Insurance for Independent Caregivers
Affordable, comprehensive insurance coverage for self-employed caregivers, independent contractors, and solo home care professionals working independently or for multiple agencies.
- Affordable coverage designed specifically for independent caregivers
- Protects you whether working as contractor or providing private care
- Coverage available even for part-time caregivers
Understanding Independent Caregivers
Independent caregivers are self-employed home care professionals who work as independent contractors for agencies, provide private care directly to clients, or operate small solo care businesses. You may be a certified nursing assistant (CNA), home health aide (HHA), personal care aide (PCA), or experienced caregiver without formal certification.
Unlike agency employees, you’re responsible for your own insurance, taxes, and business operations. You may work for multiple agencies simultaneously, take on private clients through referrals or care.com-type platforms, or operate entirely independently. You provide the same valuable services as agency caregivers but have the flexibility and independence of self-employment.
- Personal care assistance (bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting)
- Companion care and socialization
- Meal preparation and light housekeeping
- Medication reminders
- Transportation and errands
- Respite care
- Live-in care
- Specialized care (dementia, Alzheimer’s, post-surgical recovery)
- 24-hour care
Essential Insurance Coverage for Independent Caregivers
Professional Liability Insurance (Essential)
What It Covers: Negligence allegations, medication reminder errors, allegations of inadequate care, improper assistance leading to falls, failure to follow care plans, errors in judgment
Why You Need It: Many agencies require contractors to carry their own professional liability. Protects you from care-related claims. Essential if you provide private care directly
Typical Cost: $800-$2,000 annually for $1M/$3M coverage
General Liability Insurance (Essential)
What It Covers: Client falls and injuries, property damage in client homes, accidents during care, injuries to family members or visitors, damage to client belongings
Why You Need It: Required by most agencies for contractors. Covers bodily injury and property damage. Protects your personal assets from lawsuits
Typical Cost: $500-$1,500 annually for $1M/$2M coverage
Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) (Recommended)
What It Covers: Combines general liability and business property coverage. Also includes business interruption coverage if you can’t work due to covered events
Why You Need It: More comprehensive than general liability alone. Often cheaper than buying coverages separately. Designed for small businesses and solopreneurs
Typical Cost: $800-$2,000 annually
Commercial Auto or Hired/Non-Owned Auto
What It Covers: Liability for accidents while driving for work. Covers you whether using your personal vehicle for business or renting vehicles
Why You Need It: Your personal auto insurance likely excludes business use. You’re exposed to liability driving between clients or transporting clients
Typical Cost: $600-$1,500 annually for hired/non-owned coverage
Workers Compensation (If You Have Employees)
What It Covers: Injuries to any employees you hire (backup caregivers, administrative help). Covers medical expenses and lost wages
Why You Need It: Required by law in most states if you hire even one employee. Protects you from employee injury lawsuits
Typical Cost: $8-$12 per $100 of employee payroll
Disability Insurance (Highly Recommended)
What It Covers: Replaces your income if you’re injured or sick and can’t work. Pays monthly benefits typically 60-70% of your income
Why You Need It: As self-employed, you have no sick pay or disability benefits. One injury could eliminate your income. Essential financial protection
Typical Cost: $50-$150 monthly depending on age, income, and coverage amount
Why Independent Caregivers Need Insurance
Client Falls and Injuries
You assist vulnerable clients with mobility, transfers, bathing, and daily activities. Even with proper technique, falls and injuries happen. Unlike agency caregivers who have agency insurance backing them, you’re personally liable when clients are injured during your care. Without insurance, you could lose everything you own.
Real Scenario: Independent caregiver helping 78-year-old client from wheelchair to toilet. Client lost balance and fell, breaking hip. Family sued caregiver personally for $225,000. Without insurance, caregiver faced personal bankruptcy. With general liability insurance, claim was fully covered.
Allegations of Negligent Care
As an independent professional, you’re held to the same care standards as agency caregivers. If a client or family alleges you provided inadequate care, failed to follow instructions, didn’t recognize important symptoms, or made poor care decisions, you face professional negligence claims. Defense costs alone can exceed $75,000.
Real Scenario: Independent caregiver providing dementia care noticed client seemed more confused than usual but didn’t notify family immediately. Client fell during the night. Family claimed caregiver should have recognized delirium and alerted them. Professional liability insurance provided legal defense and settled claim for $85,000.
Auto Accidents While Working
You drive constantly between clients or transport clients to appointments. Your personal auto insurance likely excludes business use and won’t cover accidents during work. If you cause an accident while driving for work, you’re personally liable for all damages with no insurance protection.
Real Scenario: Independent caregiver driving to client home rear-ended vehicle at stoplight, injuring two people. Her personal auto insurance denied claim due to business use exclusion. Damages totaled $180,000. Without hired and non-owned auto insurance, she would have been personally liable. With coverage, insurance paid the full claim.
