Do you carry liability insurance?

[MrsMommaRN]

new nurse here full of questions today. the hospital i will be working for has Liability Insurance that they carry. i understand this will protect me if something happens while practicing there. what i am wondering is if i need to take out a personal policy to protect my practice?

thanks so much for your help.

[truern]

I don't know where all you folks work but I've been in nursing 22 years and have never been in a law suit. I only know of one nurse who was even named in a suit and she was dropped from the suit earily in the litigation. That aside I do have profressional liability coverage as a rider on my homeowners policy. It's only about $40. a year and is OK coverage. If I worked in a high risk area (L&D, ER, ..) I would most likelty look for more extensive coverage just for piece of mind, but with my experience what I have is adequate.

Dang, I wish you'd posted just a tad bit earlier. I read this thread and immediately went to nso.com and ordered Liability Insurance.

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

Litigious Areas of Nursing and the Nurse's Liability

[RDW13]

Has anyone actually had to use the insurance they bought from NSO?

Did they live up to their word about what they cover?

How hard is it to convince them that you really need an attorney when something when wrong? I see in the policy that they get to decide if you need one --- "when we find it necessary".

NSO sounds like they are a good company, but these days I just don't trust the "insurance" companies anymore. Whenever you file a claim, they find some loop pole to get out of paying it.

I still feel I need to have it. I just don't know if I should use NSO, or get additional coverage from my homeowners insurance.

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

I suggest you shop around if you have concerns, RDW13.

[PMHNP10]

Has anyone actually had to use the insurance they bought from NSO?

Did they live up to their word about what they cover?

How hard is it to convince them that you really need an attorney when something when wrong? I see in the policy that they get to decide if you need one --- "when we find it necessary".

NSO sounds like they are a good company, but these days I just don't trust the "insurance" companies anymore. Whenever you file a claim, they find some loop pole to get out of paying it.

I still feel I need to have it. I just don't know if I should use NSO, or get additional coverage from my homeowners insurance.

My personal opinion, or suggestion, rather, as I've previously stated, is to do as much research as you can...

"Familiarize yourself with the terms claims made, occurrence, tail, etc. [if] 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 [or your lawyer] 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."

[Diary/Dairy, RN]

Just applied for my policy too - I had thought about it before and just kept putting it off - want to be protected!

[yellowtulip2004]

I am currently employed as an independent contract RN in Virginia. I need to pursue nurses Liability Insurance. Any suggestions on where might be the best place to get this type of coverage? I thought about NSO? Thoughts? Comments? I'd appreciate your ideas.

[EmmaG, RN]

NSO is my choice. Have you checked their site?

[James Huffman]

If you have homeowners insurance, check with your carrier there. They often offer professional Liability Insurance, and it's often less expensive than NSO. (Liability insurance doesn't cost much because nurses almost never get sued, but it may save you a few bucks anyway).

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Marsh Affinity: http://www.Proliability.com

Nurses Service Organization: http://www.NSO.com

[Diary/Dairy, RN]

My policy got approved - YAY! Another layer of protection.

[RNBelle]

another tip i heard from a seasoned nurse: dont tell anyone that you have Liability Insurance especially management. if something happens they will sue you first becuase they know your insurance policy will pay up. management is in it for the money.