Professional Liability Protection (PLP) insurance provides protection against malpractice claims arising from real or alleged errors or omissions, including negligence. This includes financial compensation to members of the public who have been harmed as a result of malpractice or negligence by a nurse. CNO by-law 44.4 requires that all nurses eligible to practice nursing in Ontario must have PLP, even if they are not working.
Legal expense coverage offers additional protection for nurses accused of malpractice or negligence, helping to cover the cost of legal defense. This also includes disciplinary matters before the College of Nurses. Most claims we see involve these disciplinary issues, which are often not covered by an employer’s insurance.
Without legal expense coverage, a nurse may have to pay these legal fees out-of-pocket, which often cost tens of thousands of dollars. While the College of Nurses does not require nurses to carry this added protection, it is included with your membership*. Other professional liability policies may not include legal expense coverage, so it’s important to know exactly what your insurance provides. Many employers do not offer liability insurance for nurses, and if you are terminated or leave your job, you could be left unprotected without a personal policy.
*Leal expense coverage included with Regular, New-Grad and Senior membership categories, subject to terms and conditions of the policy.
Both PLP insurance and Legal Expense Coverage are benefits of Regular, New-Graduate Registered with CNO, Senior, and Special Policy membership, at no additional cost to members. Membership begins on July 1st of each year, or on the date of purchase if purchased after July 1st and is not retroactive, subject to terms and conditions of the policy.
There is a $1,000,000 limit for each loss per nurse and $3,000,000 limit for all losses per year per nurse – meeting the mandatory CNO by-law requirement effective March 31, 2014 (CNO by-law 44.4).
While all nurses registered to practice in Ontario are required to hold Professional Liability Protection (PLP) that meets the CNO by-law 44.4, WeRPN’s policy does not cover claims arising from the operations of any business enterprise. On top of your PLP, you may need additional insurance, such as commercial general liability insurance, to protect yourself. For more information about business insurance, consider consulting with a business lawyer who can help you understand what type of insurance best meets your needs.
As an active WeRPN member, your insurance will cover you 24 hours a day, seven days a week, whether you’re practicing nursing as a paid employee at one or more jobs, or volunteering as a nurse. Our PLP coverage will follow you to any new role, offering a seamless transition, even if there is a gap of time between employers. And all of this comes with zero deductible.
If your employer provides coverage, it may not fully protect you and your practice. WeRPN’s PLP insurance provides additional coverage, such as legal expense coverage, and benefits that are most likely not provided by your employer’s policy. Additionally, if you are terminated, change jobs, or work multiple jobs, there is no guarantee that your employer’s policy will cover you.
If you do not renew your membership, you will have a gap in coverage from when your membership lapsed to the date of your renewing. To avoid an incident which may not be covered, it is important to not let your membership lapse. Any incidents/claims occurring prior to your gap in coverage will be not be covered. Renewing your membership before it expires each year ensures that it doesn’t lapse, causing you to have a gap in coverage. WeRPN offers monthly payment options and automatic renewal options as an easy, affordable way to ensure you maintain coverage. For more information about non-renewal and lapses in membership, click here.
Yes. Any nurse registered to work in Ontario needs professional liability insurance coverage, even if on maternity leave or short-term or long-term disability. In addition, it is important to ensure your membership does not lapse. If your membership lapses, your insurance is cancelled and you will have a gap in coverage. For more information see: “What happens if I don’t renew my WeRPN membership or if my membership lapses” on this page.
Yes. Any nurse registered to work in Ontario needs professional liability insurance coverage, even if they are not currently employed. As part of our commitment to advancing the profession, WeRPN is pleased to offer a significantly discounted rate to new graduates. Please visit our membership application page and select New Graduate Membership for more details.
An extension of coverage will apply with respect to any claim made against you for a period of 36 months from the date of retirement/death/disability or cessation of practice, but only with respect to any insured services performed or omitted (or alleged to have been performed or omitted) by the nurse prior to his/her retirement/death/disability.
No. Both parts of the insurance are automatically included with your regular WeRPN membership fee.
A nurse who purchases PLP insurance directly from an insurance provider can expect to pay between $1,000 and $4,000 per year. Because of our special group policy, WeRPN offers PLP insurance at a significantly lower rate with your regular WeRPN membership fee.
A Registered Practical Nurse will be reimbursed up to a maximum of $500 per day for expenses.
You are covered for the following, subject to terms and conditions of the policy: subpoenaed to appear before a legally constituted tribunal in Ontario; subpoenaed to appear as a witness in matters arising out of the Regulated Health Professional Act (1991) and any amending or superseding legislation; subpoenaed to appear as a witness in an incident relating to his/her profession of nursing; received a letter of complaint from the College of Nurses of Ontario as a result of a complaint, laid under Regulated Health Professions Act (1991) and any amending or superseding Legislation.
You receive Legal Expense Extension and access to competent and confidential legal advice as well as Criminal Defense Expense Reimbursement Extension (if you are proven innocent). Both of these coverages are not required by the CNO by-law and are often not included in other insurance plans. You are also covered if you need to respond to an allegation of professional misconduct to the College of Nurses about your practice, which is the most frequently access coverage by WeRPN members, often not covered by other policies. Whether it is a letter of response or support related to a pre-hearing or hearing, you will have legal counsel to support you.