Assuming you're fully covered could be costly. Find out the facts before you need the coverage. If you don't get clear, straightforward answers to these all-important questions, it's time you had your own individual policy.

Today's astronomical malpractice awards can quickly exceed coverage limits. If you are named in a malpractice lawsuit and your legal costs and settlement or judgment exceeds your employer limits, you may need to make up the difference. With coverage through HPSO, you are covered individually for up to $1 million each claim and up to $3 million aggregate.

Most employer-provided policies cover you only when you're at work. That means you could be financially liable for contract work performed after hours, Good Samaritan assistance, volunteer activities or even casual advice to a friend or neighbor. Your policy through HPSO covers you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

If you're covered by an employer's policy, your liability limits may be shared by other defendants. Shared limits decrease your individual coverage and increase your personal financial liability. Even worse, in some states you could be found liable for the financial responsibility of others. Insurance through HPSO provides you 100% sole coverage with no shared limits, subject to policy limits.

In addition to being named in a malpractice lawsuit, one of the most serious risks that healthcare professionals face is the suspension or withdrawal of their license - without which you lose your ability to work. Employers rarely provide license coverage, and in fact, are often the source of the complaint. With coverage through HPSO, you will be reimbursed for your defense of disciplinary charges and other covered expenses arising out of a covered incident.