Protection after you stop practising — why run-off matters on claims-made medical indemnity policies.
Run-off cover protects you for a limited period after you have left the medical field, in case a former patient makes a claim against you. In most situations, medical malpractice insurance ends when you exit the profession. Run-off is used as a precautionary measure so you still have cover if a former action, event or patient alleges malpractice against you.
If your indemnity is on a claims-made basis rather than claims occurring, you will typically need run-off cover when your main policy ends — unless your policy wording sets out specific circumstances where it is not required. Claims-made cover responds to claims notified during the policy period (and any run-off period), not simply to when treatment took place.
If you are unsure of your current indemnity arrangements, contact your existing indemnity provider first. You can also read our guide on claims made v claims occurring for how notification timing affects cover.
When you retire or stop trading as a medical professional, your standard policy will not usually continue to respond to new notifications about past work. Run-off cover bridges that gap for a defined period, subject to your insurer’s terms and premium.
MMI 4u provides medical indemnity on a claims-made basis, which means the policy responds to claims first made against you and notified to insurers during the period of insurance and any run-off period. Speak to one of our advisors before you change role, reduce your practice or retire so we can discuss run-off and your schedule.
If you switch positions or are promoted within the medical community, we may need to revisit your policy and confirm cover is still adequate. If you exit the medical field, you may need run-off insurance cover. It is good practice to notify your agent before deciding on any changes.
Moving from an MDO or another insurer without arranging appropriate run-off or replacement cover can leave you exposed for claims notified after your old policy ends.
Run-off is arranged case by case — premiums and periods depend on your profession, claims history and the terms on your schedule. Contact us on 01773 810072 or use our contact form and we will talk through your situation.
For wider context on indemnity, see what is indemnity insurance and our medical malpractice FAQs.
While care has been taken in the production of this article and the information contained therein has been obtained from sources that MMI 4u considers to be reliable, MMI 4u does not warrant, represent or guarantee the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or fitness for any purpose of the article or any part thereof and can not be held liable for any loss incurred by any person relying on it in any way whatsoever. Therefore the reader shall in any case be entirely responsible for the use to which this article is applied.