Insurance is one of those things that often sits at the bottom of the to do list when you’re setting up or running your health or wellbeing business. Your priority is your clients - assessing, supporting and caring for them - not reading insurance documents.
However, having appropriate cover in place can be a key part of helping to protect your livelihood and your professional reputation. In a climate where civil claims can be a concern, insurance can provide an important safety net for you, your business and your clients, within the scope of the policy terms and conditions.
Health and wellbeing practitioners and businesses – what to look for
There are lots of different insurance providers and packages to choose from. Balens have been developing insurance solutions for health and wellbeing practitioners since the 1990’s and understand what is needed to help protect your livelihood.
This article walks you through the main types of cover to consider.
Professional Liability and Malpractice Insurance
Covers you or your business if a client alleges negligence, error or omission following treatment or advice.
Why do I need this cover?
If you are providing hands-on treatment (for example, massage, reflexology, sports therapy) or giving any advice or instruction (for example, fitness classes, nutrition, coaching), a client could allege that they have suffered:
- Physical injury from the treatment or activity
or
- Mental anguish, distress or other non-physical harm as a result of your advice or actions.
Even if you have done nothing wrong, defending yourself can be costly and time-consuming.
How could the policy protect me?
- It can pay for legal defence costs if a claim is made against you.
- It can cover compensation awarded to the client, if you are found legally liable, up to the policy limits.
- It can help you manage the impact on your professional reputation.
Claims in Action:
After a deep tissue massage, a client develops back pain and is unable to work for several weeks. They allege that you used excessive pressure and did not check their medical history properly. They claim for pain, suffering and loss of earnings. A Professional Liability & Malpractice policy could cover defence costs and, if necessary, any compensation.
Public Liability
Protects you if someone is injured or their property is damaged in connection with your business activities.
Why do I need this cover?
Injury or damage can arise even when you are not providing treatment. For example, a client could slip on a wet floor in your reception area, or you might accidentally spill oil on a client’s personal belongings. You could be held legally responsible for that injury or damage.
How could the policy protect me?
- Covers legal defence costs if a third party alleges you caused injury or property damage.
- Pays compensation and associated costs if you are found legally liable, up to the policy limits and subject to the policy terms and exclusions.
Claims in Action:
A client trips over a loose cable in your treatment room and fractures their wrist. They bring a claim for pain and suffering and loss of earnings. A Public Liability policy could cover your legal costs and any compensation awarded.
Products Liability
Covers claims arising from defective products you supply, use, or recommend as part of your practice.
Why do I need this cover?
If you sell, supply, or use products as part of your service - such as oils, creams, supplements, supports or exercise equipment - a client could allege that a product caused them harm, even if you did not manufacture it. Claims can be made against anyone in the supply chain.
How could the policy protect me?
- Covers legal defence costs if a claim is made that a product you supplied, used, or recommended caused injury or damage.
- Pays compensation and costs (subject to policy terms and limits) if you are found legally liable.
Claims in Action:
In addition to running a massage and aromatherapy clinic, you also sell products to customers. You do not manufacture these products; instead, you purchase them from a third party and you apply your own company branding before sale.
You sell a body lotion to a customer who has clearly declared a nut allergy. You check the ingredient list, and confirm that the product appears suitable, and proceed with the sale. The customer later reports that they have suffered an allergic reaction and developed a rash, and they bring a claim against you.
It is subsequently discovered that the manufacturer had mislabelled the product’s ingredients. Although you were not directly responsible for the labelling error, a claim can still be brought against you due to their role in the supply chain as a branded supplier of the product.
Additional covers to look out for
The below are included in your Balens policy as standard. When looking at cover options be sure to consider the following:
- Claims made vs. claims occurring - Understand whether your policy works on a “claims made” basis (it responds to claims first made and notified during the policy period) or a “claims occurring” basis (it responds to incidents that occurred during the period, even if the claim is made later). This affects how and when cover may respond. Your Balens policy is written on a claims occurring basis, ensuring cover is in place should you take a break from your practice or cease trading.
- Loss of professional reputation - Protects you against certain costs associated with damage to your professional standing following an insured claim, helping you manage and mitigate reputational harm.
- Pure financial loss (where no physical injury or damage has occurred) - Some claims may relate purely to financial loss (for example, alleged incorrect advice leading to lost income) even where there is no bodily injury or property damage; this cover can help respond to those types of claims.
- Breach of confidentiality - Covers claims where a client alleges that you have disclosed or mishandled their confidential information or records.
- Legal defence for criminal allegations - May provide cover for legal defence costs if you face certain criminal allegations arising from your professional activities (subject to policy terms and exclusions).
- Costs relating to tax investigations - Some policies offer support with professional fees incurred in dealing with HMRC investigations connected to your business.
Other considerations:
You may also want to protect your business against other risks, Balen have separate packages available for the following:
- Employers liability
- Buildings and contents
- Equipment cover
- Personal accident
- Business interruption
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice or a recommendation. It does not take into account your individual circumstances. All covers are subject to the specific terms, conditions, limits and exclusions of the policies arranged. You should refer to your policy documents and, if in doubt, seek appropriate professional or insurance advice before acting on any of the information provided.
January 2026