Professional Liability Insurance Resource Information for CPSTs

While Safe Kids, the certifying organization for the National Standardized Child Passenger Safety Certification Training Program, does not require or provide liability insurance for certified technicians or instructors, it is recommended that technicians confirm liability status to protect themselves prior to participating at a sponsored child passenger safety checkup, event or activity. In addition, this is equally advised for technicians who provide private services.

---

Employer/Agency Sponsored

As a certified technician, when you participate in car seat checkup and community events, liability insurance is often covered by the hosting governmental agency, organization, or your own employer (if sponsoring). However always confirm before to participating. Check with your state CPS coordinator or state Safe Kids coordinator for local liability resources that might be available. Some states for example, have liability insurance coverage for those trained to provide no-cost seat checks in specific locations, such as the State of South Carolina.

Recommendations:

• Check with your employer or sponsoring agency or organization about liability prior to participating in an event to make sure you are covered.

• Teach correct installation, use of appropriate child restraint system and seat belts to the caregiver, and provide best practices as needed.

• When teaching, stay within your scope of work as a CPST. 
• At each event or activity, refer to the most current copy of the LATCH manual, child restraint manufacturer's instructions and vehicle owner's manual.
• Use a liability release and CPS checklist form. These are generally provided by the sponsoring agency or organization. Make sure this is accurately completed by the parent or caregiver prior to beginning work with them. This will document how the child arrived, what educational recommendations you provided and how the child left the checkup. Always obtain their signature prior to starting. In addition ensure you document your findings, such as misuse, if the parent or caregiver chooses to not follow best practice recommendations, etc. Review and make sure it is fully complete.

• Have another technician or senior technician review the installation, checklist and any other information on the checkup form, such as any safety concerns, including having children unattended, or other risks to the lead person hosting the checkup or activity.

---

Private Servce

As an independent certified technician, whether you provide a no-cost or fee-based service, it is highly recommended to have your own professional liability insurance. While in the United States there is no formal professional insurance liability company specifically designated for child passenger safety technicians or instructors, there are options to consider. Fees can vary greatly depending on the amount of coverage you desire and whether you provide services full time or part time. When searching for a liability insurance company, as a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician or Instructor, you will likely be designated as a "Health & Safety Educator". Make sure the insurance representative understands your duties and does  confuse you with a K-12 or CPR/EMS educator. Remind them that:

• You are an educator (that you do not install car seats)
• You have specific training, certification and continuing education credits to maintain your certification status

Professional Liability Insurance Resources
The following are several resources for professional liability insurance (you can also contact your homeowner insurance provider and inquire about similar liability insurance):

• Healthcare Providers Service Organization

• Lockton Affinity Medical Liability Insurance

• Insureon Health Educators Insurance

Check with your state CPS coordinator or state Safe Kids coordinator for local liability resources that might be available. Some states for example, have liability insurance coverage for those trained to provide no-cost seat checks in specific locations, such as the State of South Carolina.

Recommendations:

• Teach correct installation, use of appropriate child restraint system and seat belts to the caregiver, and provide best practices as needed.
• When teaching, stay within your scope of work as a CPST. If you have additional educational recommendations that can be helpful to the caregiver, only provide such recommendations if you have appropriate certification, license or education (i.e. nurse, health educator, etc.) that allows so but make sure it is covered as part of your liability insurance.
• When working with a caregiver, always refer to the most current copy of the LATCH manual, child restraint manufacturer's instructions and vehicle owner's manual.
• Because you likely work alone, when you have questions or concerns, review with other certified technicians or instructors for peer review. Should you have immediate questions contact the manufacturer of the child restraint system.

• Use a liability release and CPS checklist form. If you do not have one, check with your state CPS coordinator. Make sure this is accurately completed by the parent or caregiver prior to beginning work with them. This will document how the child arrived, what educational recommendations you provided and how the child left the checkup. Always obtain their signature prior to starting. In addition ensure you document your findings, such as misuse, if the parent or caregiver chooses to not follow best practice recommendations, etc. Review and make sure it is fully complete.
• Maintain records of liability release and CPS checklist forms.
• Have another technician or senior technician review the installation, checklist and any other information on the checkup form, such as any safety concerns, including having children unattended, or other risks to the lead person hosting the checkup or activity.

Note: This resource has been reviewed by Safe Kids

---

Back to CPST Resources