Malpractice Insurance in the Gulf: Claims-Made vs Occurrence, Limits & Settings for Western-Trained Clinicians

Core concepts

• Occurrence policy: covers incidents that occur during the policy period, even if claimed later.

• Claims-made policy: covers claims made while the policy is active; you need tail/run-off to protect after you leave.

• Limits: per-claim and aggregate (e.g., AED/SAR/QAR or USD amounts).

• Named insured: you personally, and the facility; check that your role title matches your licence/privileges.

• Settings: the locations where cover applies—list them explicitly if you practise beyond hospital walls.

Recommended structure (signals, not promises)

• Doctors: Per-claim limit that matches procedural risk; ensure sedation/endoscopy/ICU if applicable.

• Nurses: Include high-risk medication administration, device care, paeds dosing; list ICU/oncology if relevant.

• Physiotherapists: Name MSK/neuro/cardioresp work; include domiciliary rehab if home/hotel sessions expected.

• Settings: hospital, clinic, home/hotel/yacht if any UHNWI care is planned.

• Claims-made: secure tail equal to the local statute (often 3–5+ years). If employer provides claims-made, negotiate employer-funded tail on exit.

Aligning licence, privileges and insurance (the triangle)

1. Title: Offer letter role → matches regulator category.

2. Privileges: Procedures/devices/settings on committee list.

3. Insurance: Policy schedule names the same settings/scope.
   Any mismatch delays onboarding—or worse, invalidates cover.

Offer-stage due diligence (copy/paste)

• Policy type (occurrence vs claims-made) and limits (per-claim/aggregate).

• Named insured includes you (full legal name, all middle names) and the facility.

• Settings listed: hospital, clinic, home, hotel, yacht (as applicable).

• Scope endorsements: chemo/admin, sedation support, central-line care, ICU, paeds, endoscopy, domiciliary rehab, etc.

• Tail/run-off: paid by whom, duration, written confirmation on exit.

• Incident reporting window and contact; language on near-miss vs claim.

• Policy start date aligned with your first privileged shift.

UHNWI/home-care nuance

• Add a domiciliary rider naming home/hotel/yacht and transport between sites.

• Define medication custody (ordering, storage, transport); align with SOPs.

• Escalation to named medical lead and receiving hospital documented.

What “good” looks like in the schedule

• Your passport-exact name and role title.

• Privilege-matching wording: “in-patient and out-patient services including [unit/device/procedure] within granted privileges.”

• Settings line: “coverage applies within licensed facility and domiciliary environments (home/hotel/yacht) as endorsed.”

• Tail clause: “run-off cover of X years provided by employer upon termination/transfer.”

Common pitfalls—and calm fixes

• Scope broader than policy → add endorsements before first shift.

• Home-care assumed → not covered unless named. Add domiciliary rider.

• Claims-made without tail → negotiate written tail provision or buy personal run-off.

• Name mismatch (missing middle names) → request corrected certificate.

• Start date gap → move orientation that involves clinical acts until policy activates.

Renewal & transfer checklist

• Diary renewal 30–60 days ahead; confirm no lapse.

• On employer change, request loss runs and a privilege history letter.

• Ensure new policy mirrors scope/settings; confirm tail on the old one.

Fast self-audit (10 minutes)

• Do my privileges mention any procedures/settings not on the policy?

• Is home/hotel/yacht clearly printed?

• Do I have written confirmation of tail if claims-made?

• Are limits consistent with my unit’s risk profile?

• Does my legal name appear exactly as in my passport?

Short FAQs