Getting the Right Protection with Disability Care Insurance

Understanding Disability Care

Disability care refers to care provided to people living with disabilities, considered permanent and significant. Though seen as synonymous with Aged Care in terms of their services, the two are considered separate systems catering to different and special kinds of needs (To learn more About Aged Care, click here.).

With disability care, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), an independent statutory agency under the government of Australia, exists to provide lifelong support to eligible people with intellectual, physical, sensory, cognitive, and psychosocial disability (Read more about NDIS and how it helps disabled people and care providers here).

Disability Care: More Than Just Assisting

Disability care providers, support workers, or carers carry out daily physical tasks that may include bathing, dressing up the disabled person, feeding them and/or assisting them in all their activities. Carer duties play a part in the collective goal of the sector to empower and help the disabled integrate in the community by supporting them in pursuing their endeavors. This brings a sense of autonomy and a greater purpose in living life despite limitations.

Better Care for Carers

Read on to learn more about the right insurance for the most common exposures experienced in the field of care work. *

Scenario 1: Public Liability

Marc, a disability support worker, was helping a client with their domestic duties around the home. He accidentally spilt something on the kitchen floor, and before he had a chance to clean, his client entered the room and unfortunately slipped. As a result of the fall, she sustained back injuries. As this accident occurred due to Marc failing to clean up the spill in time and prevent the accident, he may be liable for costs associated to her personal injury including for medical and other costs.

What insurance will best cover him for this incident?

• Public and Products Liability Insurance provides protection for legal defence costs and awards/settlements, if there is an allegation of negligence arising from a company’s business activities that led to an injury to a third party or property damage.

Scenario 2: Professional Negligence

Zane, a 15-year-old paraplegic living with Cerebral Palsy (CP), was being lifted out of the bath by a hired care worker when he was accidentally dropped. Zane suffered a concussion and a broken limb because of this. His family decides to make the care facility liable for the medical costs of Zane’s injuries because of their staff’s negligence.

What insurance will best cover the business for this incident?

• Professional Indemnity Insurance provides cover for alleged acts, errors or omissions arising from professional negligence or breach of duty that results in property damage, personal injury, and/or financial loss to the person cared for or a third party.

Scenario 3: Injury to Workers

Anna, a disability care worker, was accompanying her client to a medical appointment. She was driving her own vehicle when she had a motor vehicle accident and sustained an injury to her back. She would need to have treatment and take time off work for recovery.

What are the best insurance types to cover for the financial loss in wages and medical costs as a result of her injury?

• Worker’s Compensation Insurance protects employees from work-related injuries and illnesses. If an employee is injured at work, this insurance covers their loss of earnings, medical expenses, and rehabilitation. It is compulsory for business owners in all states and territories in Australia to cover all their employees.
• Personal Accident Insurance is an alternative cover if Anna is self-employed care worker and Worker’s Compensations Insurance is not available. Having financial protection for weekly income is important, especially if the carer becomes ill or has an accident. Taking out this policy ensures that there is cover for weekly income in the event of accident or illness.

Although there are many other kinds of risks that carers may be exposed to, the minimum protection they should consider is Professional Indemnity Insurance, Liability Insurance, Worker’s Compensation Insurance and/or Personal Accident & Sickness Insurance.

Businesses in this industry should also consider the following insurance:

• Cyber Liability & Privacy Protection Insurance provides protection from the financial impact of a cyber-attack, privacy breach or confidential data loss. With businesses relying on the internet for their processes and records, the risk for cyber exposure is real. It is important to consider cover for possible cyber-attacks.
• Management Liability Insurance is designed specifically for private companies and their directors and officers. Corporate governance and regulatory surveillance places immense accountability and pressure on business and company directors and officers to perform their duties thoroughly. This policy provides protection for allegations of company mismanagement and the exposure to potential claims and legal action.

Every care worker in the disability care sector knows that their job is prone to unprecedented situations. Being insured with the appropriate covers allows them to continue on with their work with peace-of-mind knowing that they are protected.

About Optimum Insurance

Optimum Insurance Services are insurance advisers dedicated to providing expert and tailored opinions, risk/need analysis, comprehensive insurance options, and top-notch service for all kinds of businesses from quote to claim.

If you are interested in learning more about what we can do for you, let’s get in touch.