eGDCProfessional indemnity: top tips
Ensuring you have the right indemnity and insurance coverage is crucial for protecting both your patients and your professional career. Here are the key tips to help you navigate this important aspect of your practice.
1. Identify your practice needs
- Understand your role: Determine whether your practice involves direct patient care, indirect care (eg supervision, device fitting), or non-clinical roles. This will guide your insurance needs.
- Private vs NHS Work: If you do both, ensure you have adequate cover for all aspects of your practice.
2. Evaluate your cover
- Comprehensive coverage: Make sure your indemnity or insurance applies to all tasks, locations, and working hours. Don't leave any gaps in your coverage.
- Personal vs employer-based cover: If your employer provides cover, review it thoroughly. Consider additional personal cover if needed.
3. Fitness to Practise investigations
- Check your support: Check if your cover includes assistance for potential fitness to practise investigations. If not, consider exploring additional cover options.
4. Adapt to changes
- Update your coverage: If you've recently changed your scope of practice, tasks, or working hours, review and update your cover to reflect these changes.
5. Know your policy type
- Occurrence-based vs claims-made: Understand the differences. If you have claims-made cover, ensure you have run-off cover to protect against future claims after the policy expires.
6. Comply with terms and conditions
- Stay compliant: Make sure you adhere to the terms and conditions of your indemnity or insurance policy to avoid invalidation.
7. Employers and practice principals
- Cover your liabilities: If you employ others, ensure your policy includes protection against non-delegable duties and vicarious liability.
8. Documentation and regular review
- Keep records: Document your coverage details and review your policies regularly to ensure they remain appropriate.
9. Responding to claims
- Be prepared: Understand the claims management process and be ready to cooperate if a claim arises.
10. Continuous review
- Regular updates: Schedule regular reviews of your indemnity and insurance to keep your cover up to date with your practice needs.
Final tip: if in doubt, seek advice
- Consult an adviser: If you're unsure about any aspect of your coverage, speak to an indemnity or insurance adviser, your employer or your professional association.
Stay protected, stay compliant
Ensuring the right indemnity and insurance cover isn't just about meeting legal requirements - it's about safeguarding your career and providing the best possible care for your patients.
For more detail, refer to the GDC guidance on professional indemnity and insurance cover.