensive legal fees. Included as standard with all policies.

  Fee dispute service

As every self-employed therapist knows, customers don't always pay on time and chasing unpaid fees/invoices costs time and money. Mindful of the impact this has on your business, we offer our policyholders access to a unique fee dispute helpline operated by one of the UK's leading law firms, who will provide specialist legal guidance and support on fee dispute issues. Included as standard with public liability and professional indemnity insurance. 

  Public relations crisis management service

In today's 24 hour news culture, public relations disasters can occur at any time. Having to deal with the press whilst managing a difficult situation can be hugely stressful as well as being a potential minefield. When there is a risk to your business as a result of negative press attention, our specialist public relations crisis management firm, The Counsel House, will work with you to help manage allegations of fraud, injury caused to employees or the public, and official investigations into your company's affairs. Included as standard with public liability and professional indemnity insurance, directors and officers insurance, cyber and data risks insurance and legal representation and employment disputes insurance.

Cyber response helpline

If you're the victim of a targeted cyber attack, our cyber response helpline provides access to specialist solicitors and information security experts who will give expert legal and technical IT security guidance on the issues arising from cyber and data protection risks. Included as standard with cyber and data risks insurance.

Cover starting at £5 a month

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