Professional Indemnity Insurance is designed to provide protection against claims arising from the professional services you provide. 

When you work in private practice, you take responsibility for your professional decisions, your services and the people you support. Professional Indemnity Insurance provides an added layer of protection should a complaint, allegation or claim arise from your professional work. 

SAASWIPP facilitates access to Professional Indemnity / Malpractice Insurance for paid-up SAASWIPP members through an insurance facility arranged by Aon South Africa (Pty) Ltd, underwritten by iTOO Special Risks (Pty) Ltd in association with Hollard Insurance Company. 

The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute insurance, financial, legal or professional advice. It is a summary of certain aspects of the insurance arrangement and does not replace the formal policy wording, schedule or endorsements. The formal policy documentation will prevail in determining the scope and application of cover. 

What is Professional Indemnity Insurance? 

Professional Indemnity Insurance is designed to provide protection in relation to certain claims arising from the professional services you provide. 

In private practice, a complaint or allegation can arise even when you have acted professionally and with the best intentions. Responding to a complaint or claim may involve legal representation, defence costs and, depending on the circumstances, damages or settlements. 

Professional Indemnity Insurance provides a framework of protection for certain insured professional risks, so that if a covered matter does arise, you have access to the support provided for under the policy. 

Whether a particular claim, complaint, cost or circumstance is covered is determined by the insurer in accordance with the policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limits. 

The SAASWIPP arrangement also includes certain extensions, including Council Hearings, Criminal Defence Costs, Defamation, Breach of Confidentiality and Public Liability, subject to the formal policy wording. 

Why do I need indemnity insurance for my private practice? 

Private practice comes with independence, but it also comes with professional responsibility. 

As a social worker, you work closely with people, families and often complex or sensitive situations. Even with careful professional practice, a client or another party may raise a complaint or allegation about the services they received. 

A complaint does not necessarily mean that you have done something wrong. It can, however, require time, professional assistance and potentially legal representation to address. 

Professional Indemnity Insurance is designed to provide financial and legal protection against certain insured professional risks, subject to the terms of the policy. For many practitioners, understanding that this type of protection is available can be an important part of managing the professional risks that come with running a private practice. 

The suitability of Professional Indemnity Insurance for an individual practitioner or practice depends on their own circumstances. SAASWIPP does not provide advice regarding whether a particular member requires insurance or what level of cover is appropriate. 

Concepts Explained 

Claims-Made Cover 

The Professional Indemnity Insurance facilitated through SAASWIPP operates on a claims-made basis. 

Put simply, it is generally the policy that is active when a claim is made against you that responds to the claim – not the policy that was active when you originally did the work. 

For example, you may provide a professional service this year, but only become aware of a related complaint at a later stage. The policy in force when that claim is made is therefore particularly important. 

If your policy has lapsed or has not been renewed, there may be no active cover to respond to a new claim, subject to any applicable run-off or additional reporting provisions contained in the policy. 

Cover Period 

The insurance cycle runs from the 1st of July to the 30th of June of the following year.  

The policy is an annual policy with a common renewal date in June each year. Cover automatically ceases at the end of the applicable insurance period unless renewed. 

You can still apply or renew your cover after the renewal date, however a 10% additional retroactive cover fee may apply.  

Why Continuity of Cover Matters 

This is one of the most important concepts to understand about claims-made insurance. 

A complaint does not always happen immediately after professional services are provided. Months or even years can pass before you first become aware that someone intends to make a claim or lodge a complaint. 

Because it is generally the policy active when the claim is made that responds, a break in cover can have important implications. A claim that relates to work you performed while previously insured may only come to your attention after that cover has lapsed. 

Maintaining continuity of cover therefore helps preserve the protection provided by a claims-made policy, subject to the policy terms and any applicable run-off or additional reporting provisions. 

Retroactive Cover 

The policy provides for a retroactive date, which is recorded in the applicable annexure for paid-up members. 

Retroactive cover can allow professional work performed before the current policy period to fall within the scope of the claims-made policy where the applicable policy requirements are met. 

This can be particularly relevant when moving from one insurance period to the next, because a claim may only arise some time after the professional service in question was provided. 

For new members, inception of a retroactive date is subject to proof of continuous claims-made insurance. 

Your applicable retroactive date and how it applies to your cover are subject to your individual insurance documentation and the terms of the policy. 

How to Apply 

Professional Indemnity Insurance through the SAASWIPP arrangement is available to paid-up SAASWIPP members, subject to a 10% retroactive fee. 

Log in to your SAASWIPP member profile. 

1. Select Insurance 2026/2027. 
2. Complete the required application or renewal information. 
3. Make the applicable payment. 
4. SAASWIPP will submit your application for processing. 

Existing insured members are required to complete the applicable No Material & Claim Declaration, while new applicants are required to complete an application form. 

Applications remain subject to the applicable insurance and underwriting requirements. 

If You Become Aware of a Claim 

If something happens that you believe could potentially lead to a complaint or claim, it is important to understand the notification requirements of your policy. 

A potential claim does not necessarily mean that formal legal action has already started. It could include a client expressing dissatisfaction with your professional services, correspondence from an attorney requesting records, an allegation relating to professional conduct, or a complaint lodged with the SACSSP or another Council. 

The Aon renewal terms state that potential claims or complaints must be reported as soon as possible after you become aware of them. Failure to disclose a known potential claim or complaint may affect subsequent cover. 

Claims and complaint correspondence can be directed to our broker, Carol-Lee Tim at carol-lee.timm@aon.co.za.

If a Council complaint has been lodged against you, Aon’s documentation specifically states that a response should not be submitted to the Council before consulting with Aon, as doing so may prejudice the defence of the matter. 

The assessment of a claim, including whether it falls within the scope of cover, is determined by the insurer in accordance with the policy. 

Professional Indemnity Insurance applications for the 2026/2027 insurance period are still available to eligible, paid-up SAASWIPP members. 

Log in to your SAASWIPP profile and select “Insurance 2026/2027” to apply. 

Not a SAASWIPP member yet? Explore SAASWIPP Membership Benefits or the Joining Process to find out more about joining our professional community and accessing member benefits, including the Professional Indemnity Insurance facility.