Frequently Asked Questions

Professional liability insurance, also known as professional indemnity insurance, protects practitioners from claims of negligence, misrepresentation, or errors in their professional duties. It is specifically designed to address the areas of your professional services that might lead to claims unrelated to physical injuries or property damage. For example, in healthcare, it is often referred to as medical malpractice insurance, and in other fields, it’s called errors & omissions insurance.

This coverage safeguards you against claims such as negligence, misrepresentation, or providing inaccurate advice, even if the claims are unfounded. Here are some scenarios where professional liability insurance is vital:

• Failure to refer a client to conventional care when necessary
• Practicing alternative medicine or Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) modalities without proper training
• Boundary issues (e.g., touch vs. non-touch, confidentiality, or privacy violations)
• Use of intuition, channeling, or other non-medical approaches that may be viewed as deceptive, fraudulent, manipulative or misleading.
• Claims of practicing medicine without a license by a regulatory board.
• Improper informed consent processes
• Misleading, deceptive advertising or fraudulent.

While professional liability insurance provides significant protection, it has limitations and does not cover:

• Malicious, dishonest, criminal, or illegal acts
• Copyright, patent, or trademark infringement
• Bodily Injury and property damage (covered by general liability)
• Property damage to rented spaces (covered by property rented policies)

Mistakes can happen even to the most diligent practitioners. Professional liability insurance offers peace of mind and critical financial protection if an error or misunderstanding arises.

General liability insurance protects your practice from common risks that arise during day-to-day interactions with clients or while working on client properties. It provides coverage for bodily injuries, property damage, and other claims that could occur as a result of your business operations.

Here are some examples of what general liability insurance covers:

• Bodily Injury including Slip and Fall Incidents: A client trips and falls at your office or other location you host during a session, class or workshop.
• Property Damage: Accidental damage to other people's property caused by your direct or indirect actions.
• Personal and Advertising Injury: Claims involving libel, slander, false advertising, or wrongful invasion of privacy.
• Products/Completed Operations: Injuries or damage to a client caused by a product you used in the delivery of your services.
• Medical Expenses: Medical costs incurred by others due to accidents on your premises or as a result of your operations, regardless of fault.

General liability insurance is an essential layer of protection for energy healers and holistic practitioners, ensuring you’re covered for unforeseen incidents that could otherwise result in financial or legal challenges.

Having your own professional & general liability insurance policy ensures peace of mind and critical support in the event of a lawsuit. Here’s what it offers:

Professional Liability: 

• Protects against claims of misrepresentation or negligence related to your services.

General Liability:

•  Bodily injury (commonly known as 'slip and fall').
• Advertising injury such as libel and slander.
•  Products completed operations, injury caused by a product while you are delivering services to your client.
• Property damage to a client's property alleged to have occurred due to your actions or negligence.
• Rental property damage alleged to have occurred due to your actions or negligence, contents are not covered.

Additionally, the insurer will provide:

• Experienced Legal Representation: In the event of a lawsuit you will be provided with an attorney who specializes in defending professional liability claims.
• Coverage for Defense Costs: The policy pays for reasonable costs related to investigating or defending a covered claim in addition to the policy limits.
• Court Costs and Settlements: Court costs and settlements or judgements for covered claims are paid up to the policy’s limits of liability.

A professional liability policy safeguards your practice, finances, and reputation, giving you the confidence to focus on your work.

Start enjoying the comprehensive benefits of EMPA Membership—join today! 

EMPA’s three coverage levels are specifically tailored for energy medicine and holistic professionals, ensuring your unique needs are met with care and expertise. Here’s why EMPA stands out:

• Specialized Coverage: Our policy is designed exclusively for practitioners like you, covering a wide range of modalities and practices.
• Expert Support: Our knowledgeable staff understands the nuances of your profession and is here to provide informed, personalized assistance.
• Ongoing Advocacy and Resources: EMPA is dedicated to supporting you with the latest updates, business resources, and professional tips to help you thrive in a rapidly growing field.

With EMPA, you’re not just getting insurance—you’re gaining a partner committed to your success.

Different professions use different names for liability insurance. You may see or hear the terms malpractice, errors and omissions (E&O), indemnity or even ‘third party’ to describe professional liability insurance.  While all these terms do describe professional liability, they usually relate to specific professions and may have very different coverage and costs based on the risk of the profession:

• Malpractice most often refers to medical malpractice, insurance that a licensed healthcare professional carries to cover their medical scope of practice.
• Errors and Omissions (E&O) is generally aligned with services delivering contracts or documents where errors and/or omissions can have major consequences – such as financial advisors or real estate and insurance agents.
• Indemnity is just another term that means the same thing as professional liability, malpractice or E&O depending upon the occupation.
• Third-party liability is a term commonly referred to in the insurance industry – and relates more to the claim than the type of insurance. It simply means that someone other than the policyholder is making a claim, therefore the nickname ‘third party’. For a practitioner, the 'third party' is your client.

