BCAK-British Columbia Association of Kinesiologists

1. What does Professional Liability insurance cover?

In general, Professional Liability covers you against allegations brought by a third party (i.e., a client) seeking damages resulting from a negligent or wrongful act, error, omission or arising from your profession and within your scope of practice.

2. Will the Professional Liability policy protect me if a complaint is filed against me with my Regulatory Body?

The chance of having someone file a formal complaint against you is greater than the chance of being sued. There are different regulatory bodies in each province; however, this policy will provide access to lawyers who specialize in defending professionals being investigated by a regulatory body or authority due to a complaint.

3. Will the Professional Liability policy protect me if I am charged with a criminal offence?

The policy will reimburse you for the legal defence costs incurred in a criminal action related to their services if the criminal charges are dropped or if you are found not guilty for the offence.

4. When do I need to update my policy?

You will know if you are served with a statement of claim. However, there are other circumstances where you should also contact PROLINK because it could constitute a claim under your Professional Liability policy.

The other circumstances include:

• A client or their lawyer issues a verbal or written demand for damages (i.e., a letter or email is sent to you);

• A client or their lawyer makes threatening comments verbally or in writing indicating that they are seeking damages and/or may sue you.

• You made a mistake in how you rendered your professional services and may have caused harm to a client.

5. The Professional Liability policy is a “claims-made” policy. What does "claims-made" mean?

"Claims-made" requires you to have a policy in effect when a claim is reported (made). Any claims are covered under the policy that is in force at the time and NOT the policy in force when the occurrence took place.

6. What is a retroactive date?

Retroactive Date: any claims that arise from incidents that occurred before this date are excluded from your policy.

7. Do I need any other type of insurance if I own or rent an office location?

Yes, you should purchase Commercial General Liability insurance. The Professional Practice Liability policy will not defend bodily injury or property damage claims brought against you related to your premises. You should also consider Property Insurance to protect your office contents.

8. What do I do if I receive a statement of claim?

Once you are aware of an actual or potential claim, report it to PROLINK immediately. Please refrain from making written or oral statements, and do not offer to compensate or admit liability. Taking such actions could interfere in the insurer’s ability to manage the claim.

1. Why is Commercial General Liability Important?

Unfortunately, you can be sued for any injuries or property damages that occur while working with clients—even if you’re not at fault. This situation is so common that most venues, government parties, and corporations require that you have this type of coverage in place before you engage in any contract.

Additionally, if you run your business from home, you could be at risk. For example, if a delivery man slips and falls delivering a work-related package, your typical home owner’s policy may not cover it. Commercial General Liability will.

2. What does Commercial General Liability cover?

Commercial General Liability covers you in the case of third party injuries and property damage that occurs through your professional activities. It also provides you with insurance for Tenant’s Legal Liability, Employer’s Liability, Voluntary Compensation and Non-Owned Automobile coverage and more.

3. What is a non-owned automobile?

This refers to vehicles that are not owned by your company, but are being used for business purposes. For example, it provides protection if an employee must drive their own personal vehicle for business use. It covers bodily injury and property damage that is caused by such vehicles, because otherwise the employer can be held liable for employee-perpetrated accidents.

1. Is my home office covered under my home insurance policy?

Not necessarily. You need to check your policy or request PROLINK‘s assistance to determine if adequate coverage is available.

2. My business doesn’t house a lot of furniture do I really need property insurance?

You may not think your business has anything of value. But when was the last time you properly assessed your office contents? You may be surprised at how quickly things add up.

And Property insurance offers protection for more than just traditional furniture. Computers, software, project files and resources, as well as any equipment you take on the road are also covered with this policy.

Plus, you can claim business interruption costs that result from the disruption of your physical space while you work to recover from an incident.

3. What are business interruption costs?

Funds to cover the actual loss you experience with property damage, not just the physical loss. This means any business income lost as a result of suspended operations while you repair your property.

1. Why is Cyber/Privacy Liability insurance important?

Every business runs the risk of experiencing a cyber/privacy breach at least once in their lifetime. Recently, sophisticated fraudsters have proven that even the most secure organizations are at risk, too. The prevalence of cyber-attacks is only expected to increase and businesses report massive financial losses as a result of managing the fall-out. While a good defence strategy can certainly help, it’s not a question of IF your company will experience a breach but when.

In Canada, privacy laws are ever-changing. And the process of navigating a breach is confusing and expensive. Damages are being awarded for not only sensitive information exposed, but for the resulting emotional injury as well. Finally, is every single one of your employees tech-savvy? Can they recognize a phish and stop scammers at the gate? The reality is that many breaches are caused by employee errors or mal-intent. And you need to be protected. Cyber/Privacy Liability insurance can help with that.

