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APCC-Association of Professional Canadian Consultants Insurance Program

APCC

Welcome to the APCC Professional Insurance Program from PROLINK

As an Independent Consultant, you know that you can’t rely on your employer’s insurance to assist you when things go wrong. That’s why PROLINK—Canada’s Insurance Connection partnered with the APCC to develop an insurance program that addresses the unique professional risks you face. Plus, our Association of Professional Canadian Consultants (APCC) Professional Insurance Program also includes Virtual Assistants as a professional category.

PROFESSIONAL INSURANCE FOR APCC MEMBERS

Browse our professional insurance solutions tailored to the needs of Independent Contractors working in IT or Management Consulting, expanded to include Virtual Assistants.

PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY (E&O) AND COMMERCIAL GENERAL LIABILITY (CGL) INSURANCE

What is it?
Professional Liability Insurance will respond to a lawsuit alleging the professional services provided by you or your business were inadequate or that you were negligent in the provision of those services.

Commercial General Liability Insurance covers you for third party injuries or property damage related to your activities. Examples include injuries from faulty equipment, slippery floors, or even accidentally damaging a piece of equipment that belongs to your client. It will respond to lawsuits alleging illness, injury, property damage, false advertising, slander, and more.

Why do we recommend it?
Your clients seek your guidance when it’s time to think outside the box because you bring specialized expertise to the table. But when it comes to clients and advice, what you intended to communicate may not always be the same as what is understood by the client. You can’t control for every single risky outcome that could, in turn, leave you exposed. There are simply too many external factors involved.

We can help. In partnership with the APCC, PROLINK has developed an insurance program that addresses the specific risks you face as an independent IT or Management Consultant or Virtual Assistant.

Through our program you can:

  • Protect yourself from actual or alleged claims made against you;
  • Pay legal defence costs and compensatory damages if you are found liable;
  • Maintain your flexibility by not tying you to a single firm or contract;
  • Access unparallelled rates!

BUSINESS INSURANCE

What is it?
Business Insurance covers your office contents, furniture, fixtures, fittings, and building against theft, fire, earthquake, flood, and more. This policy also includes coverages for:

  • Victim related crime losses (cash stolen from you, cheque forgery affecting you);
  • Extra Expense (pays for your additional costs while recovering from a covered disruption).

Why do we recommend it?
Business Insurance is critical if you have your own business, regardless of the location. Whether you work from home or out of a commercial office, your general liability or homeowner’s policies won’t reimburse you for any damage to your business assets following a break-in, fire, or other disaster.

CYBER INSURANCE

What is it?
Cyber Insurance protects your business and offsets your losses in the event of a breach, such as when your company’s information is stolen or exposed by a hacker, or accidentally released by an employee.

Why do we recommend it?

As cybercrime grows in frequency and scale, it’s never been more important to keep you, your clients, and their data safe. A breach is all but inevitable—it’s just a matter of when it happens. Without proper security, you risk losing permanent access to mission-critical data. Plus, if you’re found negligent in the event of a breach, you could be fined up to $100,000 for compliance violations under Canadian privacy laws. Then there are indirect costs of remediation, like client notification, investigation, business interruption, legal fees, and more. A standalone cyber insurance policy can help.

In addition to coverage for legal fees and breach expenses, Cyber Insurance policies also have access to a whole host of valuable resources to help you unpack the situation, including:

  • Cybersecurity experts;
  • A specialized data forensics team;
  • A legal breach coach to advise you on response and regulatory compliance;
  • PR consulting services to manage reputational harm;
  • And more.

With a comprehensive policy, you’ll be able to protect your company from financial loss and get ahead of a breach without losing business momentum or taking a massive reputational hit. 


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

PROFESSIONAL INSURANCE

What does Professional Liability Insurance cover?

In general, Professional Liability Insurance covers you against allegations brought by a third party (e.g., a client) seeking damages resulting from a negligent or wrongful act, error, or omission arising from your profession and within your scope of practice.

What does Commercial General Liability Insurance cover?

Commercial General Liability Insurance covers you in the case of third party injuries and property damage that occurs through your professional activities. It also provides you with insurance for Tenant’s Legal Liability, Employer’s Liability, Voluntary Compensation, Non-Owned Automobile Coverage, and more.

What do I do if I receive a statement of claim?

Once you are aware of an actual or potential claim, report it to PROLINK immediately. Please refrain from making written or oral statements, and do not offer to compensate or admit liability. Taking such actions could interfere in the insurer’s ability to manage the claim.

