1 |
If I am asked to provide treatment outside my practice premises, will I be insured? |
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Yes, you are insured while treating anywhere in the United Kingdom and it is not practical to advise your insurers where every treatment is carried out. They are, however, entitled to know of any material fact relating to the risk they cover, which includes your practice address/es and we need to be advised of the 2 main addresses you practise from. |
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2 |
If I go on holiday and I am asked to treat somebody while I am away, will I be insured? |
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You are insured while treating anywhere in the United Kingdom, but if you go abroad to visit a friend’s practice and would like to work for a couple of days you should advise us before you go. In such circumstances, it is normally possible to arrange an extension for you. There is specific cover in the policy wording for Good Samaritan Acts (Medical Malpractice 3, 8), but you must be aware that it is not possible to provide extensions for anywhere in North America, or other US territories due to the blanket exclusion of these areas in the policy wording (Medical Malpractice 5, 6a). |
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3 |
I have been asked to have someone in my practice on a work experience placement, does my insurance cover this? |
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No, your professional insurance is specific in protecting you against claims by a patient in your care. If you are a Clinic Proprietor, Employers’ Liability Insurance is provided under your Clinic/Surgery policy. |
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4 |
If students work in my practice as part of their supervised training, does my insurance cover this? |
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Yes, as long as they are working as part of their training with the approval of their college. Any treatment carried out will be on your patients and as they will be working under your direct supervision at all times you will be responsible for everything they do (Medical Malpractice 3, 3e). You must, however, ensure that they have been certified by their College as being competent in any technique you ask them to carry out. A student must never be allowed to carry out treatment without supervision. |
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5 |
I have now qualified in another therapy. Can it be added to my insurance, or should I take out insurance separately for this? |
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Almost any therapy with a properly structured training can be added to your insurance. If the additional therapy is in the same or a lower risk category, there will be no extra charge. If it is in a higher risk category, then you will be asked to pay an additional premium. Simply forward confirmation of your qualification to us. Most training establishments have already registered their courses with us, but if they have not, it will be necessary for us to send a copy of the course curriculum to your insurers for their approval before cover can be provided. If you are considering training in another therapy we suggest that you ask first and if necessary, send us a copy of the course curriculum so that it can be forwarded to your insurers for approval before you start. |
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6 |
If I have a stand at a local exhibition or in some other public area, will my insurance cover this? |
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There are 2 points to consider here. The first is whether you intend providing any treatment at the event, by way of a demonstration. Your cover allows you to practice at any address in the UK and it is assumed that the treatments will take place in a clinical environment or in the patient's home/office. Insurers do not expect treatments to be carried out in a public area and with this in mind we recommend that you provide full details of your intentions so that Insurers may consider cover, any restrictions they may wish to impose and any additional premium that may be required. We further recommend that a simple form should be completed, recording at least the volunteer's name, address and details of any treatment given.
The second question involves the public liability aspect. To ensure that you are properly protected, please advise us as early as possible with details of the intended activity, venue, date and time, so that insurers may consider extending your policy. |
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7 |
I understand that I am not insured unless I charge a fee for the treatment. Is this correct? |
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No, it is not correct. A fee, however, does establish that a contract is in place and can help protect the rights of both the patient and the practitioner. |
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8 |
I am considering training in another therapy. When I have completed the course, can the additional therapy be added to my insurance? |
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After completing a course at a recognised school or college in any of the main therapies, it can easily be added to your insurance. It will be added without charge if the additional therapy is in the same or a lower risk category than your current one, however, if it is in a higher risk category there will be an extra charge. Care should be taken when studying some of the less well known techniques, as they may not have been approved by your insurers. We recommend that you ask before signing up or parting with any money. |
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9 |
If I do not need insurance for the full year, will I be able to obtain a refund when I stop practising? |
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Please ensure that we are advised in writing at least 2 weeks before you stop practising and a refund will be sent to you for each complete quarter of the year that has not been used. For example if you cease practising on 30th June we will refund three quarters of your premium, but if you cease on 1st July you will only receive half. |
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10 |
How Can I Pay My Insurance ? |
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We accept cheques and most major credit cards (unfortunately not American Express). In most instances we can also offer direct debit payment facilities over ten months. |
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