CMTBC reminds registrants that all Practising RMTs are required to hold valid professional liability insurance. As specified in section 61(1) of the CMTBC Bylaws, all Practising registrants must obtain and maintain professional liability insurance coverage of at least $2,000,000 per claim or per occurrence.

Types of professional liability insurance

There are two types of professional liability insurance available to RMTs: claims-based and occurrence-based. It is important that RMTs understand the difference between the two, and which of the two types of insurance they hold.

Under a “claims-based” insurance policy – the most common type – the RMT will only have insurance coverage if there is a valid insurance policy in place when the claim is made, even if, for example, the treatment happened a year or more ago. This means that if an RMT with claims-based insurance has allowed their insurance to lapse because they are not currently providing treatment, and is sued by a former patient, the RMT will have no coverage (unless they have purchased a form of continuing coverage sometimes referred to as “tail insurance”). This lack of coverage may also create a severe negative impact for former patients who pursue a civil claim, as they may be unable to recover compensation or damages for injury caused by an RMT.

Under an “occurrence-based” insurance policy, coverage is not based on when the claim is made, but rather on when the event that gave rise to the claim took place. If an RMT held a valid occurrence-based policy when treating a patient who subsequently sues the RMT, coverage would not be denied solely on the basis that the policy has subsequently lapsed.

For more explanation of the difference between claims-based and occurrence-based insurance, see the Professional Liability Insurance page. 

Do Non-practising RMTs needs to maintain professional liability insurance?

If you decide to convert from Practising to Non-practising status, and you did not hold occurrence-based coverage while Practising, as outlined in section 61(2) of the CMTBC Bylaws, you will need to purchase and maintain professional liability insurance coverage for a period of at least five years to protect you against claims that may be made against you after you go Non-practising.

Uploading proof of professional liability insurance to the Registrant Portal

RMTs must upload proof of valid professional liability insurance on initial registration with CMTBC, and annually thereafter, in the Registrant Portal. The proof must be in the form of a professional liability insurance certificate, a one or two-page document that includes the following information:

• Confirmation that the policy is, or includes professional liability coverage
• The amount per claim or occurrence
• The dates the policy is valid.

If you do not have a document that includes this information, you should contact your insurance provider.

To upload your liability insurance certificate in the Registrant Portal, log in and click the professional liability insurance link in the left-hand menu on the dashboard, click the “Add” button to create a new entry, and fill in the required fields.

Consequences if professional liability insurance lapses

Allowing professional liability insurance to lapse is a serious issue. The requirement to be insured protects the RMT in the event a claim is made that results in liability. It also protects the public, as it preserves their ability to seek financial redress for any harm that may occur in treatment. Practicing RMTs who have allowed their liability insurance to lapse may be investigated by CMTBC’s Inquiry Committee.