Malpractice Insurance
Frequently Asked Questions
Making Policy Changes
Save time — renew online! Individuals may renew online up to 120 days prior to your policy expiration date.
Printed renewal notices are automatically mailed out to all customers at least 60 days prior to the date your policy expires. These notices are mailed to the address on file. If your mailing address changes, it is your responsibility to notify us in writing of your new mailing address. CPH Insurance is not responsible for renewal notices that are returned to our office as a result of incorrect mailing addresses.
Your policy will expire on the expiration date if the completed application and full valid payment have not been received by our office as of that date. Any “grace period” beyond the expiration date that is extended to an Insured for processing of the renewal application is done so as a courtesy and on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the underwriter. Any such “grace period” shall not extend beyond 30 days after the policy expiration date, and should you fail to complete the renewal process by the end of the “grace period,” the policy will expire on the previously designated policy expiration date. “Grace period” eligibility will be determined upon review of your completed renewal application by an underwriter. Any representations made to you by a customer service representative regarding potential eligibility for a “grace period” will not bind CPH Insurance to any obligation to award such a “grace period” if upon review of your file we determine you are ineligible.
NOTE: If circumstances require that you answer “yes” to any of the qualification questions on the renewal application, you will not be eligible for such a grace period, and the policy will expire on the designated expiration date if the application process has not been completed as of that date.
No, in most cases you do not need to fill out a new application or take out a new policy. Usually, you can change your policy to fit your needs. If you fill out a new application instead of upgrading, you may actually overpay for your policy or end up with duplicate coverage. Instead, send us a request in writing to change your policy (see the next question for more detailed information).
For a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to make policy changes online, click here!
If you have become licensed during the current policy year and are upgrading your coverage, you will not receive the newly-licensed discount at the time of the upgrade. You will be able to take the 50% discount off of the full premium (as opposed to a discount off of the lower, pro-rated premium) when you renew your policy for the next year. In the end, this will be a bigger discount because you will then be eligible the next year for a 25% discount off of the full premium.
For a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to make policy changes online, click here!
Yes, you can change your address online by logging into your account in the customer portal.
Log into your customer portal account to make changes, additions, and upgrades to your policy:
- Click the My Account button above to log into your CPH customer portal account
- Once in the portal, go to Make Changes to update your contact information and make changes (or additions) to your existing policy
*Please note is it your responsibility to notify CPH of any changes to your name or contact information.
Please remember that your coverage is portable, so the address we keep on file is a mailing address only. You do not need to inform us each time you change the location of your practice unless you would like your mailing address to change as well.
If you do make a change to your mailing address, we will send you an endorsement within the next week that amends the policy. Endorsements are not created for phone or email changes.
For a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to make policy changes online, click here!
Any premium adjustments will be pro-rated and the customer will either be refunded the leftover premium or billed for additional premium owed. If payment is due, payment must be received first before any endorsements will be issued.
All required information and payment must be received in our office within 30 days from the date of your request or the change will be deleted from the policy. Changes to the policy are usually processed within 5-7 business days. Documents outlining changes made to the policy are automatically emailed to the insured immediately upon completion.
Log into your customer portal account to make changes, additions, and upgrades to your policy:
- Click the My Account button above to log into your CPH customer portal account
- Once in the portal, go to Make Changes to update your contact information and make changes (or additions) to your existing policy
*Please note is it your responsibility to notify CPH of any changes to your name or contact information.
Requests to change the policy cannot be backdated but may be requested up to 75 days in advance.
*Third parties cannot make changes to a policy. All requests must be submitted or otherwise formally authorized (in writing) by the Insured.
For a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to make policy changes online, click here!
Generally speaking, while you are practicing it is recommended that you always maintain continuous coverage. If you allow your policy to lapse, you will have to reapply for a new policy. If you have had 2 or more lapsed or canceled policies with CPH Insurance, you are ineligible for another policy with our company.
If you must allow your policy to lapse because you will not be practicing for an indefinite time period (e.g. due maternity leave, a break between completion of your professional degree and receipt of your license, a break between the end of your student practicum and provisional licensure or intern registration, or to begin retirement), please notify us in writing prior to your policy expiration date so that we may mark your record and prevent lapse notices from being sent to you. If you choose to reapply at a later date, having pro-actively notified us of your impending lapse may allow us to make an exception to the 2-lapse rule (subject to underwriter approval).
If you have canceled or allowed a policy to lapse and did not secure another policy to begin effective the date your previous policy lapsed or was canceled, there is a “gap” or period of time between the prior and subsequent policies where you are uninsured. This means, if a claim arises out of a Professional Incident or therapy occurring during this “gap,” the insurance company will not be obligated to pay the claim on your behalf.
Other disadvantages to having coverage gaps:
- Insurance companies (including CPH Insurance) may decline to write a new policy on your behalf due to the gaps in your coverage.
- If a claim arises out of therapy that was conducted over a period of time during which there was a gap between policies, any assistance from any involved insurance company could become delayed or declined altogether due to the existence of a gap