As increased patient awareness and the rise of social media have made it easier to lodge complaints against doctors, the need for medical practitioners to take out indemnity insurance is on the rise in India. According to IndiQube, insurance awareness among doctors has grown since the Covid-19 pandemic began, and its range of indemnity insurance policies purchased by medical personnel has risen just under fivefold in the past year. Indemnity insurance covers errors, omissions, and acts of negligence.

Medical malpractice claims in India have become increasingly common over the last decade with many doctors being sued for negligence, wrong diagnoses, or medical errors that have led to patient pain, suffering, or even death. Lawyers have taken up medical malpractice cases, with several such cases being recorded in courts countrywide.

Indemnity insurance is not a luxury, but a fundamental requirement for medical practitioners, providing a safety net against the financial and reputation costs of lawsuits and taking care of legal fees, compensation, or damages. Five tips for purchasing indemnity insurance include choosing the right policy that provides sufficient coverage corresponding to the specific risks related to each medical specialty, reading the policy terms and conditions, assessing policy limits, comparing premium rates between insurers, and selecting an insurer that specializes in covering medical professionals.