As a registrant of ARA you have access to the heavily discounted affinity insurance designed by us and offered by Balens Ltd. Celebrating 75 years of service, Balens is a specialist insurance broker dedicated to the Health, Well-being, Fitness and Beauty sectors. The team has considerable experience in these fields enabling them to focus on guidance, support, and service to their clients.

The Professional Liability and Malpractice Insurance Policy offered and arranged by Balens has been specifically designed to protect practitioners against claims of an injury or loss alleged to have been caused by you to your clients, patients, or other parties.

Why choose the Balens Insurance Scheme for Acupuncture Regulatory Authority (ARA) members?

The Balens Affinity Insurance Scheme is designed to offer flexible, specialist cover for your professional activities. Subject to the policy terms, conditions and eligibility criteria, you can select cover that reflects the therapies you provide and your business set up.

This is not a block scheme. You are provided with an individual policy that can be tailored to your own practice. The ARA have negotiated scheme rates with Balens so that your premium is based on the activities you are qualified in and actively practise. Under a block scheme, you would typically pay for cover for every therapy included in that scheme, even if you do not offer those treatments or require that insurance.

Working together, the ARA and Balens have developed a comprehensive Professional Liability Insurance package for eligible members, some of the key features include:

• Discounted Insurance premiums based on your membership with the ARA. Acupuncture rates start at £65.92 – a 53% discount from Balens direct scheme.
• Instant cover available
• Professional, Public & Products Liability Insurance
• £6,000,000 limit of liability cover
• Defence costs in addition– Legal defence costs are covered in addition to the £6,000,000 limit and are unlimited.
• Flexible Cover – Option to include up to 3,000 different therapies/activities subject to suitable qualification, many for no additional premium.
• Working abroad – Cover includes working abroad with no time limits, as long as you remain a UK resident. Work in the USA/Canada is excluded unless specifically agreed; please contact Balens if this is required.
• Cover for teaching -Provides specific protection when you train, supervise or assess others, not just when you practise yourself. Cover for certifying can be included – please contact Balens.
• Claims occurring basis – The policy is on a claim occurring basis. This can help ensure cover remains in place for work you did in the past, even if you later take a break or leave of absence from practice, provided you were insured at the time.
• Cover for previous work – Includes cover for previous work performed (providing you were insured at the time), protecting you against late‑discovered claims or allegations.
• A Legal Expenses package, included in the premium which will provide:
  • Cover for legal defence costs for criminal allegations
  • Cover for tax enquiries or VAT disputes
  • Access to a legal and counselling helpline.
  • Access to a Tax helpline.
• Additional optional policies for Business Contents and Equipment and Personal Accident cover.

Access to a Broker who understands your specialism:

• Balens are a specialist broker in the Health and Wellbeing sector. Recently celebrated their 75^th anniversary and have specialised in this sector for over 30 years.
• Activities customised to your practice. Cover available for the following techniques (subject to suitable qualifications):
  • Battlefield Acupuncture/semi-permanent needles
  • Phlebotomy and blood testing
  • Gua Sha, Cupping, Moxibustion, Electro Acupuncture, TDP Moxa Lamps, Tuina,
  • Cosmetic Acupuncture
  • Cosmetic peels and cosmeceuticals
  • Blood-letting

Full terms, conditions, exclusions, and limitations are set out in the policy documentation (see below) , which should be read carefully before you apply or decide if the cover is appropriate for you.

Contact Balens:

• Phone: 01684 580771 (Please discuss with the affinities team department)
• Email: Affinities@Balens.co.uk
• By webchat via our website: www.balens.co.uk

Balens are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Firm Reference Number 305787. Balens is a trading name of Balens Ltd. Registered in England and Wales under No. 04931050. Registered office: Rossington’s Business Park, West Carr Road, Retford, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom, DN22 7SW. Balens Ltd is part of the PIB Group. BD250619