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What is Absence Insurance for locum GPs?
Our insurance is designed to replace up to 75% of your income for up to a year if you can’t work.
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How does the policy work?
We offer you a choice of cover. You can either choose cover which is annually renewable or you can choose continuity of cover.
Annually renewable cover means that if you claim, your cover may be restricted at your next renewal date.
Continuity of cover means that the underwriters cannot be amend, restrict or withdraw your cover, regardless of any claims you make.
Choose from 3 levels of cover.
For further details, call 020 3982 0420 or ask for a quotation.
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Will you give me advice?
Yes, our experienced staff will advise you on the cover suitable for you and your practice.
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Who is Absence Insurance for?
Practice Cover’s absence insurance has been designed for locum GPs, doctors in private practice and those working as hospital doctors (not employed by the NHS).
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How much insurance do I need?
You choose the weekly sum you would need in the event of your being unable to work. We can insure you for up to 75% of your locum earnings so, if you are earning £100,000 a year, we can insure you for any amount up to £1,442 a week. Our maximum is £3,000 a week.
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What will I be covered for?
Absence insurance will cover you, worldwide*, for absence from work due to accident and illness. Depending on the cover you select, you may also be eligible for:
- a weekly benefit if you are summoned for jury service, suspended from practicing, need to undergo training for revalidation purposes or need compassionate leave and
- a payment if you take maternity, paternity or adoption leave, are infected by HIV via a needlestick injury in the course of your work and a number of other eventualities.
Full details of the cover are contained in the Policy Document.*with the exception of Afghanistan, Chechnya, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, Israel (Gaza and West Bank only) and Somalia
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What are the exclusions?
The policy covers you for normal holiday activities eg skiing (as long as you are not competing or skiing off piste).
The full range of exclusions (including aeronautics, mountaineering, rock climbing, boxing, bungee jumping, racing, professional sports, self-inflicted injury, criminal acts, war, terrorism, being under the influence of alcohol, drugs or solvents, radioactive contamination, HIV/AIDS, venereal disease) is shown in the policy document, available on request.
Depending on the cover you choose, you may also be insured if you are infected by HIV via a needlestick injury or assault in the course of your work.
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What is the Benefit Period?
The benefit period is the maximum period for which the weekly sum insured will be payable, after expiry of the deferment period. It is generally 52 weeks but you can select a shorter benefit period e.g. 13, 26 or 39 weeks. The shorter the benefit period, the lower the premium.
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How long is the weekly Sum Insured paid?
In the case of a claim for illness or accident, the sum insured will be paid for as long as the insured person remains temporarily totally unable to work, up to a maximum of 52 weeks, or less, if you have requested a shorter benefit period. Payments will commence after the end of your chosen deferment period.
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What is the deferment period?
The deferment period is the initial period, after the illness or accident, during which the sum insured will not be paid. The deferment period is selected by you when you take out the policy. The longer the deferment period, the lower your premium will be.
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How long does the insurance last?
The duration of the cover is 12 months. This means that, shortly before the end of the year, we will contact you to ask you whether you would like to renew your cover and we will tell you what the premium and terms will be for the forthcoming year.
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What is the age limit?
We can insure people from 18 upwards. Those aged over 70 may be insurable on our annually renewable policy only and would need to complete an annual declaration of health.
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What is the tax position?
You may be eligible for tax relief on the premiums - please consult your tax adviser or your Tax Inspector.
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How do I pay?
The premium can be paid:
- In full, by BACS
- In full, by cheque
- in 6 or 10 monthly instalments, subject to a credit charge.
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What is Insurance Premium Tax (IPT)?
IPT is a tax on the premium you pay for all general insurance policies where the risk is located in the UK. This includes Locum Insurance as well as motor, household, travel and other protection cover. IPT is automatically included in the premium we quote.
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How do I set up cover ?
The first stage is to get a quote. You can have as many quotes as you like and, once you have one that suits your requirements, you will need to complete a proposal form. Or you can give us a call and we'll do this over the phone for you.
We are generally able to set up your cover the same day, if that's what you need.
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How do I make a claim?
Please let us know as soon as possible if you think you may need to claim by contacting This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or calling us on 020 3982 0420, giving us your policy number. We will ask you to complete a claim form which we will then send to the underwriters for assessment of your claim.