A holiday over Christmas took an unexpected turn for one of our insured GPs after a swimming accident abroad resulted in a neck injury and ongoing nerve pain. The injury wasn’t permanent, but symptoms such as numbness and pins and needles meant a slow recovery that stretched well beyond the new year.
Impact on your practice
The accident left the GP unable to work and worse, unable to return home due to medical complications. While the GP focused on recovery, the extended absence left the practice short-staffed Without cover already arranged, this could easily have placed pressure on colleagues and disrupted routine services.
Insurance cover and claim outcome
As locum insurance was already in place, the situation did not escalate into a significant financial burden. The policy provided a weekly benefit of £825 to cover the insured’s absence following a four-week deferment period, supporting the practice during the ten-week period until the GP was fit to return.
The total claim amounted to £5,397.50 and was settled by 21st February 2025 ensuring that both the practice and the GP were fully supported throughout the recovery period.
What This Highlights
We often think of locum insurance as something you’ll “never really need.” But this case shows just how quickly an unexpected event, even something as simple as a swim gone wrong, can impact your ability to work.
Points worth reviewing on your own policy:
- Deferment period: When payments start.
- Daily benefit: Whether it reflects the cost of providing cover.
- Benefit period: How long support continues in slower recoveries.
- Record keeping: Clear medical notes help speed up claims.
Is Your Current Policy Still Right for You, or you need cover?
If you’re unsure whether your existing locum policy still fits your current circumstances, our team can review it with you. We’ll help ensure your income, your practice, and your peace of mind are properly covered, wherever life (or your next holiday) takes you…
Get in touch for a no-obligation review, sometimes small changes make a big difference when you unexpectedly need time away from work.
For an online quote, visit our Locum Insurance Quote Tool.
