FAQ > Applying for Coverage
- Do I need to send a payment with my application?
- How quickly can my coverage begin?
- Do you have a discount for new graduates? Am I eligible?
- How do I determine whether I am Employed or Self-Employed?
- I am still involved in nursing, but I don't really do hands-on care. Am I still eligible for your coverage?
- I hold two different healthcare professional licenses. How do I obtain coverage for both?
- I am a nurse working in a high-risk specialty area. Can I apply for coverage through NSO? Will my remium be higher because of my specialty?
1. Do I need to send a payment with my application?
You can send a payment with your application, but in most cases, it's not necessary. Only when you apply on-line will you be required to submit payment with your application, as your credit card takes the place of your signature. By sending a payment with your application, you can activate your policy and guarantee your professional liability coverage for one year, as long as you are approved.
If you choose not to send payment with your application, that's okay; our policy comes with a 30-day free look! If you agree with us that our coverage meets your professional needs, you can mail your check or pay your premium on-line by using our My Account Feature (VCSR). You may also call us toll-free at 1-800-247-1500 and pay your premium with your credit card (Visa, M/C, AMEX, Discover) over the phone - whatever is easiest for you!
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2. How quickly can my coverage begin?
Your coverage can begin when your completed application is approved and payment is received. We can usually make this happen in one day if you choose to apply on-line or by fax! Our fax number is 1-800-739-8818.
Your application processing time may be extended if we need additional information from you.
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3. Do you have a discount for new graduates? Am I eligible?
Yes, we do offer a discount off of our full-time rate if you have graduated from school within the previous twelve months. You'll be asked when you apply through our on-line Quick Quote whether you've graduated within the last twelve months. Your rate as it appears on your on-line application form will reflect this discount if you are eligible.
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4. How do I determine whether I am Employed or Self-Employed?
In nearly every case, we offer the same coverage and benefits to you whether you are employed or self-employed. Our policy is flexible enough to protect you when you change careers, so you can pursue your livelihood knowing that you can always have adequate coverage.
A good way to determine whether you are considered an employee of a company is whether or not your company takes taxes out of your pay and files a W2 form with the IRS at the end of the year. If this is the case, you can indicate that you are employed. Generally, self-employed professionals receive a 1099 Form from the entity they have performed services for.
If you are both (working for different companies in different capacities), then you can apply as "self-employed" to be protected for both your employed and self-employed work.
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5. I am still involved in nursing, but I don't really do hands-on care. Am I still eligible for your coverage?
As long as you have an active nursing license, you should continue to protect yourself in the event of a potential liability situation. For example, if you give advice to a friend, or aid a child in a schoolyard, you could be exposing yourself to a potential liability situation.
Having your own professional liability insurance affords you the peace of mind that you will be protected if the unexpected occurs. Even though your direct contact with patients is reduced, the need for professional liability insurance may still exist. As a licensed nurse you are indeed eligible for coverage in the program offered through NSO.
However, our coverage is not intended to respond to incidents that may arise from duties that are purely administrative in nature. If you are not involved in hands-on nursing, but are still working in an administrative capacity, your employer most likely covers these types of errors and omissions. Consult with your facility risk manager or your supervisor for confirmation.
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6. I hold two different healthcare professional licenses. How do I obtain coverage for both?
We provide coverage for over 80 different types of healthcare professional licenses and certifications. We will cover you for any of those licenses that you hold. Your premium will be determined by whichever of your licenses carries the highest exposure.
For example, you may be licensed as a Registered Nurse and an EMT-Basic. Your premium would be based on the higher exposure, in this case the EMT-B. Coverage for the other profession would be added to your policy for no additional cost.
In order to obtain coverage for your dual professions, we recommend that you contact us, and tell us about your situation, so that we can advise you on how to proceed.
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7. I am a nurse working in a high-risk specialty area. Can I apply for coverage through NSO? Will my premium be higher because of my specialty?
NSO offers coverage to most Nursing Professionals. The only exclusions to the policy are Nurse Midwives and Nurse Anesthetists.
If you are an RN --- no matter what your area of specialty (Emergency Room, Operating Room, Pediatrics, for example); you will pay the same premium as all other RNs in your state. Click here for rates. We offer professional liability to over 1,000,000 healthcare providers, because of this large number of insureds we have been able to keep the rates under control.
We do rate your premium based on specialty if you are a nurse practitioner and may rate your premium differently if you have dual certifications like RN and Massage Therapy or RN and EMT, for example. The good news is that when you take out coverage for both certifications, you have coverage for both. You also have coverage automatically if you are returning to school for refresher courses.
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