Your insurance from EMPA alleviates all this confusion because it’s designed just for practitioners. You automatically get the right insurance for what you do.

While some employers provide professional liability coverage, it often comes with significant limitations that could leave you vulnerable. Here are key reasons to consider your own policy:

• Insufficient Policy Limits: Your employer’s coverage may not provide enough protection, especially for high-cost claims.
• Lack of Coverage Beyond the Workplace: Employer policies often don’t cover you for volunteer work, part-time practices, or side gigs.
• No Post-Employment Protection: Most employer policies won’t cover claims filed after you leave your job.
• Employer-Centered Policies: The coverage is designed primarily to protect your employer, not necessarily your individual interests or reputation.
• Limited Modalities Covered: If you practice alternative or holistic modalities outside of your employer’s scope, those activities may not be included in their policy.

Having your own professional liability insurance ensures you’re fully protected wherever and whenever you practice, giving you the peace of mind that your career and reputation are safeguarded.

While no one hopes to face a liability claim, having insurance means you’re prepared. If an incident occurs that could lead to a claim, follow these steps:

1. Remain Calm: You will provide the best support by keeping a level head.
   
   
2. Document the Incident: Note the Who, What, Where, When and How of the incident, be sure to collect any needed evidence or information.
   
   
3. Report the Claim: Promptly report the potential claim.  EMPA members call the EMPA office at (210) 960-8807, and we will guide you through the process and forward the necessary information to the insurance carrier.

Yes, as long as your EMPA policy was active at the time of the incident, you would have the same coverage under our policy, even if you are no longer practicing.

Applying for insurance is quick and easy:

1. Complete the Online Application: Fill out the application form on our website.
2. Choose Your Payment Method: Pay online for immediate processing or mail in a payment. Please note that applications cannot be processed until payment is received.
3. Receive Proof of Insurance: Once everything is in order, your insurance will take effect the following day, and your proof of insurance will be emailed to you.

Start your application today and secure your peace of mind! 

To become an EMPA member, you must meet the following criteria:

• Scope of Practice: Your practice should involve energy medicine activities, defined as evaluating and manipulating the human energy field, using the client's or practitioner's energy field  to affect changes in a client’s energy field and mental, emotional, physical, or spiritual health. In addition to energy medicine or subtle energy modalities, practices such as life and health coaching, hypnosis, and other verbal techniques and assessments are also eligible. (See our list of commonly accepted modalities)
• U.S. Residency: You must reside in the United States. While you may conduct remote sessions with clients outside the U.S., your location and services must be based within the United States. All claims must be brought in the United States.

Please note that U.S. citizenship is not required for membership.

For a current list of approved modalities and detailed policy exclusions and limitations, please refer to our website.  

Renewing your policy is simple:

1. Log Into Your Member Profile: Access your account and select the "Renew" option.
2. Update Your Information: Ensure all details are current and accurate.
3. Choose Your Payment Method: Pay online for instant processing or print your invoice and mail in your payment.

Your insurance becomes active as soon as your application is processed, typically within 48 hours of submission. Coverage starts immediately upon approval and remains in effect for one full year from that date.

Yes! If you’ve purchased either the Standard or Professional level of coverage, you can upgrade to a higher level at any time. You’ll simply email the administrator with your request. You’ll receive a prorated invoice  for the difference between the cost of your current policy and the new level of coverage. 

Membership Levels Available:

• Standard: Ideal for students and part-time practitioners working fewer than than 6 hours per week. Covers you for in-person sessions with up to 9 participants per session, with no limits for online sessions.
• Professional: Designed for practitioners working more than 6 hours per week, up to full-time practice. Covers you for in-person sessions with up to 9 participants per session, with no limits for online sessions.
• Premium: Perfect for practitioners or instructors working with larger in-person groups (1–99 participants). Also includes unlimited online session participation.

Upgrade your coverage anytime to match the evolving needs of your practice.  

Once your application is approved, your certificate of insurance will be emailed to the email address provided on your application.  

If you lose your certificate of insurance, simply call us 210-960-8807 or email us, and we’ll send you a replacement free of charge. You can choose to receive it by email or mail. Your certificate serves as proof of your liability coverage, so keeping a copy on hand is essential.

Processing your application typically takes just a few days, but it may take up to a week for you to receive your certificate of coverage via email. If you have an urgent need, let us know when submitting your application, and we’ll do our best to expedite the process.

We understand that not all modalities issue certificates or are based on formal instruction. Here’s what you can do:

• Provide Workshop Documentation: Any proof of participation in workshops or classes, such as a participation certificate, will be accepted.
• Request Documentation: If you don’t have documentation, reach out to your place of instruction to request verification.
• Contact Us: If you have further questions or concerns, feel free to get in touch—we’re here to help.

Our insurance provider requires proof of training to ensure you are qualified for the modalities you request coverage for. In the event of a claim, your training documentation serves as evidence of your competence to practice the specific modality in question.

Unfortunately, once your application is approved and your policy is issued, refunds are not available. Your insurance certificate remains valid for the full term of the policy, providing coverage for the entire period specified.

Yes, liability insurance is essential even as a student. It protects you from incidents or claims that may arise during your energy work, whether you’re practicing or volunteering. While you may not be at fault, dissatisfied clients or unforeseen injuries can still lead to legal action. Without insurance, you’d be responsible for legal defense and potential settlement costs. For a small investment, it’s worth the protection and peace of mind.

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Our list of covered modalities is extensive and always expanding as practitioners bring new modalities that align with our coverage. If your modality isn’t listed, please contact our office to discuss whether it can be included under your policy.

Yes! Your liability coverage extends to any location where you work within the United States, including offices, on-site locations, seminars, conventions, healthcare facilities, spas, and client homes.

Your insurance policy is issued in your legal name and covers your professional activities. While your business is not considered a separate insured entity, it is protected for liabilities that directly arise from your covered professional activities under the policy.

For a detailed explanation, watch our video: Should My Insurance Be in My Name or My Business Name?

An additional insured is a person or business entity added to your policy who would also be covered under its defense in the event of a lawsuit. A certificate of additional insured does not provide direct coverage to the additional insured. Instead, it extends coverage for liabilities related to your professional activities, as specified in a written contract between you and the additional insured.

This arrangement is often used for:

• Temporary Situations: Such as the host or sponsor of a workshop or event.
• Ongoing Circumstances: Like adding a landlord for a rental property or a healing clinic where you practice.

This ensures everyone involved has appropriate protection under the agreed terms.

Your policy automatically covers your spouse and your employees for liability arising from your professional activities. They do not need to be added separately.

However, this coverage does not extend to their professional activities. If your spouse or employees work directly with clients in your business, they will each need their own policy to ensure they are individually covered for professional liability.

Yes! Your professional liability protects you for work-related liability wherever you practice, including in your home. 

While homeowners' and renters' insurance does include liability coverage it typically has an exclusion specifically for businesses and professional activities. Your liability policy through EMPA would include coverage for both general liability and professional liability. Giving you protection in the event of claims of bodily injury, property damage, errors or negligence wherever you practice within the United States.

Your homeowners' or renters' insurance may have a small allowance (called incidental) for business property such as a computer, but typically business property kept in your home is not covered. To be sure that your equipment is covered it is best to talk with your homeowners'/renters' insurance provider to see if they can add coverage for your business property to your existing coverage or if you need a separate business property policy.

No, your EMPA policy does not cover personal property or the contents of your workspace. This is common for liability policies, as property coverage typically requires a separate policy designed for business equipment and assets. You may want to explore options with an insurance provider that offers commercial property coverage.

The general liability portion of your policy does include coverage for damage to your rented space and the building itself if it results from your professional activities.

Your policy covers distance and remote work as long as you are in the United States while providing the service, regardless of where your client is located. If a legal issue arises, the lawsuit must be filed in the United States for coverage and defense to apply.

Our policy covers the practitioner for their professional activities with participants during and directly related to a session, workshop or training of their approved modality. Additional activities outside of the session or training fall outside the intended scope of this policy. This coverage is sufficient if you are speaking at someone else’s event.

The activities involved with hosting an event/ retreat/ workshop such as lodging, travel, meals, facility rental, hiring staff, etc. would fall outside the scope of the policy. Additional educational topics or activities not related to energy medicine, healing or health would also be outside the scope of the policy. If you are planning to host these types of events, a business policy is recommended to cover those aspects of your business.

EMPA’s professional and general liability insurance covers your work with clients within the scope of approved modalities listed on our website. However, it does not cover liability arising from the function or malfunction of any device used in the delivery of your client services..

Liability for devices is generally the responsibility of the product’s manufacturer. If you need coverage for the device itself (as property), this can often be obtained through a property or business policy. You may want to explore options with an insurance provider that offers commercial property coverage.

EMPA’s  policy covers only the coaching or spiritual guidance aspects of your ministry. Other ministerial services fall outside the scope of this coverage.

Yes, digital services that are recorded sessions or recorded training sessions  are covered under your policy if they meet the following criteria:

•   The content consists of recorded sessions or training led solely by the insured, sharing information typically provided during live sessions or training.
•   The content must be educational and not intended as medical treatment, diagnosis, or prescription.

Ownership of the content is not covered, and coverage does not extend to other individuals included in the recordings.

To ensure coverage, you must:

•   Provide Disclosures: Inform participants about the content’s educational purpose and that it is not a substitute for medical treatment or diagnosis, or for legal or financial advice.
•   Obtain Written Informed Consent: Ensure participants understand, acknowledge and accept the disclaimers and disclosures.
•   Secure Releases: Obtain proper permissions from any participants appearing in the recordings.

This approach ensures your digital offerings align with policy requirements and protect all parties involved.

No, liability for products you create, whether used during a session or sold separately, falls outside the scope of this policy.

This policy covers you for the use of products during your services, but liability for those products is the responsibility of the manufacturer and any claim related to the product would need to be addressed under the product manufacturer's liability coverage, not this policy.