Maximise your membership

Professional indemnity insurance remains a cornerstone benefit for members of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT), the UK body representing occupational therapists. It provides up to £10 million in coverage for claims involving medical, healthcare, treatment indemnity, professional indemnity, and public/products liability, protecting members in clinical and non-clinical roles.

On 1 April 2025, RCOT changed its insurance provider to Altea for the 2025/26 membership year, which runs from 1 October 2025. This switch introduced modifications to policy conditions, exclusions, and scope—particularly for members in Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, and Ireland—including how coverage applies to employed, self-employed, voluntary, or international work.

The timing matters because UK occupational therapists regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) must maintain adequate professional indemnity insurance to retain registration and mitigate risks from potential claims in an increasingly litigious health and social care environment. Recent HCPC changes, such as reinstating the 12-month updating period for return-to-practice applications effective 1 February 2025, add further emphasis on compliance. With workforce shortages and expanding occupational therapy roles in primary care, NHS integration, and social services, ensuring membership benefits—including updated insurance—directly support safe practice and career continuity.

RCOT's ongoing work, including consultations on revised Professional Standards (with final version anticipated in 2026), underscores the need for therapists to stay informed about membership value amid regulatory evolution.