Professional Insurance

dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I · Sep 19, 2011

Anybody can sue anybody anytime. Even for something that happens when you're not at work, just because your name was on the chart. And your employers insurance covers your employer first and foremost. Don't expect your employer to protect you. Every time I've seen the lawyers start circling, my employers quickly thew one or more nurses under the wheels.

Get sued and your out of pocket expenses for a lawyer might run $75 to $150/hour, even if you're innocent or just a witness.

For about $100/year you can get millions of $ coverage, the insurance company pays the lawyer, and some policies will even pay to defend your license if there's a complaint to the board.

IMHO, insurance is so cheap you're crazy not to get it.

mediatix8 · Sep 19, 2011

I see a lot of pro insurance people on allnurses. I finally gave in and bought NRO insurance in April. I still have a lot of concerns. The fact that it is so cheap concerns me. Have they ever actually paid out a million dollars? The fact that I emailed them with a simple question about my coverage and got no response whatsoever, concerns me. The fact that I really couldn't find one personal story on allnurses about how they were sued and their insurance company came to the rescue, also bothers me.

geocachingRN · Sep 19, 2011

There have been a couple of interesting threads, although not personal stories:

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/rn-do-you-503582-page5.html

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/could-not-believe-254219-page7.html

GM2RN · Sep 19, 2011

I see a lot of pro insurance people on allnurses. I finally gave in and bought NRO insurance in April. I still have a lot of concerns. The fact that it is so cheap concerns me. Have they ever actually paid out a million dollars? The fact that I emailed them with a simple question about my coverage and got no response whatsoever, concerns me. The fact that I really couldn't find one personal story on allnurses about how they were sued and their insurance company came to the rescue, also bothers me.

I've never heard of NRO and know nothing about it, but if you aren't getting the CS that you expect, perhaps you chose the wrong insurance company.

Have you heard any personal stories where the insurance company did NOT come to the rescue?

I haven't heard of any personal stories either, but perhaps that would make a good thread.

suanna · Sep 19, 2011

I added professional Liability Insurance as a rider to my homeowners policy. I am an RN in critical care so when I priced personal protection it was pretty pricy. The cost of adding professional liability to my homeowners was minimal.

GM2RN · Sep 19, 2011

I added professional liability insurance as a rider to my homeowners policy. I am an RN in critical care so when I priced personal protection it was pretty pricy. The cost of adding professional liability to my homeowners was minimal.

Could you elaborate and tell us what you consider "pricey" vs "minimal?"

nurse2033, MSN, RN · Sep 19, 2011

You can get through ANA, and many other places for about $100 per year, I say do it.

ICU, RN, BSN, B.S. · Sep 19, 2011

I have NSO. Have had it since I became an RN 3 years ago. It's pretty cheap, something like $115 for the year.

suanna · Sep 21, 2011

Could you elaborate and tell us what you consider "pricey" vs "minimal?"

The insurance offered through my professional organization was going to be in excess of $400/year, as a rider to my homewners, it is

GM2RN · Sep 21, 2011

The insurance offered through my professional organization was going to be in excess of $400/year, as a rider to my homewners, it is
I don't know what kind of professional organization you mean, but the reason I was curious is because mine is through NSO and costs approx $100/year. Other similar companies that I have looked into or heard of are also in that neighborhood price wise.
I agree that $400 is pricey, but for approx $75 vs $100, you might want to look at the differences in policies. Even though the risk of being sued or needing to defend your license may be small, it could very well be worth spending an extra $35 or so per year depending on what the differences are should the occasion arise.