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Dietitians of Canada Insurance Program

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DC recently shared that it has appointed a new Insurance Broker, BMS Canada Risk Services (BMS). This change is effective immediately and provides members access to additional coverage, risk management resources and exceptional service.

Learn more here.


DC is pleased to offer combined Professional Liability Insurance and Commercial General Liability Insurance to members at the competitive annual rate of $91 (plus provincial taxes) for the 2023-2024 policy year. This annual fee is not prorated and all policies expire at 12:01am on July 1, 2024. 


You can buy insurance here

 


What is Professional Liability Insurance?
Professional Liability insurance (PLI) protects you against liability or allegations of liability for injury or damages that have resulted from a negligent act, error, omission, or malpractice that has arisen out of your professional capacity as a dietitian. PLI protects dietitians by ensuring that your legal defence is coordinated and paid for if a claim is made against you. Your PLI also covers the cost of client compensation, or damages.

What is Commercial General Liability Insurance?
Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance protects you against claims arising from injury or property damage that you (or your business, including your staff) may cause to another person as a result of your operations and/or premises. For example, a client may slip and fall on a wet floor and injure themselves or you may cause property damage to a client’s home during a consultation.

PLI and CGL coverage for DC members
Members who participate in the DC PLI/CGL program receive:

  • Professional Liability Insurance - $5,000,000 per claim/aggregate, which meets all of the provincial college requirements
  • Reimbursement if you are summoned before any hearing before a regulatory board in Canada up to a limit of $50,000.
  • Lost wages reimbursement up to $250 per day should you be required to attend pre-trial, trial or appeal
  • Reimbursement up to $100,000 for criminal defence expenses as long as the professional services was rendered in Canada and the member is found “not guilty” of the criminal charge
  • Coverage up to $10,000 for the rehabilitation and therapy of a person who, while a patient or client, suffered abuse in the course of an insured member’s practice
  • Cyber Security and Privacy Liability extension that includes $50,000 for Network Security Liability, Privacy Liability and Electronic Media Liability in the event of a Cyber Breach that compromises your business or client data
  • Commercial General Liability - $3,000,000 per claim / policy year for claims including bodily injury and property damage, personal and advertising injury, and more

***Insurance fees are waived for students completing a practicum experience (proof of practicum required). Please ensure that you select the insurance coverage you need and upload the correct form (if applicable) when you renew your membership.***
 


You can buy insurance here

Watch this video to learn more about PLI and CGL


NEW! Additional insurance solutions for members

BMS is offering a number of additional insurance solutions for members to protect their practices and businesses. Please review the products below. If this is of interest to you, DC members can purchase additional coverage through the DC/BMS online portal at www.dietitians.bmsgroup.com.

$1M Cyber Security & Privacy Liability
Cyber liability is one of the fastest growing areas of risk and healthcare professionals are not immune. Participants can purchase comprehensive Cyber Security and Privacy Liability coverage to protect against claims arising out of theft, loss, or unauthorized disclosure of a third party’s personally identifiable information. Coverage is designed to manage the risk of holding increasingly large quantities of personally identifiable data of clients, employees, and others, and to mitigate the reputational damage resulting from a data security breach.

Employment Practices Liability (EPL)
Do you employ administrative and/or professional staff? Does your business engage independent contractors, volunteers, or students? EPL coverage protects you and your business against allegations of employment practice violation, including wrongful termination, discrimination, workplace harassment, and other employment related allegations with Employment Practices Liability insurance.

Business Professional Liability
This policy responds if your business name is brought into a statement of claim or lawsuit alleging negligence or malpractice. Following an incident, a client’s legal counsel will commonly name all individuals involved in the client’s care, including the business as the larger provider of services. A Business PLI policy protects your business assets in these circumstances.

Office Package (Commercial General Liability, Property/Contents, Crime, and Business Interruption)
The Dietitians of Canada program offers a Commercial Business Package, which includes coverage for Commercial General Liability Insurance (CGL), Property/Contents, Crime, and Business Interruption. Members who operate a private practice in which they are the sole professional, and also rent or own a space for which they require contents coverage, are encouraged to consider purchasing this product.

Legal Services Package
Specialized assistance for personal and business matters. For $35/year, DC members have access to a 24/7 telephone legal helpline to ask general business or personal legal questions. You have access to a library of legal document templates and can contact a lawyer to review your simple legal documents or draft a letter on your behalf. Members also have access to emotional support assistance, identity theft protection services, and human resources help.

Legal Expense Insurance
A Legal Expense Insurance policy automatically includes the Legal Services Package and is combined with insurance coverage that empowers you to defend or pursue your rights in court. The Personal Legal Expense policy provides insurance to cover the legal costs for resolving a range of disputes, including:

  • Pursuit or defence of Contract Disputes
  • Pursuit or defence of Tenancy Disputes
  • Total Loss Valuation Disputes (motor vehicle)
  • Defence of Driver’s Licence Protection
  • Pursuit for Bodily Injury
  • Pursuit for Property Protection
  • Defence for Tax Protection
The Business Legal Expense policy provides insurance to cover for legal costs for resolving a range of disputes, including:
  • Employee’s Extra Protection
  • Auto Legal Defence
  • Defence of Contract Disputes & Debt Recovery
  • Defence for Statutory Licence Appeals
  • Pursuit for Property Protection
  • Pursuit for Bodily Injury
  • Tax Protection

24 Hour Accident Insurance
This coverage is designed to provide you and your loved ones with financial assistance in the event of an accident that results in injury or death. 24 Hour Accident Insurance provides a lump sum benefit where:

  • a loss or death occurs due to an Accident, and
  • where, as the result of accidental injury, the disablement results in a permanent total disability.
The policy also provides coverage for:
  • Repatriation costs, and
  • Rehabilitation (training) costs should you require special training in order to be qualified to engage in a different occupation following an insured accident
What coverage do I need? A quick guide to deciding on insurance

Are you a student? Find out more about insurance while doing your practicum

This content has been developed in partnership with DC’s insurance broker, BMS Canada Risk Services Ltd. (BMS). It is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute broker advice. Please speak with a broker at BMS if you have any questions about your insurance coverage or your specific insurance needs.
 
Contact Information:
For more information on how to buy PLI or CGL insurance as a DC member, contact DC Member Services.
 
For BMS support or to talk to an insurance professional, please contact: 
  • Toll Free: 1-844-200-7210
  • Email: dietitians.insurance@bmsgroup.com
For more information about your Insurance Broker, BMS, and Insurance Regulatory Principles of Conduct, please click here

Updated: June 8, 2023
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