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Professional Indemnity Insurance covers eligible members against civil action and for representation in coronial enquiries as a result of an incident arising out of the course of your employment. HACSU's Professional Indemnity Insurance is one of the important benefits that Direct Care Staff automatically receive as financial members of the Heath and Community Services Union.
This insurance is designed to provide protection for Nurses, Health Professionals and other Direct Care Staff. By taking out a group policy on behalf of all Direct Care members working in Psychiatric, Disability and Drug and Alcohol Services, the union has been able to provide these benefits at a fraction of the cost to an individual seeking similar insurance coverage. In fact with the rising cost of premiums in Australia private Professional Indemnity Insurance coverage of this kind has become unaffordable. HACSU has you covered as part of your weekly membership fees which, is also tax deductible.
Who is Covered?
An important feature of this policy is that it covers members as health care providers wherever they work and no matter who their employer is. This means that even members working on a casual basis will receive this important protection. The HACSU policy covers the following Direct Care Workers who are current financial members of HACSU. If you are not sure if you are covered then contact the HACSU Office.
The Terms of the Cover
The Professional Indemnity policy that HACSU has is based on an employer/employee relationship and therefore only covers financial members who are defined as employees.
The policy includes:
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Cover of up to $10 million for any one claim but limited to $50 million in total during the policy period - no excess.
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Working in a volunteer capacity, providing the scope of activity pertains to the members’ occupation.
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Attendance at Coronial enquiries.
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Private Practice - Provided the member is a sole trader, not operating a business as a partnership or as a business name (registered or unregistered) or as a registered company and the members income during the financial year does not exceed $20,000 gross from the work done in private practice. Midwifery activities whilst in private practice are not covered.
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Claims for damages or for compensation under the Trades Practices & State Fair Trading Legislation.
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Retroactive Cover - Under certain defined conditions the policy may cover members for circumstances that occurred prior to the commencement of the policy period.
Report to the Union
If you have knowledge of an incident/accident, previously occurred but not reported, and you have reason to believe a claim may now be made against you contact the union immediately.
It is the responsibility of members to report any circumstances that may lead to a claim during each policy period.
If you have changed you employment from non direct care work to working directly in a care role with patients/clients/residents it is important that you notify HACSU and complete a declaration form.
A declaration form can be downloaded from here.
Important Note: It is important to note that the information provided above only represents a summary of the policy coverage and must be read in conjunction with the definitions, exemptions and conditions of HACSU's Professional Indemnity Insurance Policy. Report forms can be e-mailed to the HACSU Office: hacsu@hacsu.asn.au or ring 1300 651 931 |
