A Doctor’s Professional Indemnity (DPI) insurance policy covers medical professionals against liabilities arising out of unintended professional mistakes. Doctors are held in high regard as they save lives. However, they may make unintentional mistakes while treating patients.
Key Takeaways
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The “Unnamed” Advantage: For large hospitals, buying cover on an Unnamed Basis is a major administrative win. You only need to declare the total number of doctors and staff. If a staff member leaves and a new one joins, they are automatically covered without needing to update the policy.
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Dual Protection Strategy: The gold standard for 2026 is Hybrid Coverage. A hospital should have its own “Medical Establishment” cover, but individual doctors should still carry their own private PI policy to ensure they are protected if they consult at other facilities.
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Inclusion of Non-Clinical Staff: Mistakes aren’t always surgical. A slip-and-fall due to a wet floor (sweeper’s error) or a misplaced file (peon’s error) can also lead to a lawsuit. Modern DPI policies allow extensions to cover these unqualified staff members.
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Registration is Non-Negotiable: To be eligible for a claim, the medical professional must hold a valid registration with the Medical Council. If a registration has expired or is invalid at the time of the incident, the insurer will likely reject the claim.
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Comprehensive Legal Shield: Beyond paying the patient, the policy covers the high fees of specialized medical defense lawyers. In a high-stakes litigation environment, having access to an expert legal defense is as valuable as the compensation amount itself.
Such mistakes may lead to costly lawsuits. So, the DPI policy covers legal expenses for fighting cases and paying the compensation that may run into lakhs. Good lawyers charge high fees. The policy thus provides comprehensive coverage to doctors.
Professionals covered under the Doctor’s Professional Indemnity DPI policy:
The policy covers doctors and specialists, including general physicians, pathologists, anesthetists, surgeons, and cardiologists. However, medical professionals need to have valid registration.
Establishments
Medical establishments like hospitals, clinics, and laboratories can also buy Doctor’s Professional Indemnity (DPI) insurance.
The policy will cover costs incurred by the establishment in case a medical professional or a qualified medical assistant makes a mistake or an error.
Unqualified Staff
The policy can also be extended to cover a medical establishment’s unqualified staff like peons and sweepers.
Doctors
Doctors need to give all details about their practice when buying insurance. However, if an establishment buys the insurance then it can be on an unnamed basis. This means that the total number of doctors and staff needs to be mentioned. There is no need for specific names. In such cases, the insurance will cover litigation on the hospital.
The best combination is for hospitals to buy a medical establishment cover and for individual doctors to buy their own professional indemnity insurance that covers them across hospitals.
The professional indemnity policy provides umbrella coverage to those named in it. This helps medical professionals to work without worrying about possible legal liabilities. It protects them from any professional liability and lawsuit or claim.
Summary: Coverage Spectrum of DPI Insurance
Role of SecureNow
SecureNow provides an excellent Doctors’ PI policy with best-in-class features at an unmatchable price. It is available for various types of hospitals and covers General Physicians as well as specialists like Radiologists, Pediatricians, Cardiologists, Surgeons, and Dentists.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: If I work in three different hospitals, do I need three different policies?
A) No. If you buy an individual Professional Indemnity policy, it covers you for your professional acts regardless of the hospital or clinic where you are practicing, provided you have declared your total practice scope.
Q2: Can a hospital cover me without knowing my name?
A) Yes, under an Unnamed Policy, the hospital simply tells the insurer, “We have 20 surgeons and 50 nurses.” As long as you are part of that count and working for the establishment during the incident, you are protected by the hospital’s policy.
Q3: Does the policy cover “Telemedicine” or online consultations?
A) In 2026, most advanced DPI policies include a clause for Telemedicine, provided the consultation follows the official government guidelines. If you primarily consult online, ensure this extension is explicitly mentioned in your policy.
Q4: What happens if an “unqualified” staff member causes an accident?
A) If you have opted for the “Unqualified Staff Extension,” the insurer will cover liabilities arising from the actions of peons, sweepers, or administrative staff, provided the act was unintentional and occurred during their work duties.
Q5: Is there a limit to how many staff members a hospital can include?
A) There is no fixed limit, but the premium is calculated based on the total head-count. If the actual number of staff at the time of a claim is significantly higher than what was declared in the policy, the “Pro-Rata” rule may be applied, reducing the claim amount.
About The Author
Saloni Mishra
MBA Insurance Management
With an illustrious career in the insurance sector, Saloni is a distinguished writer specializing in articles concerning doctor professional indemnity policies for SecureNow. Leveraging 12 years of hands-on experience, she understands the intricate nuances of professional indemnity insurance tailored specifically for medical professionals. Her articles offer invaluable insights into the significance of doctor professional indemnity coverage, addressing the unique risks and challenges healthcare practitioners face. Renowned for their expertise and attention to detail, Saloni is committed to providing readers with informative and actionable content that empowers them to make informed decisions regarding their insurance needs.