Click here to see how you can file an insurance claim in 5 steps or less.

When do I need to notify PROLINK with a potential claim?

Notify PROLINK as soon as you are served with a statement of claim. However, there are other circumstances where you should also contact PROLINK because it could constitute a claim under your Professional Liability Insurance policy.

The other circumstances include:

  • A client or their lawyer issues a verbal or written demand for damages (i.e., a letter or email is sent to you);
  • A client or their lawyer makes threatening comments verbally or in writing indicating that they are seeking damages and/or may sue you.
  • You made a mistake in how you rendered your professional services and may have caused harm to a client.

The Professional Liability Insurance policy is a “claims-made” policy. What does "claims-made" mean?

The Professional Liability Insurance policy offered is written on a “claims-made” basis. 

Regardless of when a wrongful act takes place, this policy only applies to claims that are:

  • First made against the insured (i.e., you or your firm) during the term of the policy; AND,
  • Reported to the insurance company or PROLINK in writing during the policy period.

What if I have to change something on my policy between renewals?

For any mid-term changes, please email us at APCC@prolink.insure.

Does the APCC Insurance Program have a common renewal date?

Yes, all members must renew by January 5th each year.

Do I need an APCC Membership to apply?

You must have a valid APCC Professional Membership to be eligible for this insurance. Use the link below to purchase your Professional Membership. Associate members and non-APCC members are not eligible for this insurance.

Need to obtain an APCC Membership? Click here.

Why is Cyber Insurance important?

Every business faces the looming threat of a privacy breach during its lifespan. Even the most secure organizations aren’t immune to the tactics of sophisticated fraudsters or mistakes by distracted or poorly trained employees. Ultimately, in today’s digital age, it’s not about if your company will experience a breach—it’s about when.

Without proper controls or security training, you risk losing permanent access to mission-critical data. Plus, if you’re found negligent in the event of a breach, you could be fined up to $100,000 per violation under Canadian privacy laws. Then there are indirect costs of managing breach fallout, like client notification, investigation, business interruption, legal fees, and third-party lawsuits and damages.

Even worse? Diminished goodwill and reputational harm from the breach might even do more harm than remediation costs, especially if you don’t take swift action or notify breach victims right away. Once you’ve lost that trust, it won’t be easy to attract new clients or regain old ones.

That’s where Cyber Insurance comes in. With a comprehensive policy, you can protect your company from financial loss and get ahead of a breach without losing business momentum or taking a massive reputational hit.

HOME & AUTO INSURANCE

APCC MEMBERS SAVE UP TO 20%

With PROLINK, you’ll find a solution that fits your needs, your lifestyle, and your budget. Plus, you can access:

Even Better Coverage:

PROLINK represents a wide network of over 30 insurers, so we can offer you a range of solutions and price points. We’ll look at all of the available options and leverage our existing partnerships to demand the best-fit coverage for your needs.

Even Better Advice:

Our team will take the time to understand your unique circumstances, explain your coverage options, and offer genuine, personalized advice to help you manage your exposures.

Even Better Rates:

Our dedicated team of advisors will regularly monitor your account so you don’t have to. If we see your premium going up over time, we’ll proactively search for a better fit to get you the coverage you need and the savings you deserve.

Even Better Service:

Count on PROLINK for any policy changes, proof of insurance requirements, and guidance through the claims process. We will advocate for your needs and answer any questions you have so that you can feel confident in your coverage.

See how much you can save on your Home & Auto Insurance!

HOME & AUTO INSURANCE

APCC MEMBERS SAVE UP TO 20%

With PROLINK, you’ll find a solution that fits your needs, your lifestyle, and your budget. Plus, you can access:

Even Better Coverage:

PROLINK represents a wide network of over 30 insurers, so we can offer you a range of solutions and price points. We’ll look at all of the available options and leverage our existing partnerships to demand the best-fit coverage for your needs.

Even Better Advice:

Our team will take the time to understand your unique circumstances, explain your coverage options, and offer genuine, personalized advice to help you manage your exposures.

Even Better Rates:

Our dedicated team of advisors will regularly monitor your account so you don’t have to. If we see your premium going up over time, we’ll proactively search for a better fit to get you the coverage you need and the savings you deserve.

Even Better Service:

Count on PROLINK for any policy changes, proof of insurance requirements, and guidance through the claims process. We will advocate for your needs and answer any questions you have so that you can feel confident in your coverage.

