What Happens If a Client Files a Complaint - and You Don’t Have Insurance?

What would it cost you - financially, professionally, emotionally - if a client accused you of causing harm during a session?

Would you be able to cover legal fees, lost income, and reputational damage on your own…or would it put your practice at risk?

In this article, we’ll break down some costs energy healers and holistic practitioners may face when a complaint is filed, and show how carrying the right liability insurance can mean the difference between a protected business and a costly setback.

You’ll learn the types of legal claims energy healers are most vulnerable to, what those claims can cost you without insurance, and how affordable it is to put proper protection in place. Plus, we’ll give you a practical guide to evaluating coverage options so you can make the best decision for your practice.

 

Liability Insurance for Energy Healers: What’s at Stake

When a client files a complaint, it's not just your finances on the line. Your credibility, your ability to work with clients, and your future opportunities could all be at risk.

Energy healers may assume their practice is low-risk because they don’t use invasive tools or work in high-stress environments. But misunderstandings, mismatched expectations, or even miscommunications can escalate into formal complaints.

Whether it’s an injury, an emotional reaction, or simply a client who was dissatisfied with a session, the consequences can range from temporary hiccups to long-term financial and reputational harm.

The question isn’t if a complaint will happen; it’s whether you’ll be protected when it does.

How Much Could a Client Complaint Cost an Energy Healer?

The financial impact of a client complaint can be significant - even if you did nothing wrong.

If the situation leads to legal action, the average settlement amount in related cases ranges between $30,000 and $50,000!

And that doesn’t include legal defense costs, which often begin at several thousand dollars and can escalate quickly depending on the complexity of the case.

Even outside of court, handling a complaint professionally may require you to:

• Consult with an attorney
• Respond to licensing or professional boards
• Take time off work to manage documentation or meetings
• Cover any costs associated with resolution or client care

If you’re uninsured, every one of those costs comes out of your own pocket.

The Two Types of Coverage Energy Healers Need

Energy healing practitioners face risks that span both their services and their working environment. That’s why a bundled policy that includes both general liability and professional liability is so important.

• General Liability Insurance covers physical incidents like slip-and-fall injuries or property damage that occur on-site. These are the kinds of issues that often lead to costly claims.
• Professional Liability Insurance provides protection against claims related to your services - such as emotional distress or allegations of harm within the bounds of your modality.

These two types of coverage work together to protect you comprehensively, and for most energy professionals, this combination is ideal for their needs.

💡Looking for more information on other forms of insurance and protection? Read our article: Do Energy Healers Need More Than Just Liability Insurance?

Cost of Insurance vs. Cost of a Client Complaint for Energy Healers

Let’s put the numbers into perspective:

• A bundled general + professional liability policy for energy healers may cost between $275-385 per year.
• A single claim - just one client complaint that escalates - could cost $30,000–$50,000 or more.

Carrying insurance is a way to ensure you’re not one incident away from losing everything you’ve built.

What to Do If a Client Files a Complaint

If you’re covered, the process is straightforward:

• Notify your insurance provider
• Submit documentation of the incident
• Let your policy’s defense benefits activate

From that point, if a claim is valid, many insurance companies handle the legal defense, including costs like attorney fees and court expenses. This may also include support for settlements or judgements against the business, up to the policy’s limit.

It is best to speak with a professional if you have specific questions in regard to your coverage, when it applies, and how you are protected, as each policy may differ.

If you’re not insured? You’re handling all of this alone - paying hourly for legal help and absorbing any settlement or court costs out of pocket. Worse still, it could limit your ability to continue practicing while the matter is resolved.

What’s Next: Choose the Right Liability Insurance for Your Practice

If you’ve ever questioned what could happen if a client filed a complaint, now you know—the financial and professional risks are real and often underestimated.

That uncertainty is exactly what liability insurance is designed to protect you from.

Now that you understand the potential costs and how coverage works, the next step is to find a policy that fits your practice, your modality, and your level of risk.

Download the Buyer’s Guide to Liability Insurance for Energy Medicine Practitioners to compare options, understand what’s included, and choose coverage with confidence.

Energy Medicine Professional Association is a pioneer in the industry of energy healers and holistic practitioners. In fact, we are the only insurance provider that includes member benefits fully dedicated to this field!

We’re here to help you protect the work you’ve built - so you can keep serving your clients with peace of mind.

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.