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Practice Cover Surgery Insurance

Surgery Insurance FAQs

The Practice Cover Surgery Insurance FAQs explain how to protect your practice with both mandatory and optional cover. Core protections include Employers’ Liability, Public & Products Liability, and Business Interruption. Optional extras range from vaccine storage and equipment cover to legal expenses, staff injury, and key person insurance.
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surgery insurance frequently asked questions
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

FAQs

What Happens When I Make a Claim?

When you file a claim, it will be handled fairly and promptly, with regular updates provided via email, letter, or phone.

How might my claim be processed?

Depending on the specifics and value of your claim, we may:

  • Send you a form to complete
  • Request additional information
  • Appoint an independent loss adjuster for further investigation
  • Arrange a meeting with a member of our claims team

Do I Need Employers’ Liability Insurance?

Yes, if your business employs staff, whether full-time or part-time, employers’ liability insurance is mandatory. Our Employers’ Liability coverage protects your legal responsibilities to employees who may get injured or become ill due to their work for you. It covers your legal defence costs and compensates the employee if negligence on your part is proven. area. We recommend checking with your local CCG for guidance on the required amount of coverage.

Do I Need Public & Products Liability Insurance?

Our £5 million Public & Products Liability coverage protects your legal responsibilities to patients or members of the public who may get injured or become ill in your care or on your premises. It covers your legal defence costs and compensates the injured party if negligence on your part is proven. Our policy offers a sliding scale of coverage from £2 million to £10 million, tailored to your needs. Standard policy coverage tends to be £5 million, but this can vary depending on your CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group) area. We recommend checking with your local CCG for guidance on the required amount of coverage.

What is Vaccine Coverage?

Our policy includes an option to cover the replacement of vaccines stored in your practice refrigerators, including frequently used vaccines as well as stockpiles of seasonal flu or travel vaccines. Additionally, drugs stored outside refrigerators within your practice are also covered. Insurance for refrigerated drugs and vaccines is available up to £30,000 per location and up to £10,000 per fridge.

What Does Minimum Standard of Security Mean?

To prevent theft, our policy requires your premises to meet a minimum security standard, which typically includes:
  • Five-lever mortice deadlocks that comply with British Standard 3621 on all final exit doors.
  • Key-operated window locks on all ground floor and accessible opening windows.
Please refer to your full policy documentation for detailed requirements, as these may vary depending on the type of doors and windows you have. Note that this does not apply to any doors or windows officially designated as fire exits by the Fire Authority.

Can Multiple Surgeries Be Covered?

Yes, if all surgeries are operated under the same legal entity, we can insure them under a single policy.

Do I Need Business Interruption Insurance?

Business interruption insurance is crucial for surgeries that might face significant incidents such as fires or floods, which could halt operations. Our coverage complements claims for buildings and contents, aiding in the swift resumption of activities. For instance, it can facilitate relocating your practice while restoration is underway, ensuring minimal disruption.

How Do I Value the Cost of My Building?

As part of our policy coverage, we offer a RICS Desktop Survey to determine the rebuild value of insured properties.

What is Legal Expenses Coverage and Loss Recovery Service?

Legal Protection: This covers legal costs up to £100,000 and includes contract disputes, compensation claims, and HMRC tax investigations. Adding this to your policy can safeguard your surgery’s financial future against substantial legal expenses.

Are Staff Injuries Outside of Work Covered?

Our comprehensive Surgery Insurance policy offers 24/7 worldwide coverage, encompassing a wide range of activities. If your staff members engage in more adventurous pursuits beyond tennis or football, please inform us. We can extend coverage to include most activities, from scuba diving to skiing.

Do I Need Specialist Insurance for My Surgery?

Owning a medical, dental, or veterinary surgery necessitates the right insurance. While some types of insurance are legally required or contractually mandated, specialist practices should consider additional coverage. As expert medical insurers, we offer tailored options to meet your needs, including building coverage, legal expense protection, and loss recovery services.

The specific insurance you need depends on your practice and the services you provide. However, as a general guide, consider the following:

  • Employer’s Liability Insurance: Legally required for any business with employees, this protects you if an employee is injured during work activities.
  • Public Liability Insurance: Essential for any business interacting with the public. The industry standard is £5 million, but some authorities may require coverage up to £10 million.
  • Contractual Obligations: Check if your mortgage lender requires a specific insurance level. Ensure your policy covers complete rebuild and reinstatement costs in the event of a total loss.
  • Contents Insurance: This covers the replacement cost of all contents at today’s prices. Make sure that items not fixed to the building, such as carpets and blinds, are covered separately under contents insurance.

Depending on your practice type, additional special medical practice coverage may be required, such as:

  • GP Surgeries: Protection for stock deterioration, pharmaceuticals, refrigerated vaccines, personal belongings, and defence against patient assaults.
  • Dental Practices: Coverage for precious metals and dental chairs.
  • Veterinary Surgeries: Insurance for animals under your care or control.
  • Dental Laboratories: Protection for laboratory equipment.

We strongly recommend regularly reviewing and updating your valuations to ensure accurate coverage. Additionally, conduct a thorough inventory to prepare for any significant loss.

Are Computers and Related Equipment Covered?

Yes, the following instances are covered:

  • Damage resulting from accidental power outages, telecommunications failures, or restricted access to your premises.
  • Costs associated with restoring programs or data that have been accidentally or maliciously deleted.
  • Increased operational expenses due to the accidental or malicious deletion of programs or data.
  • Coverage for leased equipment, including printers and phone systems.

What is Legal Protection Coverage?

Legal Protection Coverage encompasses employee dispute resolution, tax investigation support, and legal defence expense coverage.

What Does Key Person Coverage Include?

This coverage extends to expenses incurred during the indemnity period due to the permanent disablement or death of any director or partner, which prevents them from fulfilling their duties and disrupts the business. Coverage is available up to £10,000.

Can I Pay in Instalments?

Yes, you can spread the cost of your policy by setting up a Direct Debit. This allows you to pay your premium in equal monthly instalments via our trusted provider, Close Brothers.

What is The Policy Duration?

Our insurance policy is effective for 12 months and is renewed annually. For exact start and end dates, please refer to your policy schedule.

How Do I Make a Complaint?

If you wish to make a complaint regarding your Surgery Insurance policy, please contact our customer service team during business hours, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm:

By Post:

Practice Cover Ltd
Business Centre
37 Biggleswade Road
Potton
Sandy
SG19 2LU

By Email: enquiries@practicecover.co.uk
By Phone: 0203 982 4240

We aim to respond to complaints promptly and within business hours. If we cannot resolve the issue to your satisfaction, you may contact the Financial Ombudsman Service for free and independent complaint resolution:

The Financial Ombudsman Service
Exchange Tower
London
E14 9SR

Website: www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk
Telephone: 0800 023 4567 or 0300 123 9123
Email: complaint.info@financial-ombudsman.org.uk

For more details on our complaints process, please refer to our full policy documentation, available upon request.

What Are The Policy Cancellation Terms?

You can cancel your policy at any time. To do so, please contact us:

By Post:

Practice Cover Ltd
Business Centre
37 Biggleswade Road
Potton
Sandy
SG19 2LU

By Email: enquiries@practicecover.co.uk
By Phone: 0203 982 4240

If no claims have been made or incidents likely to result in a claim have occurred during the current insurance period, you may be eligible for a pro-rata premium refund. Our team will guide you through the refund process and payment options.