Certain industry associations offer insurance. Many jurisdictions and landlords may require insurance. Doctors who refer patients may require the therapist to have insurance. Typically, massage\bodywork insurance follows the therapist so that if a massage is done off site, the therapist is still covered.

The main thing is to shop around. Prices vary enormously. The terms of the policies do not differ significantly. Look for an insurer that specializes in the massage industry rather than general business coverage; prices may be better. The coverage should be high enough for the medical expenses in your area. A condition of therapist licensing may dictate an amount. Make sure the policy covers not only actions of the therapist but also accidents which happen on the premises. The client is more likely to have an accident on the premises than get hurt on the table. Many accidents occur in the bathroom where the floor can be wet and slippery. Rubber mats should be used and the area should be checked frequently.

Some things may not be covered by insurance. Work with T-bars and communicable disease may be excluded.

The down side to not having insurance is that the therapist must personally pay for damages. Even the therapist’s future earnings may be garnished.

The client questionnaire is very important. If the client has a preexisting issue, the therapist has a record of it and can work around it or refer the client to a more appropriate professional. The treatment should be tailored to the client. If the client has a neck injury, care will need to be taken and possibly, depending on the extent of the damage, a referral from a medical doctor or chiropractor is in order. Massaging pregnant women requires special training; one of the dangers is that improper massage can induce labor if done in the later trimesters. The therapist might want to talk to the doctor of clients with diabetes, for example, to see if there are issues to massaging safely. The insurance provider presumes the therapist is taking proper care and is appropriately trained for the services being performed. The client is trusting that the therapist (especially one who is nationally certified) takes all the steps necessary to protect her/ his wellbeing.