Do you buy liability insurance?

rn/writer, RN · Oct 14, 2010

There may be rare exceptions, but in general, nurses are responsible for their own professional Liability Insurance.

It is wise to have it. Facilities tell you that you are covered under their policy but, a) that is only true until there is a conflict of interest, b) they can throw you under the bus if they find any action in which you deviated from their exact policy and procedure, and, c) liability insurance should also cover you if you have to give a deposition or testify against someone else. It also covers you away from the facility if you volunteer as a nurse.

Other nurses may tell you not to get insurance because having it makes you a target. If you own a home (or ever hope to) or other assets, you are already a target. It doesn't matter if you have few possessions now. A judgment against you could attach to any future earnings and assets. Not to mention that the lack of qualified representation could end up costing you your license. Paid out of your own pocket, a single hour of attorney time could cost twice as much as the yearly rate for a good policy.

A good policy should cost about half a day's pay, and in my mind, is well worth that small expense. I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Oct 17, 2010

There may be rare exceptions, but in general, nurses are responsible for their own professional liability insurance.
It is wise to have it. Facilities tell you that you are covered under their policy but, a) that is only true until there is a conflict of interest, b) they can throw you under the bus if they find any action in which you deviated from their exact policy and procedure, and, c) liability insurance should also cover you if you have to give a deposition or testify against someone else. It also covers you away from the facility if you volunteer as a nurse.
Other nurses may tell you not to get insurance because having it makes you a target. If you own a home (or ever hope to) or other assets, you are already a target. It doesn't matter if you have few possessions now. A judgment against you could attach to any future earnings and assets. Not to mention that the lack of qualified representation could end up costing you your license. Paid out of your own pocket, a single hour of attorney time could cost twice as much as the yearly rate for a good policy.
A good policy should cost about half a day's pay, and in my mind, is well worth that small expense. I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

I agree. I even got a policy as a student.

One of our professors actually advised us not to get a policy as nurses because then we'd be targets, but how would anyone know we have a policy? I don't go in to patient rooms saying "Hi, I'm your nurse, and just so you know, I have Liability Insurance." I thought it was an incredibly irresponsible recommendation from someone who should know better!

Editorial Team / Moderator · Oct 17, 2010

I got a 50% discount my first year as a new grad, too. I think it's a good idea! Unfortunately NSO requires me to also carry Liability Insurance for my paramedic certification, so mine is twice as expensive. But still, I keep it.

elkpark · Oct 18, 2010

I would never consider working a single day without my own coverage.

My father, a physician, advised me back when I was in nursing school to always have my own insurance and never trust an employer to look out for my best interests, and everything I've seen in the 25+ years since then that I've been in nursing has just reinforced to me what good advice that was.

happy6688 · Oct 18, 2010

Some people told me that it's better not buy Liability Insurance. Do you guys agree with this point?

Music in My Heart · Oct 18, 2010

Some people told me that it's better not buy liability insurance. Do you guys agree with this point?

I also have my own Liability Insurance.

I disagree completely with the advice that you've received. If you're sued and you have your own policy, you'll have your own attorney representing you. If not, the hospital's attorney will be representing them; you will be represented only insofar as it's in the best interests of the hospital. If they're able to subrogate liability onto you - to any degree at all - they will do so in a moment.

The last few weeks have seen me caring for two aggressive patients who were also litigious. While I don't seen any liability on my part, I am comforted by the fact that I have a measure of protection by way of my personal malpractice insurance.