Have you seen the ‘Don’t pay a premium’ campaign being run by Which? 

It was launched in 2014 with an aim to get insurers to show the previous year’s premium on renewal documents, which 85% of consumers think would be useful.

As a result, the ABI announced recently that they are in talks with the FCA. They're calling for renewal documents to include the premium that the customer started the year paying, shown alongside the renewal quote for easy comparison.

The aim here is to make it abundantly clear to clients whether their renewal premium has increased and, if so, by how much. We see this as a very welcome initiative, because it makes our premiums transparent. Sadly for the insurance industry 68% of consumers believe it will prompt them to look around for a better deal, so there is a clear assumption that they expect renewal premiums to rise.

Although this initiative applies only to motor and home insurance, we think it should apply to locum insurance too. We have nothing to hide.

For the 6th year running, 100% of our renewing customers have paid the same or less for their insurance than they did the previous year. That’s why we already show last year’s premium on our renewal documents. Customer retention should be a priority for insurers because loyalty is a key part of delivering outstanding customer service.

We challenge you to find another locum insurance provider that does the same!
 
Please call me personally if you want to discuss your situation on 023 8051 3286.

The opinions presented in this blog are solely those of the author on behalf of Practice Cover Limited and they do not constitute individual advice. Practice Cover is a trading name of Practice Cover Limited and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

The professional medical industry has received a much needed boost thanks to the announcement that Pracice Cover will not increase locum insurance premiums next year.

The news comes just one month after the Government increased the standard rate of insurance premium tax by more than 50%.

Lynda Cox, Director at Practice Cover, which works directly with clients and third-party insurance brokers and IFAs stated: “The industry has taken a real blow with the sudden increase in IPT which will cause many businesses to revisit their insurance budgeting. At Practice Cover we have designed our insurance products in-house and year on year they perform extremely well. This has helped us to position the business at the forefront of the locum insurance sector.

“This has contributed to our underwriters’ confidence to agree the same rates for the sixth year running which is a phenomenal achievement in this current marketplace. Our customers know they can rely on a quality product and service that is cost efficient and, importantly, will not yoyo in price despite what is happening in the industry or even if they have already made a claim.

“Not only can they renew at the same premium, we apply no claims discount that can reduce their outlay.”

The Southampton-based business specialises in financially protecting GPs, dentists, vets, opticians and allied health professionals should they suffer an illness or accident, with the added service of tailoring packages to cover jury service, suspension, maternity or paternity leave.

Partnering with Alpha Underwriting, a market-leading underwriting agency that specialises in placing accident, health and travel insurance at Lloyd’s, Practice Cover expects their confirmation of static rates to attract more IFA business, which already accounts for more than 50% of their premium income.

How important should these be when you’re choosing your locum insurance?

How can you tell if the company you’re proposing to use is a good bet?

Loss ratios

In simple terms, this is ‘money in vs money out’: how much does the underwriter receive in premiums (and pay in operating expenses) compared with what has been paid out in claims. It’s one measure – a very important one – of the profitability of the business. It should be reviewed dynamically to keep tabs on what constitutes good business. ‘Good business’ doesn’t mean policies never paying out claims; it means charging the right premium rates so that all genuine claims are paid swiftly and with no quibbling.

An individual client could be forgiven for thinking ‘as long as my claim is paid I don’t give a hoot’.

Well that’s the rub.

Read more: Stability Consistency Sustainability Longevity (Part 2)

How important should these be when you’re choosing your locum insurance?

How can you tell if the company you’re proposing to use is a good bet?

Premiums

How often – in the past few years – have the company’s premium rates changed?

Some companies charge according to the age of the client and some don’t. Due to EU rules, companies are not allowed to charge according to sex. Some will also adjust premiums when a policy has been underwritten.

This is all very interesting (or not, depending on your pov) but it’s not the nub of the issue. The question should be ‘over the past few years when did you change your premium rates and by how much did they rise/fall?’

Read more: Stability Consistency Sustainability Longevity (Part 1)

A report by the Medical Protection Society (MPS) recently shed some dark light on mental health issued suffered by medical professionals.

MPS surveyed 600 doctors in the UK and reported that an incredible 85% of doctors reported experiencing mental health issues at some point in their career. Of the 600, 32% had experienced depression and 13% suicidal thoughts.

Mental health, of course, is not as visible as broken legs and diagnoses of cancer or pneumonia. So, where do GPs and staff covered by a Practice Cover locum insurance policy stand?

Read more: Good mental health. We are listening.

We love to scour the social-mediasphere for titbits and came across this tweet from @Pickletray – a Twitterer with lots to say about GP issues.

Will your locum insurance cover your weekends? Thought not. Another reason why GP partners will soon be extinct. #gpnewdeal #GPNoDeal

What Pickletray is probably getting at is the GPs who will be offered a ‘new deal’ for adopting 7–day working. Will their locum insurance cover them for weekend working?

Read more: Is your locum insurance something for the weekend?