2. What does PROLINK’s Cyber/Privacy Liability offer?

• Our Cyber/Privacy Liability policy will provide you with funding for Public Relations services to manage the reputational impact of the breach, as well as, provisions for credit monitoring and client notification fees if sensitive client information is exposed.

• Additionally, you will be able to cover the legal defence fees in the case of a civil suit made against you, along with funds for court-awarded damages.

• Finally, you will have access to a breach coach who will guide you through the entire process.

3. What is a breach coach?

A breach coach is a lawyer who specializes in guiding firms through a Cyber/Privacy breach. They are there to provide you with the advice you’ll need to make the process as simple as possible.

1. Do I have to buy BOTH Health and Dental?

No, you can opt out of Dental if you feel that you already have sufficient coverage through another plan.

2. Which services are encompassed in Health and Dental insurance?

With your Health and Dental plan you can access:

• Extended healthcare coverage that includes:
  • Annual reimbursement for prescription drugs;
  • 80% reimbursement with dispensing fee deductible;
  • 15 paramedical services such as massage, chiropractic, homeopath, etc.
  • $5 million Emergency Medical Travel coverage for trips within province;
  • Vision coverage: $50 for examinations (every 24 months), $250 for hardware.
• Dental coverage for preventative and basic restorative procedures;
• Life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment coverage;
• A weekly income benefit should you become disabled;
• A long-term disability benefit that activates after 26 weeks of continuous disability;
• An assistance plan for counselling and advisory services.

3. How does the Weekly Disability Benefit function?

If you become totally disabled, this benefit pays $250 weekly. Benefits will begin on the first day of an accident or hospitalization and on the 15th day of sickness, continuing for a period of 26 weeks if necessary.

4. When does Long Term Disability begin to apply and for how long will I receive benefits after becoming completely disabled?

After 26 weeks of continuous total disability, up to $3,000 monthly benefit is paid out tax free. Benefits will be paid out until age 65.

1. Why do I need Life insurance?

If you have a family or dependents, your Life insurance can ensure that they won’t suffer financially following your death.

2. Does my age affect my life insurance premiums?

Yes. Typically, the older you are the higher the risk and by association, the premium. That’s why experts recommend purchasing a Life insurance policy when you are younger. However, other factors like gender, medical history, smoking, can also impact your premiums.

3. Are there any restrictions as to who I can name as a beneficiary?

There is no restriction to who you can name as a beneficiary. That being said, if a beneficiary is a minor then a Trustee must be appointed for the duration of time until the beneficiary reaches the age of majority.

4. Is the payment my beneficiary receives tax-free?

Yes.

1. Is Critical Illness insurance paid out to my family after I pass away?

No. Critical Illness insurance is a living benefit and is usually paid out to you as a lump-sum following a survival period of 30 days after diagnosis of one of the listed illnesses.

2. What is a survival period and how long does it last?

A survival period refers to the waiting time between receiving a diagnosis and when your benefit is paid out. For most Critical Illness policies, it is 30 days.

3. How is the lump sum determined?

Typically, you need to purchase coverage for up to two years of income. However, we can offer you access to limits of up to $1 million. There is also no associated deductible.

4. Are there any restrictions as to how I can use the money from my Critical Illness Insurance?

No. You can use your Critical Illness insurance for anything from medical treatment to a luxurious vacation. How you want to spend your money is completely up to you.

1. Is Travel Medical Insurance purchased per trip or on a yearly basis?

It’s up to you. Both types of policies are available. However, purchasing on a yearly basis means you will be covered for all trips you take during that year. Purchasing per trip is more limited.

2. Can I add any additional travel protection to this policy?

Yes. We can add Lost Baggage and Trip Cancellation extensions to your coverage.

3. What is covered under Lost Baggage?

This provides protection for the replacement value of items in baggage that is lost during travel.

4. What is covered under Trip Cancellation?

This coverage provides reimbursement for travel expenses (airfare and accommodation) when the trip must be cancelled prior to or after departure for some unforeseen reason.

1. What's included in my pet insurance policy?

Accidents, illnesses, dental exams, exam fees, alternative therapies, surgery, medication, preventative care and more are covered in your pet insurance policy.

2. What is co-insurance?

Co-insurance is the percentage you pay of the total cost of the claim. For example, if insurance covers 80% of the claim, you pay the 20% out-of-pocket.

3. I have more than one pet. Do you offer a volume discount?

Yes. You’ll receive 10% off for enrolling three or more pets, and 15% off for enrolling six or more pets.

4. Are pre-existing conditions covered?

No. Unfortunately, pre-existing conditions that showed symptoms before the policy was enacted or during the waiting periods are not covered.