Why Adult Day Care Facilities Need Professional Liability Insurance
- Nate Jones, CPCU, ARM, CLCS, AU
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Providing care at an adult day care facility involves much more than offering activities and supervision. Staff members assist with medications, mobility, personal care, cognitive support, and health‑related services. These responsibilities create professional liability exposure, meaning even the smallest error, or perceived error, can result in a costly lawsuit.
Professional Liability Insurance protects adult day cares when someone alleges a mistake, negligence, or improper care. It’s one of the most important insurance coverage for adult day care operators.
What Is Professional Liability Insurance for Adult Day Cares?
Professional liability insurance covers claims involving:
Negligence in care
Medication administration errors
Failure to monitor clients properly
Improper supervision
Documentation errors
Mistakes in health‑related support tasks
Insurance resources specifically note that adult day care centers face liability risks related to misdiagnosis, medication errors, and other care‑related mistakes, making professional liability essential protection for these facilities.
Why Adult Day Care Facilities Face High Liability Risk
Adult day cares care for vulnerable populations, including seniors, adults with disabilities, and individuals with cognitive impairments. Their complex needs significantly increase professional liability exposures.
Common triggers for claims include:
Even simple mistakes such as giving the wrong dose, administering medication late, or documenting incorrectly can lead to claims. Insurance sources confirm medication mismanagement is a primary cause of professional liability lawsuits in adult care settings.
Participants may wander, fall, or injure themselves during activities if supervision lapses. Claims related to improper monitoring fall under professional liability.
3. Negligence in Care Plans
A missed symptom, incorrect documentation, or failure to follow a care plan can lead to allegations of negligence.
4. Errors in Mobility Assistance
Improper transfers or support during mobility tasks can cause falls — one of the most litigated issues in elder care.
5. Family Expectations & Legal Awareness
Families today are more educated about elder rights, and litigation for perceived negligence is increasing. Caregiver malpractice research confirms that a single incident, even if unintentional, can cost tens of thousands of dollars in defense fees alone.
What Professional Liability Insurance Covers
A comprehensive policy typically includes:
Attorney fees and defense costs (even if the claim is unfounded)
Settlements and judgements
Claims of negligence or omission
Coverage for employees, volunteers, and contracted staff
Policies are specifically designed to protect adult day cares from care‑related lawsuits such as medication errors, improper personal care, or failure to supervise — all of which are outlined as insurable incidents in adult day care insurance guidance.
Why General Liability Insurance Is Not Enough
Many adult day care owners mistakenly believe their general liability policy covers all risks, It does not.
General liability covers:
Slip‑and‑fall injuries
Property damage
Premises liability claims
It does not cover mistakes related to professional care, such as medication handling, supervision, or client health support. Professional liability fills this critical gap.
State Regulations Make Professional Liability Even More Important
Adult day care operations are heavily regulated. Facilities must meet strict state licensing standards, including documentation procedures, staff training, and care protocols. Failure to meet these standards can directly expose the center to negligence claims.
Because adult day cares provide hands‑on care, insurers and regulators increasingly recommend or require professional liability as part of a comprehensive insurance program.
Protect Your Adult Day Care With Wexford Insurance
Wexford Insurance specialises in adult day care business insurance, working with carriers that understand the unique needs of your facility. We help you:
✔ Secure professional liability coverage tailored to your operations
✔ Protect your business from care‑related claims and lawsuits
✔ Reduce your insurance cost with multi‑carrier comparisons
✔ Meet state licensing and risk‑management requirements
✔ Get fast, accurate quotes with expert guidance
Request Your Professional Liability Insurance Quote
Protect your clients, your staff, and your business.
👉 Get your quote today at Wexford Insurance
Wexford Insurance makes it easy to get the right coverage, fast, affordable, and specialised for adult day care facilities.
