The CSMLS Professional Liability Insurance (PLI) plan offers exceptional value and peace of mind. Designed specifically for laboratory professionals, this coverage protects you against the most common types of claims in the field.
For the 2025 & 2026 policy years, members can access:
- $2 Million Liability Coverage
- Only $14/year for Medical Laboratory Technologists
- Only $8/year for Medical Laboratory Assistants and MLT Students
- $5 Million Liability Coverage
- Just $28/year for Medical Laboratory Technologists
Why this coverage matters:
Over the past five years, the majority of claims made by our members have involved defense against disciplinary action by provincial regulators.
Please note: PLI premiums are not included in CSMLS membership fees. If you don’t require coverage, you can choose to opt out.
All things considered, it’s a small price for big protection—whether you’re launching your career or already well-established in the profession.
Coverage Details:
This policy is offered on a claims-made basis, meaning a claim must be reported while the policy is active. If coverage lapses, past services may no longer be covered. We strongly recommend maintaining your coverage during parental or maternity leave so you’re protected against claims related to prior work.
There are important exceptions: in cases of retirement, disability, or death, coverage remains in place indefinitely for claims arising from services provided before leaving the profession, as long as the individual had active coverage at the time.
Note: Student coverage applies only during clinical placements and the student must be under the supervision of an MLT or clinical instructor. Coverage is valid within Canada only. Associate Non-Certified members may also be eligible—please contact memserv@csmls.org for more information.
CSMLS coverage includes the following:
for more specific details please contact memserv@csmls.org
Legal Defence Coverage
The following limits apply:
- $50,000 – Legally constituted tribunal in a Canadian province
- $50,000 – Witness appearance
- $50,000 – Coroner’s Inquest
An annual per member aggregate of $200,000 for all claims per member applies. For example, if a member has three claims in the same year, one for witness appearance of $50,000 and two for coroner’s inquest at $50,000 and $20,000, the policy would pay $120,000.
Legal Defence Coverage - Disciplinary Hearings
Allegations not involving sexual abuse or misconduct
- $50,000 per member per claim
- Policy will pay costs for legal representation regardless of outcome
Allegations involving sexual abuse, misconduct or anything of a sexual nature
- $20,000 per member per claim
- Policy will pay only if the outcome is acquittal or “not guilty.” If a case ‘just goes away’, policy will not pay.
Another annual per member aggregate of $200,000 for all claims per member applies for this endorsement.
Penal Defence Reimbursement
- This coverage applies to actions brought against a member in criminal court
- $150,000 per claim and annual aggregate limit per member.
- The defence must obtain an acquittal or a return of a not guilty verdict. If a case is dropped because a plaintiff no longer wants to pursue the case or changes their mind, the policy will not pay.
Professional Liability Coverage Limits
- $2,000,000 per member per loss
- $2,000,000 per member annually per policy period
- Deductible: Nil
Absolute Sexual Abuse and Misconduct Exclusions
A new exclusion was added to the policy in 2006 to make it clear that the insurer will not defend any professional liability claims in civil court that allege abuse. It reads as follows:
“This policy shall not apply to any claim resulting directly, indirectly, in whole or in part from any actual or alleged
- sexual, physical, psychological or emotional abuse, molestation or harassment committed by, at the direction of, or with the knowledge of any person insured by this policy, or
- failure of any person insured by this policy to prevent sexual, physical, psychological or emotional abuse, molestation or harassment
New in 2017 the Insurer will reimburse the insured for legal costs, charges and expenses (excluding salaries or loss of income) incurred in defending allegations of sexual misconduct brought in Civil Court against the insured member up to a per occurrence and annual aggregate limit of $250,000 per insured member if the defence of such allegations proves to be “fully successful”. For the purpose of this clause “fully successful” means a find of no liability or a dismissal.”
Cyber Security and Privacy Liability Extension
Cyber security and privacy liability is $75,000 per claim and is defined as an actual or alleged:
- Security breach
- Privacy breach; or
- Data personal injury
- Intellectual Property Infringement
Important Conditions
- You must immediately report an incident that may result in a claim to Cowan Insurance Brokers Limited or to your association head office so that particulars of the claim may be forwarded to the Insurer for you.
- You may not take any action to defend yourself or to make any kind of settlement without agreement from the Insurer.
Loss Prevention Information
Communication
Properly identify the patient. Explain the procedure and what the patient can expect. Make sure you have understanding and agreement before you begin.
Language
Always use clinical terms for anatomical parts.
Professional Behaviour
The best defence you have will be based on your character and professionalism. When other co-workers are present, be careful how you speak to one another in front of the patient. Remember that the patient or the family may be listening. If you are involved in a claim, do not discuss it openly in the workplace because the plaintiff’s investigator may be present.
Do not allow yourself to be pressured into doing anything you are not trained to do, certified for, or that would violate the standards of practice for medical laboratory technologists.
Take time to document everything properly. A daily diary recapping unusual circumstances can be valuable if you are being accused of a negligent act.
For more information on your Professional Liability and Legal Defence Insurance call:
Sigrid Neumann Cowan Insurance Group Limited.
1-800-263-8346 ext 42250
Extended PLI Coverage
CSMLS has a process to extend Professional Liability Insurance (PLI) for CSMLS Certified Diagnostic Cytology MLTs whose original certification does not include Histotechnology competencies. Please contact pla@csmls.org to see if you are eligible for this process.
For any other inquiry about extension of PLI coverage for competencies a CSMLS certificant may not be covered for contact memserv@csmls.org.