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How professional indemnity insurance benefits dentists
A professional indemnity insurance policy shields a dentist’s assets in the event of a claim, ensuring that he or she is able to continue practicing. It also ensures against civil liability, helping to cover amounts awarded to a claimant by a civil court. This can also include situations when negligence has not played a part and claims derive from strict accountability.
As a condition of registration, dental practitioners in Australia are required to take out a minimum standard of professional indemnity insurance. As a compulsory form of insurance, professional indemnity cover protects dentists against financial loss and injury or damage arising from a mistake or failure with negligence. In addition to claims stemming from negligent acts, a policy may cover a dentist for the following:
- Dishonesty
- Defamation
- Breach of confidence
- Irrecoverable fees
- Computer virus transmission
- Public liability
- Legal expenses
Professional indemnity insurance can be crucial from a client’s point of view also, providing an alternative option in extraordinary circumstances. In these cases, a dentist’s professional cover can ensure that clients are not left open to mistakes or treatment failures that are ineligible for direct compensation. A client can claim in the case of loss, damage or injury as a result of a dentist’s negligence or direct responsibility.
Dental practitioners in Australia have a choice of a number of regulated insurers, and the National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA) can help in finding a qualified insurance broker in your local area. Policies with adequate, affordable cover are available with a range of different premium amounts to suit practitioners in different circumstances, with up to $10million cover per policy.
If you are a dental practitioner seeking insurance that will best cover you in the unfortunate event of a claim for injury or property damage, discuss options with an experienced, qualified broker to ensure that you aren’t without the right protection when the unexpected occurs.
