Can employer ask for my liability insurance info?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hello fellow nurses! I have had my employer ask me recently for my information. I work for a relatively small home care agency. I am responsible for training caregivers and delegating nursing tasks to them. I have recently purchased my own liability insurance policy but I'm not sure that I should be sharing that information with my employer. Is it really their right to know? It seems like it could be used against me somehow. I haven't been able to find any answers so thought I'd try all nurses :) thanks so much for any help!!

Have been asked for this info at hire several times. Have always just assumed they wanted to know the employee is covered because they have no intention of paying for the coverage themselves.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Are you an employeee? Or are you independent contractor? It makes all the difference in the world. If you are contractor, i.e. operating as a business, they have every right to ask you about your insurance. If you teaching their employees, you can be asked about not only liability but errors and omissions as well. I've worked as an IT contractor for a large corp and had to show proof of insurance in case I made a mistake that resulted in data loss or any other damage by what I said or did. If I hadn't, I wouldn't have received the contract.

A lot of smaller companies will go to using IC's with the ACA. It will be less hassle in terms of providing health care and payroll overhead costs. With IC's, you the contractor are responsible for all those headaches.

Good luck, and seek a business adviser to get set up properly and understand all those concepts.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Also, if you are being hired as a 1099-independent contractor you likely need a different liability policy with a higher premium. The policy for an IC was 7x higher than an employee contract

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The VA system application form for nurses has a section that asks for this information of every nurse who applies, or, at least, it did the last time I applied to the VA a few years ago (I don't know what would happen to your application if you declined to provide the info, but I can guess ...). I've typically been asked about my own coverage as an advanced practice nurse, and my current employer requires me (in an advanced practice role) to carry it and provide them annual documentation of the coverage. I don't really get the point of being so secretive about it. Carrying coverage is just something responsible professionals do; what's the big deal?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
The VA system application form for nurses has a section that asks for this information of every nurse who applies, or, at least, it did the last time I applied to the VA a few years ago (I don't know what would happen to your application if you declined to provide the info, but I can guess ...). I've typically been asked about my own coverage as an advanced practice nurse, and my current employer requires me (in an advanced practice role) to carry it and provide them annual documentation of the coverage. I don't really get the point of being so secretive about it. Carrying coverage is just something responsible professionals do; what's the big deal?

As a APN you have different legal and liability responsibilities than a bedside nurse. So your employer would need to know your personal .

As a bedside nurse...not so much

Up Vote Up Vote ×
They asked for a copy of my declaration page for my file. It was not a requirement of the job. I haven't had a policy up till now but lately just thought it prudent to get one for peace if mind. I just don't feel comfortable giving all the details to them, just doesn't seem right to me, but maybe it is their right to ask. I just am clueless on the topic...

There are very few things which a company may not ask you about... marital status, parental status, etc.

Anything else is fair game.

It's up to you, however, how you choose to reply and comply.

And it's up to them whether they want to hire and/or retain you... that's at-will employment.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
As a APN you have different legal and liability responsibilities than a bedside nurse. So your employer would need to know your personal liability insurance.

As a bedside nurse...not so much

I'm well aware of the difference between the two roles. My point is that I don't understand why people get so spooky about this topic. I have homeowner's insurance; I have automobile insurance; so does everyone else, and no one feels the need to be secretive about those. I also have professional (same as I did for all the years I was a staff nurse, before returning to school). Why is that any different than having homeowner's or automobile insurance, and why do people get all mysterious and paranoid about discussing it? It doesn't typically come up in conversation, but when it does, or an employer asks, I don't see any reason to be secretive about it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

But if you job wanted to know you homeowners policy would you give it to them?

I wouldn't ....if it isn't required information it is none of their business......I have a problem with people having copies of my personal information in the setting of home health...they may be documenting that they don't need to carry it themselves, a slimy way to run an agency, and find out next year at tax time that she is actually an independent contractor and therefore is 1099, they owe taxes, their malpractice jumps by hundreds of dollars or they aren't covered adequately because of this employers shady practices.

I don't trust many people anymore....personal lessons.

The OP's best advice is to call her carrier and ask them for advice. I don't trust anyone to look out for my best interest but me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would be interested in what the insurance company has to say about said info.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

I don't think it is an issue to give it to them. I used to be an insurance agent and some companies require it. Just like with delivery drivers they have to carry auto insurance and have to show it before working, I would assume this is along the same lines. They just want to make sure you are covered in case something happens. Different companies have different policies. I am just wondering what you think they could hold against you or what they could do to you. It's just an insurance policy. No big deal. They will actually have more sensitive information on you. You will have to give them your social security number and birth date to fill out an I-9 when you start working.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have already worked for this company for 10 months, and it's gone well. It never was asked of me before. I think, as one poster said previously, my best advice is to call the insurance company and ask...which I will do. I will report back what I hear from them. Thank you all for your contribution! I'm simply wanting to be cautious and I've never been in this type of situation before...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

How did they know that you have your own policy?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment