Introducing our
Enhanced Insurance
Program for CPAs
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Ontario Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (OSLA)

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions:

I currently have insurance with OLSA’s prior provider expiring on Jan 1. 2014. Do I switch to OSLA new provider now ?

No. Your current coverage will remain in force until Jan 1. 2014. We will notify you shortly of the instructions to renew with LMS PROLINK on the new program.

What is Professional Liability Insurance and why do I need it?

Professional Liability Insurance or Errors & Omissions (E&O) protects you in the event a third party (ie client) makes a claim against you or your practice arising out your professional service of a Speech-Language Pathologist, Audiologist, or Communicative Disorders Assistant. The policy will respond to liability from negligence while rendering or failure to render professional service. Professional Liability insurance provides claims assistance and legal representation. The limit of insurance purchased covers both legal defense costs and damages awarded to a third party.

As I am solely an employee. Would my employer’s insurance policy not protect me ?

As a regulated health care professional, relying on your employers insurance can be risky. Should you be named in a lawsuit, your employer yourself will be named in the suit. Your employers liability policy is responsible for your actions while providing professional services on their behalf.

However:

  • The limit of insurance on your employers policy will be shared by you, your employer or anyone else named in a suit. If the judgment against you is higher than your employers limit of insurance, you could be responsible for your share of the excess amount.
  • You are most likely not aware if your employer is keeping their insurance up to date. If their policy is cancelled or lapsed you will not have coverage for yourself.
  • Do you conduct professional services outside your employment agreement ? Your employer’s policy surely would not cover your moonlighting activities.
  • Your employer’s policy will not defend you when a member of the public makes a complaint to your regulatory body or if you are charge criminally. Anyone can make a complaint about you to your regulatory body at no cost to themselves. However, YOU will be responsible to respond to the complaint or subsequent disciplinary action. The average cost of a lawyer in Ontario that specializes in defending regulatory health care professionals is $500 per hour. The OSLA insurance policy will pay up to $100,000 in legal fees in the event of a complaint to your regulatory body.

You worked too hard and spent too many years educating yourself to allow your name, reputation and career to be ended in a sea of legal fees.

What is the difference between professional liability insurance and General Liability insurance?

As mentioned above, professional liability insurance covers you from negligently rendering or failing to render professional service. (Commercial) General Liability insurance or CGL provides coverage for claims brought against an OSLA professional by third parties alleging bodily injury, personal injury and property damage for which you are legally liable. CGL insurance protects OSLA professionals for their non-professional exposures. For example, a client that slips and falls on your premise will claim against your CGL insurance. CGL is designed to work with and not duplicate coverage from professional liability insurance. This is an optional coverage on the OSLA program.

When I take out insurance through LMS PROLINK, is this for an annual term?

All policies under the LMS PROLINK OSLA program will expire April 1, 2015. The insurance renewal date was moved to April to coincide with your OSLA membership renewal date. You will be charged a pro-rated amount depending on when you sign up for insurance. For example, members joining Jan. 1 2014 will be charged for a 15 month term.

What is my User Name and Password to apply online ?

For complete instructions please contact OSLA directly or LMS PROLINK at [email protected] or 1-800-663-6828 ext. 7735 or 416-644-7735

I applied and paid online. Should I have received confirmation in the mail ?

No. You would have received your credit card confirmation via email. To view and print your evidence of insurance, go directly to www.lms.ca/login. Your user name will be your complete email address, and your new password was created by you during the online application process.