The subject of insurance for caregivers, or in legal terms, personal responsibility of caregivers, is a hot topic on many government watch groups. Why is this? The fact is that personal responsibility is one of the cornerstones that stand up strong in our civil society. It is what separates those who are prospering from those who are struggling.
Why do we need insurance for caregivers? Because caregivers work with very high risk individuals, and the risk inherent in the job is very high as well. Whether working for an agency or self-employed, even independent, home-care service providers can be legally sued if they hurt another person while being in their care. If a caregiver injured a client who was under the care of that caregiver, that individual may have recourse to hold the caregiver responsible. How does this factor into your decision to become a caregiver? Well, the answer to this question actually relates to why you may need insurance for caregivers.
You will need to have some sort of professional liability insurance to protect yourself if you hurt another individual while being employed by a family or other organization providing home care. In some cases, this means a policy specifically tailored to a caregiver position (ie., occupational therapy assistants). However, insurance for caregivers is available in many places. Some organizations offer their employees (including the aides) the opportunity to purchase additional professional liability insurance, which protects the organization as a whole, should the aide injure someone in their care.
Another reason you may need this coverage is because of your auto insurance rates. Some insurance companies don’t let personal caregivers provide car transport for the handicapped and elderly. This means that the caregiver must carry all of the equipment and medications in his own vehicle, which adds up to extra expenses. However, some insurers will allow additional options for the insured. If the aide is able to provide the same services in a residential setting, the caregiver may be able to get a separate policy. Or, if she has an employer-sponsored policy, she may be able to switch to an insurer with more affordable auto insurance rates.
Finally, there are certain states’ laws that govern the types of professionals who can drive private passenger vehicles. For example, there is a ban on high-risk drivers driving motorcycles and other vehicles, including motorbikes. Many states also require drivers to have a motorcycle endorsement, which is required for most caregivers. Unfortunately, some states also have laws that prevent high-risk auto insurance from covering the caregiver’s home health aide. Therefore, it is critical that you check the applicable state law before embarking on a career as a home care worker.
The best way to find low-cost health and medical transportation is through a good car insurance policy. The caregiver should always weigh her options before accepting any auto insurance policy offered by a potential insurer. Not only will this help her save money, but she may also be able to skip paying any excess premium that the insurer charges. This can potentially save the caregiver hundreds of dollars per year, or even more. However, it is essential that the caregiver is able to demonstrate that her clients are safe drivers who take care of their own medical needs in a responsible manner.
A lot of people want to get license home care in West Virginia, but are unsure how to start the business. First you need to consider that home care is different from a regular job. Here are some of the things that you need to consider when you start your business.