Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

I provide other service such as Ostepathy, Acupuncture and/or Homepathy. Can you cover these services?

Yes we can insure Ostepathy, Acupuncture and Homepathy and in addition, we have specialized programs for Massage, Sports Therapy, Rehabilitation, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Naturpathy and over 150 other therapies. Many can be covered at no additional charge whiile others may require a separate policy.

What is the difference between professional liability insurance and commercial general liability insurance?

While the professional liability covers you for the rendering or failure to render professional services, commercial general liability is extended to cover claims for bodily injury, personal injury and property damage to others for which you are legally liable. Commercial General Liability insurance provides protection for Mediators for non professional liability exposures associated with serving clients. For example, the liability for clients falling and being injured on your premises or in your office.

Commercial General Liability also extends to include such coverage as libel, slander, wrongful eviction and defamation.

What is the difference between "claims made" and "occurrence" professional liability insurance policies?

All Chiropractor professional liability policies in Ontario and Canada are written on a “claim made” basis rather than an “occurrence” basis

Occurrence coverage responds to a claim based on when the chiropractic treatment occurred, regardless of when the claim is actually made against you. As long as the incident occurred during the policy period, your occurrence policy will respond according to the terms and conditions of the policy—even if the claim is made after the policy period expires.

Claims-made coverage, by contrast, responds to claims based on when the claim is first made against an insured. You must have a policy in effect when a claim is filed regardless of when the incident actually occurred. Each claims-made policy contains a retroactive date. This retroactive date allows the policy to “look back in time” and cover prior incidents and reflects the beginning period of coverage prior to the effective date. As long as the incident took place after the policy’s retroactive date and the claim is first made during the current policy period, a claims-made policy will respond.

Our policies have a Retro date of N/A which means there is none. The Chiropractic Association has mandated that insurers writing this class of business must not have a retro date.

Do you provide coverage for Prior Acts?

Our policies provide coverage for professional services which you have rendered prior to the effective date of the policy. This is subject to malpractice insurance having been in force prior to the commencement date of the policy. Any incident that you had prior knowledge of which may give rise to a claim will be excluded.

Our policies have a Retro date of N/A which means there is none. The Chiropractic Association has mandated that insurers writing this class of business must not have a retro date.

What happens if I retire or cease do business?

Remember professional liability policies are written on a "claims made basis". Once you lapse or cancel your policy you will no longer have coverage for work that has been performed in the past. To solve this problem our Insurer provides an automatic ‘run-off’ or extended reporting coverage option for a period of five years. If you purchase this cover, if any claims come in after you have retired, they will be covered if they arise from your business activity while you had coverage in effect. This cover would ensure that any late claims are still covered while the extended reporting coverage is in effect. You must contact us to arrange this cover, and a charge will apply.

Can I renew my professional liability coverage over the phone?

No, we cannot accept renewals over the phone. Each year you are required to update your renewal application. You then have the option of faxing/emailing or mailing us your professional liability renewal form.

What happens to my professional liability insurance if I move to another province or work outside of Canada?

Our policy provides liability insurance coverage Canada-Wide. We can cover you for special circumstances outside of Canada if you have temporary work outside of Canada for a number of other reasons.

How long does it take to get a quote?

We recognize that Chiropractors want to buy their insurance quickly and simply. That is why our insurance policy is backed up by exceptional service levels featuring:

Complete applications are processed within 48 hours with the exception for those with claims. We fast-track service for urgent submissions

Confirmation of Insurance is provided within 48 business hours of binding.

Am I covered if I see clients at home?

Yes, the policy covers you to work at or from any location within Canada. This includes your home, and the coverage is not restricted in any way by working from home. However you may find that your homeowners insurance company may restrict or invalidate your home insurance if you have business visitors to your home. If this is the case, don't worry, Holman Insurance Brokers Ltd. has a special Homeowner's insurance policy which will cover you to see clients at home.

What should I do if I think I might need to claim?

You should notify us immediately, even if you only think you might need to make a claim. We are here to help and quick action could mitigate costs or even prevent a claim. Equally, if you have a routine query on which you would like our opinion, we are always happy to help.

Note: The aforementioned description of coverages is for informational purposes only. For exact policy wordings, conditions, and exclusions please refer to the actual policy.