Question about personal liability/ malpractice insurance.....

Nurses General Nursing

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I am going to be starting orientation on Jan. 21st for my first job as an R.N. I want to purchase my own malpractice/ personal . Where did you purchase yours? I'm looking for a reliable company with a good history. Did you go through the ANA (if you are a member.) Any advice would be much appreciated!

Any other tips for a newbie about to embark on her first job as an R.N.?

Thanks!

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

Congratulations of your first job!

I used to carry my thru ANA, but found the membership dues and insurance premiums to be excessively expensive. I switched to NSO which was more reasonably priced, in my opinion.

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I talked to my insrance agent. I can obtain a million dollar umbrella policy rider through my homeowners policy that would cost around 90$/year to cover professional liability issues.....

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

www.nso.com

Receive free quotes online. If you get insurance within the first year grad, you receive dicount rates.

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Exactly what Iris sirI said...... You can get up to 6 million in coverage and it costs less than 150 a year.

NSNA and NA both recommend this.

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I just purchased about 3 hours ago from NSO. Was $98 dollars for $1,000,000/$6,000,000 policy for the year. They have smaller amounts but it was only a few dollars more for the largest amount. You will get a discounted rate for new grad. Many nurses that I work with recommended them. I never thought about a rider on a homeowner policy..someone else mentioned that. Good Luck!

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I am going to be starting orientation on Jan. 21st for my first job as an R.N. I want to purchase my own malpractice/ personal liability insurance. Where did you purchase yours? I'm looking for a reliable company with a good history. Did you go through the ANA (if you are a member.) Any advice would be much appreciated!

Any other tips for a newbie about to embark on her first job as an R.N.?

Thanks!

the first thing you should do is check with your state's dept. of insurance and find out their rating. The worst thing that could happen is that you purchase a policy and the company goes BK and you get named in a suit--you aren't covered. I believe as a rule of thumb, you shouldn't choose anything below a B+ rating. Anyone know NSO's financial rating?

Next, familiarize yourself with the terms claims made, occurrence, tail, etc. Since you are a new nurse, you wouldn't need a retro policy as an RN and I'm honestly not sure if you can get a trailing tail as a student nurse, but it never hurts to ask.

Finally, I would EMPHATICALLY IMPLORE you to read every line in your policy ESPECIALLY the small print. As a rule of thumb, the regular sized font is stuff they are giving you; the small sized font is stuff they are taking away. Specifically, look for clauses about consent to settle, assuming obligation, etc.

to answer your last question...if you want to avoid using your policy never be afraid to ask questions/seek assistance when you aren't sure about something or you are in over your head.

Congrats, and welcome to the wonderful world of nursing.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
Anyone know NSO's financial rating?

A (Excellent)

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I am going to be starting orientation on Jan. 21st for my first job as an R.N. I want to purchase my own malpractice/ personal liability insurance. Where did you purchase yours? I'm looking for a reliable company with a good history. Did you go through the ANA (if you are a member.) Any advice would be much appreciated!

Any other tips for a newbie about to embark on her first job as an R.N.?

Thanks!

I can honestly say that I do not remember who I purchased my first malpractice/liability insurnace through. I have not renewed this as the insititution that I work for provides coverage for me. I originally thought that this was not enough, but I have recently found out that having my own policy acutally makes things more complicated and would be a bigger liability. I would suggest contacting HR or your Legal Department to see what is set up for the medical center that you are employed.

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NSO. I've had a policy with them since I was a student and have never let it lapse. I've never needed it, but like car insurance I wouldn't be caught dead without it.

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Specializes in Neuro.
I just purchased liability insurance about 3 hours ago from NSO. Was $98 dollars for $1,000,000/$6,000,000 policy for the year. They have smaller amounts but it was only a few dollars more for the largest amount. You will get a discounted rate for new grad. Many nurses that I work with recommended them. I never thought about a rider on a homeowner policy..someone else mentioned that. Good Luck!

I just put in my info and as a new grad I can get the coverage amounts stated above for $49 for a year. I have not been told yet of what coverage is offered by my facility (have nursing orientation on the 21st!) But I will likely keep my own coverage anyway.

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Specializes in Cardiac, ICU, EP, CCU.

Yes, definitely keep your coverage despite what the facility tells you.

Their coverage will protect their interests, and they won't hesitate to throw the nurse under the bus (so to speak) to cover the behind of one of their MD's. So get your own coverage so you can get your own attorney and representation in case you're ever in a bad situation.

Like car insurance--you might be a good driver, but there are all kinds of whackos on the road and you need protection from being drawn into the mistakes of others. It's cheap enough, considering.

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