Have questions about your nursing professional liability insurance? Don’t worry, we’ve got answers! Coverage may seem complex, but it doesn’t have to be. Let’s dive into five common questions regarding coverage.
1. What is covered by my NSO malpractice insurance policy?
NSO nurse malpractice insurance is designed to help protect you against a range of risks.
The policy contains several key features, including:
- Professional Liability (up to $1 million per claim / $6 million annual aggregate)
- License Protection (up to $25,000 annual aggregate)
- Defendant Expense Benefit (up to $25,000 annual aggregate / $1000 per day)
- Information Privacy (HIPAA) (up to $25,000 annual aggregate)
- Deposition Representation (up to $10,000 annual aggregate)
- & Many More!
View a complete list of
policy features and descriptions.
2. What is the difference between my individual NSO malpractice insurance policy and my employer-provided coverage?
There are important distinctions between your NSO malpractice coverage and your employer-provided insurance. Identifying these key differences illustrates the crucial role individual malpractice insurance plays in safeguarding your career, license, and financial future. On the other hand, your employer’s plan may only deliver partial coverage, leaving you exposed to various risks.
Employer-Provided Malpractice Coverage:
- Professional liability limits are likely shared with other healthcare providers (this may not be adequate coverage if an incident occurs)
- The majority do not include license protection (your employer could be the one to file a complaint against your license!)
- Does not include portability (you’re only covered while at place of employment under their policies and procedures)
- Does not provide 24/7/365 coverage (only provides coverage while you are on the clock)
NSO Malpractice Coverage:
- Includes professional liability (focused entirely on you)
- Includes license protection (helps defend you to your State Board of Nursing)
- Includes portability (if you move, switch jobs, or volunteer, you’re still covered!)
- Includes 24/7/365 coverage (you’re covered on and off the job!)
- Provides you with your own defense attorney (looking out for your best interest, if needed to represent you in court)
It’s key to understand that your employer-provided insurance is designed to protect the business, because it is the primary subject of the policy. Therefore, as an employee of the business, your best interests will always come second. In the event of a malpractice lawsuit, if there is a conflict of interest, your position may be at risk. Meanwhile, with individual professional liability insurance through NSO, you are the subject of the policy, and your best interests are always the priority.
It is important to understand the role of license protection in connection to employer coverage. In addition to the risk of a medical malpractice lawsuit, a board complaint can be made against your license for any reason by anyone - a patient, family member, the hospital, or even a colleague. Most employer-provided coverage does not offer defense of your license to the board because
it may be your employer who submits the complaint. You could be left to deal with a costly and emotionally tolling license defense matter on your own. That’s why NSO coverage includes license protection as part of the policy. We understand how hard you’ve worked for your license and what it represents – your livelihood, career and ability to practice. We’re passionate about helping protect what you’ve worked diligently to achieve, and our coverage reflects that by putting your needs first.
3. When would I need to file a claim?
Knowing when and how to file a claim can be a stressful experience, but NSO is here to help guide you through the process. When it comes to malpractice claims, it’s important to err on the side of caution and report an incident, even if it may seem insignificant.
You can file a claim for any of the below scenarios, among others:
- Incident involving professional or personal liability, license protection, or assault
- If you receive a summons or letter of intent, or subpoena for deposition
- If you are involved in an incident that you believe may result in a lawsuit
It never hurts to be proactive in your approach. Whether you have been contacted about a lawsuit or suspect that you may be notified in the future, it is important to reach out to NSO immediately so we can become aware of the issue and proceed to assist in your defense. You’ve invested time, energy, and funds towards your nursing license and career, and you deserve protection. All complaints should be taken seriously, no matter how trivial or unfounded they may appear!
If you have been notified of a lawsuit, anticipate one on the horizon, or have any related questions or concerns, you can submit an
online contact form or call us at
1-800-247-1500 (Monday – Friday, 8 am – 6 pm ET). For more information, explore our
claims guide for helpful guidance.
4. I just submitted a malpractice claim. What happens next?
A claim consultant from CNA, our underwriting partner, will contact you by phone within 24-48 hours to explain next steps and discuss what attorney options are available to you if necessary. Be prepared to provide the consultant with as much information as possible involving the incident.
It is important that you
do not contact the patient or the patient’s attorney involved in your case to discuss the subpoena or any other paperwork you may receive. Additionally, avoid talking about the subpoena with others, including friends and colleagues. Your insurance provider should be the first person with whom you discuss the details of the subpoena.
5. How long does my NSO malpractice coverage last? What happens after the policy ends?
A NSO malpractice insurance policy is active for one year. Your malpractice coverage begins on your selected effective date after your application is completed, approved, and payment is received. The process is simple and typically takes
less than five minutes if you
apply online. Please note, your application processing time may be extended if we need additional information from you.
Once the professional liability policy is active, your coverage will last for one year. For instance, if your policy effective date is April 1 your coverage will last through March 31 of the following year. Don’t worry, we will keep in touch with you during that time and notify you when your policy is up for renewal!
You can easily
renew coverage and there is no need to reapply each year. Simply let NSO know of any changes you may have experienced in the past year that would impact your coverage. Examples of these changes include changing your employment status from employed to self-employed or part-time to full-time, going back to school, graduating, or starting a business or practice.
Have more questions or need assistance?
If you have any additional questions or concerns about nursing professional liability insurance, NSO is here to help! Explore our
detailed FAQs or get in touch with our support team today by calling
1-800-247-1500 (Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 6:00 pm ET) or emailing
service@nso.com. We’ll be happy to assist you!