See how much you can save on your Home & Auto Insurance!

Get Your Free Insurance Quote:

LIFE & HEALTH

PROLINK will take the time to listen, understand your lifestyle, and guide you to the best protection possible.

Health & Dental Insurance

Supplement your primary healthcare and access the care you need, when you need it with coverage for: extended health, dental, vision, medication, massage, chiropractic, physiotherapy, travel insurance, and more.

Disability Insurance

Protect your income if you’re unable to work because of a physical injury or ailment. It doesn’t matter if it’s a temporary or permanent disability; insurance will replace anywhere from 60-85% of your monthly earnings up to a specified time.

Critical Illness Insurance

Prepare for an unexpected illness or injury with a one-time, tax-free, lump sum. Once it’s paid, how you spend it is completely up to you, whether that’s on medicine, home accessibility, or even paying off part of your mortgage.

Life Insurance

Secure a simple, straightforward solution that will help you plan ahead while still guaranteeing protection for your loved ones. If there’s anyone relying on you for income—your children, spouse, ageing parents, or even a business partner—life insurance is worth it.

LIFE & HEALTH

PROLINK will take the time to listen, understand your lifestyle, and guide you to the best protection possible.

Health & Dental Insurance

Supplement your primary healthcare and access the care you need, when you need it with coverage for: extended health, dental, vision, medication, massage, chiropractic, physiotherapy, travel insurance, and more.

Disability Insurance

Protect your income if you’re unable to work because of a physical injury or ailment. It doesn’t matter if it’s a temporary or permanent disability; insurance will replace anywhere from 60-85% of your monthly earnings up to a specified time.

Critical Illness Insurance

Prepare for an unexpected illness or injury with a one-time, tax-free, lump sum. Once it’s paid, how you spend it is completely up to you, whether that’s on medicine, home accessibility, or even paying off part of your mortgage.

Life Insurance

Secure a simple, straightforward solution that will help you plan ahead while still guaranteeing protection for your loved ones. If there’s anyone relying on you for income—your children, spouse, ageing parents, or even a business partner—life insurance is worth it.

CARING CLAIMS

If you’re lucky, you might never have to make a claim against your insurance. But in the event that you do, PROLINK will respond with urgency, empathy, and compassion. Hover over the images below to see contact options.

MON-FRI, 8AM to 5PM

Monday to Friday, 8AM to 5PM

If you have a potential claim, and would like to speak to PROLINK, please contact us directly at 1 800 663 6828. No matter the time of day, be sure to have your policy number and key details of the incident on-hand, including dates, events, and all persons and entities involved.

AFTER HOURS, WEEKENDS, HOLIDAYS

After Hours, Weekends, Holidays

Connect with our after-hours claims service, Kernaghan Insurance Adjusters at 1 800 387 5677, or contact your insurer directly and they’ll loop us in. To find your insurer’s claims department, simply open your policy wording.

If your claim is related to Professional Insurance, we strongly recommend that you wait to notify your PROLINK Account Manager during regular office hours.

MON-FRI, 8AM to 5PM

Monday to Friday, 8AM to 5PM

If you have a potential claim, and would like to speak to PROLINK, please contact us directly at 1 800 663 6828. No matter the time of day, be sure to have your policy number and key details of the incident on-hand, including dates, events, and all persons and entities involved.

AFTER HOURS, WEEKENDS, HOLIDAYS

After Hours, Weekends, Holidays

Connect with our after-hours claims service, Kernaghan Insurance Adjusters at 1 800 387 5677, or contact your insurer directly and they’ll loop us in. To find your insurer’s claims department, simply open your policy wording.

If your claim is related to Professional Insurance, we strongly recommend that you wait to notify your PROLINK Account Manager during regular office hours.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING

WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING

RISK MANAGEMENT ADVICE

For more information, check out our blog where we share our insights on insurance trends, current events, and practical tips and tricks to make the best of your coverage.

RISK MANAGEMENT ADVICE

For more information, check out our blog where we share our insights on insurance trends, current events, and practical tips and tricks to make the best of your coverage.

GET IN TOUCH

To speak to a professional who can guide you to the right coverage from the right insurer at the right price call us at:

1-800-663-6828

or send us an email below:

GET IN TOUCH

To speak to a professional who can guide you to the right coverage from the right insurer at the right price call us at:

1-800-663-6828

or send us an email below:


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