Student Professional Liability FAQs
- Who is eligible?
- Why do I need coverage while I'm in school?
- How much coverage can I get as a student?
- What is covered with this malpractice insurance program?
- Who provides the coverage?
- How soon will insurance coverage begin after the application is submitted?
- How much does this coverage cost?
- Am I covered if my school has malpractice insurance coverage for its students?
- Will this insurance cover me if I get a part time job?
- Will I receive a discount when I graduate?
- How do I make my payment?
- Who can I call if I have additional questions?
Who is eligible?
To be eligible for individual coverage, a student must be enrolled in a Council on Social Work Education accredited social work degree program, or a program approved for candidacy. The Student must be a member of NASW at the time the application for coverage is made.
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Why do I need coverage while I'm in school?
Unfortunately, malpractice risk starts while you're in school. Even as a student, you can be sued for malpractice during your duties and field placement as part of your school curriculum. And whether the charges are justified or not, you'll have to defend yourself. And at the start of your career, this is not a risk you should be willing to take.
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How much coverage can I get as a student?
With individual student coverage, you can protect your future career and personally protect yourself and possibly your family against costly legal fees and malpractice damages. Select the limit of liability that's right for you. Your liability limit per claim can range from $1 million to $2 million for all damages arising from each claim of wrongdoing or omission. The annual aggregate (maximum) limits range from $1 million to $4 million.
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What is covered with this malpractice insurance program?
In addition to the liability limits you select, you receive other important benefits with your coverage.
- Designated legal counsel and payment of related defense costs are provided.
- No deductible insurance against claims from your professional training
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Who provides the coverage?
Underwritten by the American Home Assurance Group and administered by American Professional Agency, Inc. (APA), this program has been meeting the needs of social work students with caring professional service for over 40 years. And it's the only professional liability program overseen by social workers who will advocate on your behalf should your situation warrant it.
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How soon will insurance coverage begin after the application is submitted?
Students must be members of NASW before applying for the individual student coverage. Once a student becomes a member of NASW, it can take as little as 24-48 hours to obtain coverage when you fax your application and pay for your coverage by credit card online. Usually insurance coverage begins the first day of the month following acceptance of the application and payment of the premium. Consideration will be given to those applicants requiring a date other than the first of the month, however no policies will be back-dated. You will need to make this request at the time your application is submitted.
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How much does this coverage cost?
Depending on the liability limit selected, the premium rate ranges between $23 and $41 per year for an individual student.
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Am I covered if my school has malpractice insurance coverage for its students?
Yes. If your college or university has professional liability insurance blanket coverage for your school, you are covered under that policy for your practicum work. It's important to know that once you enter the workforce as a professional social worker, though, there could be gaps in coverage offered by your employer. Maintaining your own individual professional liability insurance policy will ensure that you are completely covered.
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Will this insurance cover me if I get a part time job?
No, the student liability program is designed to cover the risks associated with field study placement only and does not cover employment related activities. If you get a job working in the field of social work that is not part of your school-sponsored curriculum, you will need additional coverage for those activities. You may apply for an individual social worker professional liability policy or you may be able to obtain coverage through your employer. NASW Assurance Services offers significant discounts on premium rates for new graduates under our professional liability program.
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Will I receive a discount when I graduate?
As a NASW member, you may be eligible for a 30% discount on professional liability insurance rates during your first two years of professional NASW membership once you graduate. To qualify, you must graduate with either a BSW or MSW from an approved social work program; you must be entering professional social work (paid or volunteer) for the first time, and you must be under the direct supervision of a qualified professional. For more information, or to apply, call (800) 421-6694.
Additionally, if you maintain continuous membership going from student to professional membership, you will be eligible for discounted transitional membership rates during your first two (BSW) or three (MSW / DSW) years of NASW membership. For more details, contact NASW Member Services at 800-742-4089.
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How do I make my payment?
The quickest way to obtain coverage is to fax your application and pay by credit card online. To coordinate this, please contact the Social Work Student Department at 800-421-6694.
Your application, check payment and correspondence may also be directed by mail to:
The American Professional Agency95 Broadway
Amityville, NY 11701
To communicate with the Social Work Student department by email:
student@americanprofessional.com.
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Who can I call if I have additional questions?
If you have questions, please call our program administrator, the American Professional Agency, at (800)421-6694 and ask to speak to the Social Work Student department. They will be happy to answer all your questions.
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