What Does UK Holistic Therapy Insurance Cover?

Holistic therapy practitioners often have to juggle their responsibility to support patient well-being and the obligations involved in running their own business. Like most business owners, holistic therapists typically have to think about liability and insurance to protect themselves against potential legal claims, financial losses, and a range of other risks. In addition to offering comprehensive protection, holistic therapist liability insurance may also be required for membership into various professional bodies. These topics can lead to stress and affect the holistic therapist’s own mental health as they grapple with questions like, “what exactly does holistic therapist insurance cover?”, “what happens in the event of a lawsuit?”, and “what insurance policy do I need?”. Below, you can learn more about holistic therapy insurance in the UK, what it covers, and how holistic therapists can get help with their mental health. Each business is different, so consulting with an insurance professional and a qualified legal services provider for further information is recommended as this article does not serve as legal advice.

What is holistic therapy?

Holistic therapy refers to a healing approach that treats the whole person. Holistic therapists typically aim to improve a person’s physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health, recognizing that each of these tend to be intertwined. Professionals may use a variety of techniques, such as mindfulness, breath work, massage, acupuncture, and/or aromatherapy, to care for a patient’s mind, body, and spirit. 

What are holistic insurance services for complementary therapy providers?

Holistic insurance services provide specific protections for holistic and complementary therapists. Complementary therapy approaches can sometimes pose unique risks that other businesses may not face, and specific specialist policies can sometimes cover these situations. 

Holistic therapy insurance UK: What does holistic insurance cover?

Some policies can also provide protection in case a practitioner becomes ill or injured. This type of coverage may provide income if a practitioner cannot work while recovering. Also, such insurance may cover employees as well, depending on the specific policy.

Some holistic therapy business owners might also purchase insurance that covers office or therapy equipment. This may depend on the size of a business and the equipment needed. Some insurance plans may also cover legal fees for business owners who have to go to court for certain reasons. This may be especially important for practitioners who incorporate various hands-on physical treatments. 

In the UK, there are various companies across the country that offer insurance for business owners. Holistic or complementary therapists who are looking for coverage might consider contacting a few companies to get quotes and making a chart to compare different providers, costs, and coverage to help them make a decision. When contacting companies, having a list of prepared questions depending on your unique situation and concerns may also be helpful. For instance, you might find it useful to get answers to questions such as the following:

• What claims, products, and scenarios do product liability insurance and public liability cover?

• Does the policy provide cover for negligence, accidental injury, and accidental death?

• Are legal defence costs included? 

• Are there specific exclusions or limitations in this policy?

What is the process for filing a business equipment insurance compensation claim, in the case of theft, flood, or accidental damage?

Massage insurance for mind and body

Massage therapy can be healing for both mind and body, but it can also present some risks to business owners. One of the most common types of insurance that massage therapists have is typically public liability insurance in case a therapist’s practice causes injury or property damage. In some cases, a client may attribute an injury to treatment. This type of insurance may help protect therapists financially in such cases. 

Some massage therapists travel to clients' homes or businesses, so it may be helpful to consult an expert about coverage in these situations. Car insurance is typically required for those who travel this way, but it may also be helpful to ask your insurance provider if entering a client’s home involves any legal risk. 

Some business owners may also employ other therapists, who can be covered by certain types of plans. In some cases, the owner of a massage therapy practice may choose to purchase personal accident insurance, which may cover both themselves and any employees in case they’re injured at work or outside of work. 

Acupuncture insurance for physical and mental health

Acupuncture is a treatment that was developed thousands of years ago and can have a significant impact on a person’s physical and mental health. However, it may pose some unique risks for acupuncture therapists. Acupuncturists might consider purchasing some type of public liability insurance in case a patient is injured or blames an acupuncture business for financial losses due to an injury. Some acupuncturists might also consider stock insurance in case equipment or tools, such as needles and tables, are lost, stolen, or damaged. 

Cover for different working situations: Business premises, mobile work, and sole traders

When looking for insurance as a holistic therapist, it can also be important to determine if there may be any special coverages or considerations you need to keep in mind depending on how you operate and supply services. For instance, if you offer most of your services in an office but then offer a specific service remotely, do you need an additional form of coverage for conducting the chosen activity outside of business premises? Or, if you operate as a sole trader, what might happen if a client makes a compensation claim against you? Understanding how different working situations are regulated can be important to ensure you are conducting business appropriately and protecting yourself against any applicable risks. 

Understanding claims: What happens if a client makes a compensation claim?

In the event that a client makes a compensation claim against your practice, it can be helpful to understand what might happen, so you can be prepared. The exact process will depend on your situation and the client’s claim, so it can be important to connect with a legal representative who can provide advice, guidance, and legal defence if necessary. With that in mind, some of the following may occur:  

• The therapist is notified of the claim and informs their insurance provider, who can take over from there. 

• The insurer investigates the claim, which may involve gathering relevant documents, conducting interviews, and so on. 

• The claim is resolved through a settlement, mediation, or trial. 

As a therapist, understanding how your insurer handles claims, how much your insurer may be able to pay, and what limitations or exclusions exist in your policy can all be important. 

Instant quotes and practical steps: How to arrange the right insurance for your holistic practice 

When trying to figure out how to find and arrange the right insurance policy for your holistic practice, it can be valuable to speak with a qualified insurance professional or legal representative for guidance. An insurance or legal professional can help you determine how much coverage you need for your chosen activity, service, or product and help you prepare any required documents. In some cases, an insurance representative may be able to offer an instant quote based on your situation and needs. 

Emotional support for those who provide complementary therapies

Holistic therapists can sometimes face significant stress—not only related to caring for the needs of others but also related to running a business. If they have employees, they may also worry about maintaining a steady flow of income to meet payroll and complementary therapy insurance expenses. For these reasons, they may benefit from speaking with a professional about any stress or anxiety they’re experiencing.

Exploring online psychotherapy

Holistic therapists who live in an area with few psychotherapists may benefit from online therapy. With online therapy, they can be matched with a professional from anywhere in the UK. 

Online therapy allows individuals to speak with a therapist remotely via phone, video, live chat, or a combination of methods. They can also contact their therapist between sessions at any time. Holistic therapists may find this feature useful if experiencing excessive stress between therapy sessions. 

In recent years, numerous peer-reviewed studies have indicated the potential effectiveness of online therapy. For example, one systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)—an evidence-based form of therapy—can often be effective for generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, panic disorders, and substance use disorder, among other challenges. That said, remember that you don’t have to have a diagnosable disorder to potentially benefit from counselling. 

If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) to receive support and resources. Support is available 24/7.