Property Damage Claims
Working in clients’ homes, you could accidentally damage expensive belongings, break valuable items, cause water damage, or damage the home itself. Even minor property damage claims can cost thousands. Major claims could devastate you financially.
Real Scenario: Independent caregiver preparing meal in client’s kitchen. Left burner on by accident, causing small fire that damaged kitchen cabinets and required repairs costing $15,000. General liability insurance covered all repair costs and caregiver’s legal defense.
What Does Independent Caregiver Insurance Cost?
Insurance costs vary based on your services, income, experience, and whether you’re part-time or full-time. Here are typical package examples:
Part-Time Caregiver
- Profile: Working 15-25 hours/week, $20K-$35K annual income, contractor for 1-2 agencies, no private clients
- Coverage: $1M/$3M professional liability, $1M/$2M general liability, $1M hired/non-owned auto
- Typical Annual Cost: $1,500-$2,500
Full-Time Independent Contractor
- Profile: Working 35+ hours/week, $40K-$60K annual income, contractor for multiple agencies, occasional private clients
- Coverage: $1M/$3M professional liability, $1M/$2M general liability, $1M hired/non-owned auto, disability insurance
- Typical Annual Cost: $2,500-$4,000
Solo Business Owner
- Profile: Exclusively private clients, $60K+ annual income, registered business, 1-2 backup caregivers
- Coverage: $1M/$3M professional liability, BOP (business owner’s policy), workers comp, $1M hired/non-owned auto, disability insurance
- Typical Annual Cost: $4,000-$6,500
These are estimates. Actual costs depend on specific factors.
Independent Caregiver Insurance Specialists
We Understand Independent Caregivers
We specialize in insurance for independent caregivers and understand the unique needs of self-employed care professionals. We know what agencies require from contractors, what coverage private-pay clients expect, and how to protect your personal assets while keeping premiums affordable.
Affordable Coverage Designed for You
We work with carriers that offer individual professional liability and general liability policies specifically designed for independent caregivers. These policies are more affordable than agency packages because they’re tailored to solo professionals. We find you the best combination of coverage and price.
Fast, Simple Application Process
We make getting insured easy. Most applications take 15-20 minutes. You can often get coverage bound within 48-72 hours. We handle all paperwork and provide certificates of insurance for agencies requiring proof of coverage.
Flexible Coverage Options
Whether you work part-time or full-time, as a contractor or running your own business, we have coverage options that fit your situation and budget. We can adjust coverage limits to match agency requirements or your personal risk tolerance.
Year-Round Support
We provide unlimited certificate requests for agencies, help with coverage questions, assist with claims if they arise, and review your coverage annually as your business grows. You’re not just a policy number – you’re a valued client.
Independent Caregiver Insurance Questions
Yes. Most reputable agencies now require independent contractors to carry their own professional liability and general liability insurance. Even if not required, you need insurance to protect your personal assets. Agency insurance doesn’t cover independent contractors – you’re personally liable for claims arising from your care.
Most agencies require contractors to carry minimum $1M per occurrence professional liability and $1M per occurrence general liability. We recommend $1M/$3M professional liability and $1M/$2M general liability as standard. This meets most agency requirements and provides solid protection.
Yes. Insurance is available for part-time caregivers. Some carriers have minimum premium requirements but most will insure caregivers working as few as 10-15 hours per week. Premiums for part-time caregivers are lower than full-time since exposure is less.
You absolutely need insurance if providing private care. You’re fully exposed to liability with no agency backing you. Professional liability and general liability are essential. Many private-pay clients also expect caregivers to be insured and will request certificates of insurance.
Almost never. Personal auto policies typically exclude business use. If you drive between clients, transport clients, or use your vehicle for any work-related purpose, you need hired and non-owned auto insurance. Without it, you have zero coverage for work-related accidents.
Most applications are approved within 48-72 hours once we have your complete information. If you need coverage urgently for an agency requirement, let us know and we can often arrange same-day or next-day coverage binding. We’ll provide certificates of insurance immediately upon binding.
Get Your Independent Caregiver Insurance Quote Today
Getting insured is fast and easy. We’ll ask a few simple questions about your work, provide quotes from carriers specializing in independent caregiver coverage, and can have you covered within 48 hours.
What You Need to Get Started:
- Your name and contact information
- Services you provide
- Approximate annual income from caregiving
- Whether you’re part-time or full-time
- What agencies you work for (if applicable)
- Any required coverage limits from agencies
Complete our quick form and receive your customized quote within 48 hours.
Speak with an independent caregiver insurance expert who can answer questions and get you covered fast
Insurance Solutions:
- Professional Liability Insurance
- General Liability Insurance
- Business Owner’s Policies
- Hired & Non-Owned Auto Insurance
- Workers Compensation Insurance
- Disability Insurance
As an independent caregiver, protecting yourself with proper insurance coverage allows you to focus on what matters most—providing excellent care to your clients. Whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience, having the right insurance gives you professional credibility and financial protection. For resources and support for independent caregivers, visit the National Alliance for Caregiving.
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