Your residency determines the legal jurisdiction under which your practice and protection fall. We explore why this is a non-negotiable when it comes to insurance.
When you join IICT, you no longer stand alone. You become part of a global family of practitioners who value professionalism, credibility and, most importantly, each other. While your membership and insurance are always arranged from your country of residence, you’ll be connected to a worldwide community that supports and uplifts you every step of the way. That’s our mission at IICT.
Time for the nitty gritty: If you live in Australia or New Zealand, you can add insurance to your membership through our Australian/New Zealand partner, BMS. If you’re based in Europe or the UK, your membership and insurance can be registered with BGI. If you’re based in the United States, your membership and insurance can be through Lockton Affinity and, for our friends in Canada, your insurance partner is BMS Canada. This isn’t just a technicality; it’s about ensuring that you’re supported and protected in the context of your local laws, your working environment and your scope of practice.
So why does this matter?
When it comes to providing professional healthcare and healing services, location is everything. Your residency determines the legal jurisdiction under which your practice and protection fall. If you have any questions regarding retreats, working overseas or working online with overseas clients, please contact IICT’s insurance partner in your area directly.
What if you’re teaching online? Location still matters
One of the most common questions we get asked is: “I live in Australia, but I teach clients online around the world. Do I need different insurance?” This is where it gets nuanced and we bring in the experts.
Teaching online can reach global audiences; however, your practice is still anchored in your country of residence. We recommend contacting our insurance partner in your region for guidance tailored to your modality and business model. They’re the experts and can provide you with accurate, up-to-date information about your specific coverage needs.
Where you can find IICT
IICT currently offers membership and insurance support in the following regions:
This is inclusive of 35 countries worldwide.
Why being covered is a non-negotiable
Having professional membership is an important step, and being insured is what gives your natural therapies practice a solid foundation. It offers peace of mind, for both you and your clients, and is often a requirement when renting clinic spaces, offering retreats or teaching online. Please note, it is important to always consult directly with our insurance partner.
Obtaining professional insurance signals to your clients that you take your work seriously. It creates a layer of trust and professionalism that supports your credibility, especially in an industry that’s unregulated.
In summary, when it comes to membership and insurance, this must be taken out in your country of residence. It’s the anchor that determines how and where you’re protected. If you’re unsure, our team is here to help – and we love to chat!
IICT Membership Support: +61 2 5629 7777
Australian and New Zealand members:
You must be a current International Institute for Complementary Therapists (IICT) member to be eligible to register for the IICT Member Insurance Program. You must be part of the IICT Member Insurance program in order to access additional cover. If your membership ceases you will not be offered renewal when your policy expires. In offering this insurance to our members IICT is a distributor of BMS Risk Solutions Pty Ltd (BMS) AFSL 461594, ABN 45161187980 (Australia members) and BMS Risk Solutions (NZ) Limited (BMS), FSP 696531, NZBN 9429047279339 (New Zealand members). Professional Indemnity and Public Liability insurance is arranged by BMS under binder with Certain Underwriters at Lloyds (the insurer). When acting under a binder BMS acts as agent for the insurer and not as your agent. This is general advice only and BMS has not considered whether it was suitable for your personal circumstances, current objectives, needs or financial situation. Please read the Policy Wording and the BMS Terms of Engagement which contains the Financial Services Guide (Australia members) and any Disclosure Statement (New Zealand members) before making a decision about purchasing this policy. As a distributor, IICT may receive a percentage of the commission paid to BMS by the insurer and/or a fee per policy in offering this insurance to members.
Article written by: Kate Duncan, IICT
|
|
Kate is the Content Writer of IICT and has been a prominent voice in the wellness industry for over a decade. Kate’s experience as the editor of two Australian health and wellness magazines offers a wealth of insights into the natural health space, which she now shares with IICT. Kate has extensively studied Yoga, Ayurveda and Massage Therapy. When she’s not working, you’ll find Kate treasuring moments with her son, surfing one of Byron Bay’s beautiful breaks or spending time in nature with her family. |