Doula Insurance

Doulas Professional Indemnity Insurance

As a doula, you are in the privileged position of journeying with parents from before the birth of their child through early parenthood. The experience of helping someone from before their baby takes their first breath to their first milestones can be profound, but the weight of responsibility is significant. 

Professional indemnity insurance for doulas is an important component of this business. It provides a safety net against unforeseen incidents that could lead to claims being made against you and it allows you to focus on what you do best, which is to support families as they go through intensely personal and life-changing events.  

What insurance do doulas need? 

As a doula, it’s highly recommended you take out doula insurance which protects you against claims of professional negligence or malpractice. It is not a legal requirement for a doula to have this insurance in the UK, but it may be a requirement to be a part of Doula UK, or other leading organisations for doulas in the UK. 

The job of a doula is to support families and give advice where necessary. You never know when a client may feel dissatisfied or experience some kind of loss as a result of your advice. If your client feels that your advice harmed them in some way, they may lay a claim against you.

Keep a lookout for professional indemnity insurance for doulas. Compare as many quotes with the help of a comparison site like Quotezone.co.uk to find the most suitable insurance for your doula practice. 

Is professional indemnity insurance a legal requirement for doulas? 

Doula indemnity insurance is not a legal requirement, but you would do well to invest in this type of insurance. Working with families and babies in particular is a very delicate job that requires skill and diplomacy. 

Should anything happen that leaves your client feeling dissatisfied with your service or advice while in your care, they may lay a claim against you which could become very costly.

Professional indemnity insurance for doulas is a safeguard for your doula practice and it communicates professionalism to your clients which in return enhances your professional credibility. 

What risks does professional indemnity insurance protect doulas against? 

Doula professional indemnity insurance will typically cover the following types of situations: 

•  Legal costs – You would likely need a lawyer to settle the dispute. These costs can add up. 
• Compensation payouts – Should a client claim for negligence or harm from the advice or services you offered, this will typically be covered. 
• Confidentiality breach – Unintentional breach of privacy or confidentiality could lead to a claim and this will usually be covered. 

What are the typical policy exclusions with this doula insurance? 

Professional indemnity cover for a doula has its exclusions. You can find these written in your policy documents. Here are some typical situations that would usually not be considered for payout by your insurance provider: 

• Intentional or criminal acts against your clients 
• Incidents that fall outside of the inception date of the policy 
• Doulas are not medical professionals, therefore claims that relate to medical treatment will usually not be covered. 

Is there really a chance of a mother suing a doula? 

Although it may seem unlikely that your clients would ever lay a claim against you, things can go wrong. An upset client may very well decide to take the matter further. 

Should this happen and you’re not covered, the costs associated with a claim like this could be crippling for your doula business. Taking out professional indemnity insurance for doulas is a sound investment that could save you a lot of money in the long run. 

How much does doula insurance cost, on average? 

The cost of doula insurance can vary depending on a couple of risk factors. These typically include things like: 

• The types of services you offer 
• The number of clients you interact with 
• Your previous claims history 

Depending on these and the level of coverage you want you could be paying more or less than the average cost of doula insurance. For a more accurate idea of costs, you can get personalised quotes at Quotezone.co.uk to help you find and compare costs from many different insurance providers. 

 What factors influence the cost of professional indemnity insurance for a doula? 

When requesting a quote for professional indemnity insurance for a doula, you will be asked a couple of questions to determine the level of risk your services pose. Here are some aspects the insurance provider will consider: 

• Your qualifications and years of experience 
• The services you provide
• The location of your business 
• Your claims history 
• Whether you work as an independent doula or as part of a doula organisation 

 If I’ve been sued by a previous doula client will that affect the cost of this policy? 

Typically, if you have been sued by a previous doula client, you will pay more for your insurance policy. The reason is that insurers consider your practice a higher risk than those that have had no claims made against them. 

To avoid paying higher premiums, make sure to comply with all risk management and safety protocols related to your type of practice. By doing this you could avoid unnecessary claims and keep your record clean. 

What about my location, will that affect the cost of my insurance? 

Your location will likely affect the cost of your insurance. Doula practices in bigger cities with a higher cost of living usually pay more than doula practices in more rural settings with a lower cost of living. 

Location is one of the markers that insurers look at to determine your insurance premium, so make sure to give accurate information when requesting a quote. 

Does my level of training influence the cost of doula insurance? 

The more qualifications you have as a doula the less you are perceived to be a high-risk candidate. Your levels of training and your years of experience as a doula will likely count in your favour when it comes to insurance premiums.

Make sure to compare as many quotes as possible to find the insurer that will reward you most for your level of training. 

How can I reduce the cost of my doula indemnity insurance? 

There are several ways that you could reduce the cost of your doula indemnity insurance: Here are a few to consider: 

• Maintain a clear record to qualify for a no-claims discount 
• Continue with your professional development by taking courses 
• Opt for a higher excess in the event of a claim 
• Compare many quotes to find the cheapest 
• Re-assess your policy regularly to check for any updates or change