FAQs

  • Who is BMS

    BMS is the official and exclusive broker for the Physiotherapy New Zealand Inc (PNZ) member insurance program.

    BMS is part of the wider BMS group which is dedicated to providing coverage and value-added services to associations and their members. BMS group includes Lloyd’s broker BMS Group Ltd. 

    The BMS group provides cover to healthcare and regulated professionals through associations across Australia, Canada, Europe and New Zealand. This experience gives BMS a unique insight and ability to create and deliver significantly enhanced and continuously evolving member centric insurance programs. This includes ensuring broad, market-leading coverage, evidence-based risk management and exceptional member service.

    To find out more visit https://www.bmsgroup.com/solutions/insurance/affinity  

    If you have any questions about the insurance program or the Physiotherapy New Zealand Professional Indemnity Policy, contact BMS at 0800 999 267 or email pnz@bmsgroup.com.  

  • Why has Physiotherapy New Zealand chosen BMS as their Insurance Partner?

    Ensuring PNZ members have access to comprehensive coverage, additional, evidence-based risk management material and exceptional service for insurance queries and claims is paramount. BMS is a specialist broker dedicated to servicing associations and its members and will continue to enhance the PNZ Insurance Program.

  • What do I do if I have an open claim with my previous insurer?

    If you have a current claim with your previous insurance company, you will need to continue dealing directly with them. Any new claims or notifications under the new insurance program can be directed to BMS on 0800 999 267.

  • What is Professional Indemnity Insurance

    Professional Indemnity Insurance protects you against allegations or claims of financial loss due to injury or damages that have resulted from a negligent act, error, omission, malpractice or breach of duty that has arisen out of your professional capacity as a Physiotherapist.

  • What are the major benefits of the Physiotherapy New Zealand Member Insurance Policy
    • $1,000,000 Limit of indemnity per claim for Professional Indemnity ($2,000,000 per member in the aggregate inclusive of all costs and expenses)
    • No Excess
    • Retroactive cover for past activities
    • Run-off cover when you permanently cease working or retire
  • Can I opt out if I don’t want the insurance in my membership?

    You can opt out of the Physiotherapy New Zealand Insurance program during the application or renewal process. While it’s not compulsory to take up the Physiotherapy New Zealand Professional Indemnity Policy, all Physiotherapists must have adequate Professional Indemnity Insurance to be registered.

  • How do I know if I am covered?

    Your PNZ membership may include Professional Indemnity Insurance at each year’s renewal. To confirm whether your Membership category includes insurance, please contact PNZ on +64 4 801 6500 or email pnz@physiotherapy.org.nz

    An invoice and Certificate of Currency is issued to every eligible member once they’ve renewed each year.

  • Who do I call if I have any insurance-related questions or to discuss my insurance policy?

    You can contact BMS’ team of Brokers on 0800 999 267 or by email at pnz@bmsgroup.com.

  • Am I covered if I treat family members?

    No. There is no cover for when you are providing your services to family members.

  • What happens if I have a leave of absence during the year?

    The PNZ Member Insurance Policy is a claims made policy. This means the policy only provides cover for any prior acts as long as you have an active policy at the time of a claim. Therefore, it's important to ensure you have a policy in place should you take a leave of absence (leave where you’ll likely return to work at some stage). This will ensure you’re covered should a claim arise during this time.

  • Does this policy cover me when I retire?

    Yes. The PNZ Professional Indemnity Policy provides run-off cover, which means you are covered when you retire. To activate this, you must apply for run-off cover by contacting BMS.

  • Is the Physiotherapy New Zealand Member Insurance Policy compliant with the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand?

    Yes. The Physiotherapy New Zealand Insurance Policy complies with and exceeds all requirements set by the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand.

  • Will this policy cover my past activities?

    Yes. The Physiotherapy New Zealand Professional Indemnity Insurance Policy provides retroactive cover, provided that there are no known and unreported circumstances that may lead to a claim.

  • Should I consider this cover if I work in the Public Health sector?

    As a Public Health Sector worker, without your own insurance policy you are relying on your employer’s insurance, which may be geared more towards protecting your employer. Further, Public Hospitals or Health Centres typically carry policy excesses upwards of $250,000; which means that, in the event of a claim against you, they may decline to cover you.

    Your employer’s policy may not cover you for:

    • Your services with previous employers.
    • Your private practice work.
    • Your past services rendered.
    • Your services provided as a contractor, sub-contractor or consultant.
    • If you are sued by your employer
    • Legal support for regulatory inquiries, disciplinary hearings and coronial enquiries.

    Physiotherapy New Zealand members who participate in the Insurance Program also have peace of mind that they have an individual $1,000,000 limit and $2,000,000 aggregate limit covering their interests, as well as access to legal assistance with a senior lawyer for each potentially claimable issue that arises.

    Having your own individual policy ensures you are covered if you want to work while transitioning from one employer to the next.

  • What do I do if I have a claim or complaint made against me?

    Members should

    • Formally document the incident, including details of those involved
    • Submit any formal statement to BMS
    • Report any regulatory investigations or notice of complaint within 30 days
    • Gather any noted and supporting documentation

    Members should not

    • Speak with any third parties about the claim
    • Assume any legal fees before reporting a claim
    • Offer compensation to independently settle a claim
    • Amend or change ant previous medical records once a statement of claim has been received

    If you are aware of a potential claim you should contact BMS directly at 0800 999 267 or pnz@bmsgroup.com.

  • Am I covered in respect to Boundary Violations?

    No. There is no cover in respect to Boundary Violations.

  • What other insurance products can I purchase?

    Public and Products Liability insurance

    Public liability insurance covers your legal liability in respect to property damage and non-treatment related injuries. This could include scenarios where a patient slips and falls while under your supervision.

    Products liability insurance covers you for actual or alleged bodily injury or property damage to a third party arising through use of a product sold, supplied, or manufactured by yourself.

    With BMS, you can hold a combined Professional Indemnity and Public & Products Liability Policy.

    Alternatively, you can add Public & Products Liability to your existing Professional Indemnity insurance policy with BMS at any time.

    Entity Insurance

    If your business is named in a legal action, these costs aren’t covered by your standard BMS professional indemnity insurance policy. This could leave you out of pocket. This is where Entity Insurance can step in.

    Entity insurance is Professional Indemnity and Public & Products Liability insurance for your business.

  • How do I purchase additional insurance products?

    Contact BMS for a quote on 0800 999 267 or via email, pnz@bmsgroup.com