A doctor’s professional indemnity (DPI) policy safeguards medical professionals and establishments against liabilities and lawsuits. The liabilities are effectively a third-party’s losses. These occur due to an error of judgment or negligence on the doctor’s part. So, Who is the right insurer to buy a doctor’s professional indemnity policy from? Also, the increased awareness among people has resulted in a rise in claims against doctors, making doctors insurance more important than ever. As patients become more knowledgeable about their rights and medical negligence, doctors face higher risks of liability claims.
Considering the importance of this coverage, several general insurance companies offer this policy. It thus becomes imperative to choose the right company.
Here are a few factors that one should keep in mind while choosing the right insurer to buy a doctor’s professional indemnity policy from:
Study the coverage and extension features
Insurance companies offer several coverage benefits along with the doctor’s professional indemnity policy. These benefits vary across insurers. Legal costs and third-party settlements are part of the basic coverage but other benefits set insurers apart. Some examples of benefits that could be added include coverage in international courts, maintaining the retroactive date for small premium payment delays, and support from a panel of lawyers.
When choosing insurance for doctors, it is advisable to select an insurer that provides the most comprehensive coverage tailored to their specific needs. This includes considering factors like malpractice coverage, policy limits, claims process efficiency, and additional benefits to ensure maximum protection and peace of mind for doctors in their professional practice.
Check for responsiveness
Ask your insurer a few questions to see if they give accurate and timely responses. This in itself is a good indication of how responsive the insurer will be to a claim you make.
Additionally, consider factors such as their reputation, customer reviews, and testimonials. Evaluate their claim settlement process, customer service quality, and turnaround time for inquiries. Engage in direct communication with the insurer to gauge their responsiveness and willingness to address concerns promptly and efficiently.
Cost-effectiveness
There can be significant price differences for the same basic cover. That’s why you should compare costs across a small set of insurers that meet your coverage requirements. Pick the most cost-effective insurer.
Doctors’ Professional Indemnity Insurance aims to provide cost-effective coverage for healthcare professionals. While the cost varies depending on factors such as specialty, experience, and claim history, having this insurance can protect doctors from expensive legal costs and potential compensation claims, making it a valuable investment in mitigating financial risks.
Claim settlement record and process
Finally, the company should have a high claim settlement ratio. Also, the process should be smooth and the settlement Turn Around Time (TAT) lower than others.
Claim settlement ratio and process are crucial considerations when purchasing Doctor’s Professional Indemnity insurance as they indicate the insurer’s reliability and efficiency in settling claims, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience in case of any liability claims.
Since this information is not publicly available you may need to ask the insurer for their claim history and a few examples of claim settlement.
Additional Read: The common questions that you should ask when buying a DPI policy
How SecureNow helps?
SecureNow (www.securenow.in) is an insurance broker that helps you with placement, servicing, and handling claims. We work with all leading general insurance companies and understand a doctor’s professional indemnity well. SecureNow has also partnered with over 20 medical associations. Ask us if we work with the associations that you are affiliated with.
You can also enter your details to compare policy features and prices easily at www.securenow.in. Once you have made your choice, you can pay online and get your risk cover note instantly.
So, the next time you want to buy a DPI policy, come to SecureNow and find the right insurer.
