The plan was for Grandma to watch the toddler, but Grandma got the flu. You, the Doula, stepped in to keep the 3-year-old occupied while Mom pushed. The toddler tripped over a cord and needed stitches. The parents are suing you for the ER bill and “negligent supervision.” Your Doula insurance agent just told you, “We don’t cover babysitting.”
Key Takeaways
- The “Childcare Exclusion”: Almost all Professional Liability policies exclude claims related to childcare, babysitting, or day care services.
- Incidental vs. Primary: There is a gray area. Briefly holding a hand vs. being the designated watcher. Insurance companies hate gray areas.
- General Liability is Needed: Professional Liability covers your advice/support. General Liability (GL) covers slips, falls, and accidents. You need both.
- The “Designated Sibling Doula”: If you were hired specifically for the child, you are a Nanny in the eyes of the insurer, not a Doula.
The “Why” (The Trap): Professional vs. General Liability
This is the most common confusion in the birth world.
- Professional Liability (Malpractice): Covers errors in your specialized craft (e.g., missing a contraction pattern).
- General Liability (GL): Covers bodily injury to third parties on your premises or while you are working (e.g., you spill hot coffee on a toddler, or a toddler trips over your bag).
If you are “watching” the sibling, you are performing a service. If that service (childcare) isn’t listed on your policy declarations, it’s excluded.
[IMAGE: Graphic illustrating the difference between Professional Liability and General Liability risks]
The Investigation: I Called Them
I asked agents, “If I watch a sibling during a birth and they get hurt, am I covered?”
CM&F Group
- Answer: “Our policy covers you for Doula services. If you are acting as a babysitter, that is likely outside the scope.” They recommended sticking strictly to Doula work.
The Hartford (Small Business)
- Answer: They offer a robust General Liability policy that covers “accidental injury.”
- The Win: If you have a GL policy with them, and a kid trips over your birth ball, it’s covered. It costs about $350/year.
Care.com / Nanny Insurers
- Answer: If you market yourself as a “Sibling Doula,” you might actually need Nanny insurance, not Doula insurance.
Comparison Table
Coverage for sibling accidents.
| Scenario | Insurance Needed | Estimated Cost |
| Kid trips over your bag | General Liability (GL) | ~$300/yr |
| Kid chokes while you feed them | Childcare Liability (Nanny) | ~$600/yr |
| You advise mom on parenting | Doula Professional Liability | Included in Malpractice |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Buy General Liability (GL): Do not operate with just Malpractice. You need “Slip and Fall” coverage. It’s cheap and covers the “clumsy” accidents.
- Clarify the Role in Contract: Add a clause: “Doula is not responsible for childcare. Client must provide designated childcare for siblings.”
- Refuse the Responsibility: If Grandma cancels, tell the partner they are responsible for the toddler, not you. If you accept the duty, you accept the liability.
- Secure Your Gear: If a child gets into your birth bag and swallows a tincture or plays with scissors, that is “Negligence.” Keep your bag zipped and high up.
FAQ
Q: I offer “Sibling Doula” packages. What insurance do I need?
A: You need a policy that explicitly lists “Childcare” or “Nanny Services.” A standard Birth Doula policy will deny a claim involving a toddler under your sole care.
Q: Does my homeowner’s insurance cover me if I do births at my house?
A: No. Homeowner’s policies exclude “Business Pursuits.” If a client falls at your house, your home insurance will deny the claim. You need business GL.