Does Professional Liability Insurance Need to Be in My Name or My Business Name?

When Your Policy Isn’t In Your Business Name

You’re reviewing your insurance documents. You’ve finally gotten your coverage in place - a big step in protecting your practice - but something catches your eye: the policy is issued under your personal name, not your business name.

Maybe you’ve registered an LLC. Maybe you operate under a DBA. Maybe all your client forms, website, and branding use that business name.

So naturally, you pause and think:

Wait - should this be in my business name? Is this a mistake? Am I still covered if I’m not using my personal name everywhere else?

If that’s where your mind goes, guess what? This is one of the most common questions we hear from practitioners!

Here’s the good news: having your insurance policy in your legal name is not only correct - it’s typically how your coverage is meant to work.

And in this article, you’ll learn why.

You’ll also learn when - and if - it makes sense to add your business entity as an additional insured, and how to feel confident that you’re protected (no matter what name is on your website or your business cards).

💡 Additional Insured: an individual or entity addicted to an insurance policy for extended liability protection from that policy. Learn more about it here: Expanding Your Protection: What You Need to Know About Adding an Additional Insured

Why Insurance for Energy Healers Is Issued in Your Legal Name

When you purchase liability insurance through EMPA, the coverage is issued in your legal name - not your business name, even if you operate under an LLC or DBA. That might feel surprising at first, but there’s a clear reason for it:

You, the practitioner, are the one providing the services. Not your business name. Not your brand. Not your LLC.

➡️LLC: Limited liability company
➡️DBA: Doing business as

Professional liability and general liability insurance are designed to protect you as an individual against claims related to the services you personally provide - whether you’re working with a client, teaching a workshop, or running a training session.

The name your business operates under might change, but the person legally responsible for the work - the one on the receiving end of a potential lawsuit - is still you.

That’s why your policy is written in your personal name: It ensures the coverage follows you, no matter what you call your practice.

Does that Mean My Business Name is Unprotected?

Not necessarily - but it’s important to understand the distinction.

Your EMPA policy is not business property insurance or commercial entity coverage. It doesn't insure your company as a legal entity.

It covers you, the practitioner, for the work you do. That includes any services you deliver under a business name - as long as you’re acting in your professional capacity.

If a claim arises because of something you did during a client session, your personal-name policy will respond. That’s true even if your clients only know you by your business name.

The key thing to remember is this: the protection follows the person, not the brand.

What Your Insurance Policy Doesn’t Cover

It’s natural to assume that a business name should be front and center on every official document - especially when you’ve worked hard to build a brand, register an LLC, or set up a separate business bank account.

But when it comes to insurance, it’s important to understand that not all coverage is created equal. And not all of it is necessary for every practitioner.

Your EMPA policy provides two key forms of protection:

• Professional liability – protects you if a client claims harm because of the services you provided.
• General liability – protects you if someone is injured on your premises or if there’s property damage related to your practice.

This is core coverage designed around you and your professional work. It’s also the most essential kind of protection for energy healing and holistic practices.

However, your EMPA policy doesn’t cover business-specific risks like:

• Lost income from having to close your practice for a week
• Damage or theft of your session table, sound healing tools, or computer
• Claims involving employees or subcontractors

Those kinds of situations fall under business owner’s insurance or commercial property coverage - and they’re often attached to your business entity rather than your individual name.

Here’s why that matters:
Many practitioners think that by having a business name on their insurance policy, they’re getting more robust protection. But in reality, adding a business name doesn’t automatically include these kinds of coverages.

Unless you specifically purchased a separate policy that includes business interruption, property protection, or employee liability - adding your business name doesn’t change what’s covered under your professional and general liability policy.

⚠️This is important!

For most solo energy healers and holistic practitioners, the coverage you already have (professional and general) under your personal name is sufficient. We have worked with thousands of individuals and know that, for the majority, this is the most relevant protection for what you actually do.

If you’re not sure whether you may need to purchase an additional policy, consult a professional to review your options to ensure your level of coverage is appropriate for your work and business type.

Does Insurance Still Apply If I Use an LLC or DBA?

We often hear this question: if all my client forms, website, and invoices use my business name... does my insurance still apply?

