Tank Insurance
Call 02 9000 1155
Acupuncture treatment representing professional indemnity insurance needs for Chinese medicine practitioners

Acupuncturist Professional Indemnity Insurance

Professional Indemnity cover for acupuncturists and Chinese medicine practitioners across Australia. Protection when your treatments, herbal prescriptions, or clinical advice lead to claims.

AHPRA

Registration Ready

All Modalities

Covered

Same Day

Quotes

Recognition

Industry Awards

Every needle, every herb, every clinical decision carries professional risk.

Acupuncture involves invasive procedures. Chinese herbal medicine involves pharmacologically active substances. Both require professional competence and carry liability exposure that demands appropriate insurance.

Get a Quote Call 02 9000 1155

AHPRA Registration Requirement

The Chinese Medicine Board of Australia requires all registered acupuncturists to maintain appropriate PI insurance as a condition of registration. Your policy must cover all aspects of your clinical practice at all times.

Common Industry Claims

  • Pneumothorax from needling thoracic points at unsafe depth
  • Herb-drug interactions causing adverse bleeding or clotting events
  • Delayed cancer diagnosis when symptoms treated with acupuncture alone
  • Infection from inadequate sterile technique or needle disposal

Adequate limits and the right policy wording for your specific modalities are both essential.

WHY TANK INSURANCE

PI Insurance for Acupuncturists & Chinese Medicine Practitioners

We can arrange PI cover for acupuncturists and Chinese medicine practitioners across Australia. Each policy is structured to meet AHPRA registration requirements and cover the specific modalities you practise.

Holistic treatment session representing acupuncturist professional indemnity insurance

01

AHPRA Registration Requirements

We check your policy against Chinese Medicine Board of Australia registration standards, ensuring your cover meets the conditions for all your practised modalities.

02

Full Modality Coverage

Acupuncture, Chinese herbs, cupping, moxibustion, tui na. Your policy should explicitly cover every technique you use in clinical practice. We ensure nothing is missed.

03

Competitive Premiums

We compare multiple insurers who cover Chinese medicine practitioners to find competitive rates that meet your registration requirements.

04

Claims Support

If a claim arises, we support you through the process from notification to resolution, including AHPRA and Chinese Medicine Board matters.

RISK ASSESSMENT

Key Professional Risks for Acupuncturists

These are the exposures that make proper PI coverage essential for every acupuncture and Chinese medicine practice.

Pneumothorax from needling thoracic acupuncture points
Infection from inadequate sterile technique or needle disposal
Broken or retained needles causing nerve or tissue damage
Chinese herb-drug interactions affecting patient medications
Allergic reactions to herbal prescriptions or needle materials
Delayed referral when symptoms require medical investigation
Burns or injury from moxibustion or cupping treatments
Incorrect diagnosis within Chinese medicine framework

Understanding your risk profile is the first step to appropriate cover. Your modalities, patient volume, and clinical scope all factor into the right policy structure.

Get a Quote

POLICY SCOPE

What Acupuncturist PI Insurance Covers

A comprehensive Professional Indemnity policy for acupuncturists typically includes these protections.

Treatment session representing acupuncturist professional indemnity coverage
Treatment session representing acupuncturist professional indemnity coverage

Usually Covered

✓ Negligent treatment or errors in clinical practice
✓ Legal defence costs for covered claims
✓ Adverse reactions from acupuncture or herbal prescriptions
✓ AHPRA notification and investigation defence
✓ Chinese Medicine Board disciplinary matters
✓ Product liability for Chinese herbs dispensed
✓ Good Samaritan cover for emergency situations
✓ Continuous cover for prior acts (back to your retroactive date)

Not Typically Covered

✕ Fraud, intentional harm, or criminal acts
✕ Claims arising from work before your retroactive date
✕ Work outside your registered scope of practice
✕ Prior known claims or circumstances
✕ Fines and penalties imposed on you personally
✕ Practising without current AHPRA registration
✕ Bodily injury unrelated to treatment (Public Liability required)

Every acupuncture practice is different. Our <a href='/our-process/' class='text-emerald-600 underline font-medium'>broking process</a> considers your specific modalities, patient profile, and clinical scope to determine the right level and type of coverage.

Get Quote
Real-world claims that acupuncturists face. These examples show why appropriate PI cover matters.

CLAIM SCENARIOS

Real-world claims that acupuncturists face. These examples show why appropriate PI cover matters.

A pneumothorax claim arises when a patient develops a collapsed lung after needling thoracic points. The patient alleges unsafe needle depth for their body type. Defence costs alone can exceed $50,000.

A herb interaction claim occurs when a prescribed Chinese herbal formula interacts with a patient's warfarin, causing a bleeding event. The patient alleges the practitioner should have identified the interaction risk.

01

Pneumothorax Claims

Needling thoracic points carries inherent risk. If a patient develops pneumothorax, they may allege unsafe technique regardless of your clinical competence.

02

Herb-Drug Interactions

Chinese herbs are pharmacologically active. A patient on prescribed medications who experiences an adverse interaction may claim you failed to screen properly.

03

Delayed Diagnosis

A patient treated with acupuncture over months is later diagnosed with cancer. They allege you should have recommended medical investigation earlier.

04

Treatment Injuries

Burns from moxibustion, excessive cupping marks, or broken needles. Any adverse outcome from treatment can lead to a professional negligence claim.

Good clinical practice is your best protection. These habits reduce claims and strengthen your position if one arises.

RISK MANAGEMENT

Good clinical practice is your best protection. These habits reduce claims and strengthen your position if one arises.

Insurers look favourably on practitioners with strong clinical governance. Demonstrating safe practice, thorough documentation, and ongoing professional development can help secure better terms and lower premiums.

01

Safe Needling Protocols

Appropriate needle depth and technique for each patient's anatomy. Document your needling approach, especially for higher-risk thoracic and cervical points.

02

Medication Screening

Check all current medications before prescribing Chinese herbs. Document your screening process and any contraindications identified.

03

Thorough Documentation

Clear records of every treatment, herbal prescription, informed consent, and clinical reasoning. Good notes are your best defence in a claim.

04

Timely Medical Referral

Refer patients for medical investigation when presentations are concerning. Document your referral recommendations and the patient's response.

QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. The Chinese Medicine Board of Australia requires all registered acupuncturists and Chinese medicine practitioners to hold appropriate PI insurance as a condition of AHPRA registration. Your policy must cover all aspects of your clinical practice, including acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and any other modalities you perform.
PI insurance covers claims arising from your professional services, including negligent treatment, errors in herbal prescriptions, adverse reactions, and failure to refer. It covers legal defence costs, compensation payable to patients, AHPRA notification defence, and Chinese Medicine Board matters. It does not cover fraud, intentional harm, or work outside your registered scope.
The minimum is typically $1 million to $2 million in aggregate cover, though the right level depends on your practice scope, patient volume, and the modalities you offer. Practitioners who prescribe Chinese herbal medicine or treat complex conditions may require higher limits. We assess your specific risk profile to recommend appropriate cover.
It depends on your policy wording. If you prescribe or dispense Chinese herbs, your policy must explicitly cover this activity, including product liability for herbs you supply. We ensure your cover extends to all modalities you practise, including acupuncture, Chinese herbs, cupping, moxibustion, and other techniques.
Professional Indemnity covers claims arising from your clinical advice and treatments, such as a patient alleging your needling technique caused pneumothorax. Public Liability covers physical injury or property damage unrelated to treatment, such as a patient slipping in your clinic. Most acupuncturists need both.
You'll need run-off cover to protect against claims from treatments delivered while you were practising. Claims can arise years after treatment. We can arrange run-off cover that maintains continuity of protection, typically at a lower premium than an active practice policy.
Possibly. Some clinic group policies cover employed practitioners, but you should verify this in writing. If you're a sole trader or contractor working within a clinic, you'll likely need your own policy. We review your arrangement to confirm whether you're covered or need separate insurance.
Most acupuncturist PI policies cover cupping and moxibustion, but only if they're listed in your policy wording. These modalities carry specific risks, burns from moxibustion, tissue damage from cupping, so it's important your insurer explicitly acknowledges them. We check this as standard.

Professional Indemnity for Acupuncturists

Whether you practise acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, or both, our experienced brokers can arrange PI cover that meets your AHPRA registration requirements and protects your practice.

Call 02 9000 1155 Request a Quote →
Call Us Now +61 2 9000 1155