Professional Indemnity Insurance

Professional indemnity is crucial for referral surgeries due to the complex nature of procedures performed. Coverage should include:

• Clinical negligence claims from surgical complications
• Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis claims
• Anesthetic complications and adverse reactions
• Post-operative care issues
• Failure to refer cases appropriately
• Breach of duty of care claims
• Defense costs for regulatory investigations
• Locum and temporary staff coverage

Given the high-value cases handled, professional indemnity limits should typically range from £2-10 million, significantly higher than general practice requirements.

Public Liability Insurance

Referral surgeries face unique public liability exposures:

• Slip and fall accidents in waiting areas and treatment rooms
• Injuries from animals during visits
• Property damage from escaped or distressed animals
• Visitor injuries during facility tours or educational events
• Accidents involving delivery personnel and contractors
• Car park incidents and vehicle damage

Coverage should extend to all areas of the practice including specialized treatment rooms, recovery areas, and outdoor spaces.

Employers' Liability Insurance

With specialized staff and complex procedures, employers' liability coverage must address:

• Injuries from handling large or aggressive animals
• Exposure to radiation from diagnostic equipment
• Chemical exposure from anesthetics and medications
• Repetitive strain injuries from surgical procedures
• Stress-related illnesses from high-pressure work environment
• Needle stick injuries and disease transmission
• Lifting injuries from moving heavy equipment or animals

Equipment and Technology Insurance

Referral surgeries rely heavily on expensive specialized equipment:

• MRI and CT scanning equipment (often worth £500,000+)
• Surgical lasers and microsurgery equipment
• Anesthetic machines and monitoring equipment
• Laboratory and diagnostic equipment
• Computer systems and practice management software
• Backup power systems and generators
• Mobile equipment for house calls

Coverage should include breakdown, accidental damage, theft, and business interruption resulting from equipment failure.

Business Interruption Insurance

Given the critical nature of referral services, business interruption coverage is vital:

• Loss of income from equipment breakdown
• Additional expenses for emergency referrals to other facilities
• Costs of relocating critical patients
• Staff wages during closure periods
• Alternative accommodation costs for boarding patients
• Marketing costs to rebuild client relationships
• Loss of reputation and future referrals

Stock and Drugs Coverage

Referral practices maintain significant drug and supply inventories:

• Specialized surgical supplies and implants
• High-value medications and controlled substances
• Blood products and plasma
• Specialized feeds and dietary supplements
• Anesthetic gases and oxygen supplies
• Refrigerated storage requirements

Coverage should include temperature deviation, power failure, and contamination risks.

Cyber Insurance

Modern referral practices are increasingly digital, requiring cyber protection:

• Patient record security and GDPR compliance
• Ransomware attacks on practice management systems
• Data breaches involving client and patient information
• Business interruption from cyber attacks
• Regulatory fines and penalties
• Credit monitoring for affected clients
• Public relations costs following data breaches