Yes, it does. Echoing our previous statement, EMPA’s insurance coverage focuses on protecting you, the practitioner, and your actions in relation to your work.

Here’s how to think about it:

• You are the insured person.
• Your business name is simply the vehicle you work through.

Think of it like driving a car - your policy follows the driver, not the license plate, right?
That means:

• You can keep using your business name on client documents, websites, and forms.
• You don’t need to file paperwork or change how you brand your practice.
• You likely don’t need to be insured under your business name for your coverage to be valid.

As long as you are working within your scope of practice, and the work is being done by you, your policy is active.

One Important Note:

When you apply for your policy or request your Certificate of Insurance, use your full legal name - the name that appears on your ID or legal documents.

It might be tempting to use a nickname, spiritual name, or brand name - especially if that’s what your clients know you by - but your insurance coverage is legally tied to your official identity. If there’s ever a claim or legal proceeding, your policy needs to match the legal records.

Using a pseudonym or business name in place of your legal name could delay or complicate your protection. So while your brand can shine in your client-facing materials, your insurance documentation should always reflect your legal name.

Should I Add My Business Name as an Additional Insured on My Policy?

Once practitioners understand that the policy is correctly in their personal name, the next question is often: should I add my business entity to the policy too - just to be safe?

The answer? Sometimes.

Adding your business name as an additional insured can be a smart move - but it’s not required for everyone. It depends on how your practice is set up and what kinds of contracts or partnerships you’re involved in.

What does “additional insured” mean?

When you add your business name as an additional insured, you’re asking that your business entity (like an LLC or DBA) be included in the policy for liability purposes, in case it’s also named in a claim.

Let’s say a client files a lawsuit. Even though you provided the service, they might list both you personally and your business name in the legal documents. Adding your business as an additional insured gives you an extra layer of protection - because both names are explicitly listed on your certificate.

When is it helpful?

You might consider adding your business name as an additional insured to your professional and general liability policy if:

• You’ve registered an LLC or DBA and use it consistently
• You’re renting space and your landlord requires proof of insurance under your business name
• You’re entering into contracts with companies that ask to see your Certificate of Insurance
• You want paperwork alignment between your branding and your policy

Adding your business name helps create consistency on paper and can offer peace of mind - especially if you're growing or formalizing your business operations.

Keep in mind that adding your business name as an additional insured does not…

• change what’s covered.
• add commercial property or employee coverage.
• replace a business owner’s policy if you need broader coverage.

💡How to Add an Additional Insured with EMPA:

If you would like to add an additional insured to your certificate of insurance, please login to the member site and click on the ‘Insurance Corner’ tab, then ‘Additional Insured.’ This will give you directions for how to add an additional insured and take the payment. Be sure to scroll down to see the full page.

There is a $10 fee for each additional insured listed on the policy. You will add the item(s) to a shopping cart to make the payment. An email with the updated certificate pdf will be sent once processed. Certificates are usually updated within 24 hours.

What’s Next: Make Sure Your Business and Insurance Align

When you’re building a practice, it’s natural to question every detail - especially something as important as your insurance coverage.

So if you’ve been wondering whether your policy should be in your business name or whether you’re missing a step by using your legal name…

…you’re not missing anything. And you’re not alone in asking!

At EMPA, we’ve structured our policies with your reality in mind: that you, the practitioner, are the one delivering services.

You’re the one a client might file a claim against. You’re the one who needs the protection. And that protection is valid - regardless of the name on your website, your LLC paperwork, or your Instagram bio.

So if you’ve paused, second-guessed, or felt unsure - consider this your clarity! You’ve taken the responsible step. Your insurance is more than likely working as it should.

If you’re serious about building a safe, legitimate, and lasting energy healing practice, EMPA is here to help you do it right. We don’t just offer coverage—we offer clarity, community, and tools to support you at every stage of your journey. Join EMPA today and protect your practice with confidence.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not provide legal, financial, or medical advice. The examples are general, and coverage may vary by policy. Always refer to your insurance provider or policy language for specific details, as the policy terms take precedence. For legal concerns related to your practice, consult an attorney.