Pamela, I have just finished cleaning up the coffee spew from my computer screen so I can respond. My heart has stopped racing .... YES YES no doubt about it YES you need professional liability insurance if you are working -- even in a volunteer capacity -- as an IBCLC. I am more familiar with the USA system; I know you are in the UK. Volunteer (or pro bono) consultations do NOT absolve one from all of the professional, legal and ethical responsibilities when seeing a mother as an IBCLC. The professional liability (or malpractice) insurance is back up for your clinical work -- not your checkbook. In the USA -- lawsuit crazy USA -- an IBCLC can get a year's worth of liability insurance for about $109. That is nothing! Where I live, I get more than that for ONE in-home consultation. This is a cost of doing business! You have to spend money to stay certified ... you have to spend money to buy office materials and create charts and travel to a mother's home (or) keep an office open ... you have to spend money to wash the clothes that the baby spit up on during the consult.. Insurance is simply a part of what it costs to do what we do. Obviously I respond through my Lawyer Lens ... but the peace of mind that proper insurance provides a healthcare provider is worth much more than we pay out. Even baseless, ridiculous lawsuits must be answered. All it takes is one cranky, misguided lawsuit to ruin you financially (not to say psychologically) ... even if you are ultimately absolved of any wrong-doing. The insurance pays for ALL that very costly legal representation! -- Liz Brooks JD IBCLC FILCA Wyndmoor, PA, USA *********************************************** Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html To reach list owners: [log in to unmask] Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask] COMMANDS: 1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail 2. To start it again: set lactnet mail 3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet 4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome