In the fast-paced world of healthcare, it’s easy for clinicians to rely on auto-renewals when it comes to their indemnity cover. After all, renewing automatically saves time and ensures ongoing protection — or does it?

While automatic renewal may appear convenient, it can mask a critical issue – your indemnity might no longer reflect your current practice. This oversight can carry serious consequences, from invalid cover to denied claims, and many clinicians may not even realise it.

Has your practice changed?

Your professional circumstances can evolve significantly over time. You might start working at a new clinic, take on additional responsibilities, reduce your hours, or even change your contact details. These seemingly minor changes can affect the level and type of indemnity cover you require.

However, clinicians who allow their cover to auto-renew year after year often don’t update these changes. Why? Because the renewal process doesn’t always prompt a thorough review. In many cases, members don’t see their Statement of Fact (the document confirming the details their policy is based on) until after their renewal has already taken place.

Without reviewing this document in advance, you may be unaware of inaccuracies or outdated information that could jeopardise your protection.

What’s at stake?

Failing to update your details may seem harmless, but it can lead to significant consequences. If your provider doesn’t have accurate information on file, you could face:

  • Inadequate indemnity levels that don’t reflect your current risk profile.
  • Cancelled membership due to misrepresentation or non-disclosure.
  • Claims being denied, leaving you personally liable for legal costs or compensation.

We’ve found that many clinicians don’t realise they need to update their information, until we ask. If your provider isn’t proactively reviewing your file, it’s likely that key details remain outdated.

Are you in control of your cover?

Auto-renewals may also lead to clinicians being unaware of their actual renewal date, missing the opportunity to make informed decisions about their indemnity. Without a reminder to check in, it’s easy to assume everything is in order, until it’s not.

Staying informed about your indemnity means:

  • Reviewing your Statement of Fact annually
  • Updating any changes in your professional or personal circumstances
  • Confirming your cover still aligns with your current scope of practice
  • Knowing when your renewal date is approaching

Don’t let convenience compromise confidence

Auto-renewing your indemnity might seem like the easiest option, but it can leave you exposed. A few minutes spent reviewing your details each year could save you from significant risk down the line.

Take control. Ask the right questions. Ensure your indemnity is keeping pace with your professional journey, not just coasting along behind it.

For more information about THEMIS Clinical Defence, click here.