The Medical Insurance Advisory Bureau (MIAB) has specialised in locum insurance since its inception, and has seen the market develop from a single expensive and inflexible policy, to a range of plans offering excellent cover and benefits cost-effectively.

First to develop plans which expanded on the narrow sickness and accident only cover of traditional plans, MIAB has developed policies for medical clients which include cover for maternity/paternity/adoption, jury service, suspension and even compassionate leave. As leaders in the field MIAB pioneered absence based plans which in general offer better covers and greater value for money than traditionally underwritten policies. To help you understand these plans we have compiled a list of frequently asked questions.

Absence based cover is underwritten based on absence history of an individual rather than traditional locum cover which are underwritten based on age, sex, smoker status and pre-existing conditions. The Key underwriting question for absence based cover asks "Has there been any absence of more than 10 consecutive days within the last 12 months. "

Traditional Locum plans will focus on the condition rather than the number of days absence. A pre-existing condition in most cases will be excluded irrelevant of the numbers of days absence in the last 12 months.

If you have not had any absence from the pre-existing condition and you are not aware that you are likely to be absent then automatic cover would be provided.

With absence based plans you are underwritten at the outset and cover is accepted and terms are then issued. Each year even if you make a claim then your cover will continue to be offered under the same terms and conditions. However the insurer may increase premiums based on claims of all its policyholders. As a practice you are not penalised for your individual claims history.

Simply renewable means the policy will continue to automatically renew under the same terms and conditions whereas reviewable the cover will be reviewed and maybe subject to change. All MIAB’s plans are annually renewable and with some offering the facility to guarantee premiums.

A guaranteed premium rate allows you to fix the premium for your locum insurance plan and regardless of the claims made against the book of locum business your premium will remain fixed at that rate.

There are 3 types of Locum Insurance policies in the market, Absence based, Personal Accident & Sickness and Permanent contracts. Personal Accident & Sickness plans generally do not offer guaranteed rates however permanent & absence based contracts do.

In a very similar way to absence based plans, you select the guaranteed term rate 2, 3 or 5 years and the rate remains for that period regardless of claims. However with a permanent contract this only guarantees the premium rate. Your total premium may still increase during the guarantee period, if for example you enter a new age band rating.

No permanent contracts are underwritten based on age, sex and smoker status. They also collate information based on any pre-existing conditions. Therefore the older you become the more expensive you are to insurer. Absence cover is based on absence history only the premium is set regardless of age.

You will find many additional features with an absence based plan which you would traditional not find in a permanent contract. A few examples of this are: Jury Service Cover, Maternity / Paternity & Adoption Leave cover, Compassionate Leave and Loyalty Bonuses. Also with Absence based plans they are no requirements for Locum receipts or sight of accounts. Moreover with absence based plans 100% of the benefit is payable in the event of a traditional claim, as opposed to a reduced amount based on net costs to the practice.

Yes, a permanent plan means the insurer is unable to remove cover at any time. They can cease to offer the policy but your cover will remain in force.

An insurer could decide at some time to pull out of the market. However MIAB has a panel of insurers and the ability to transfer your cover from one insurer to another. Our current locum Insurance providers are AXA life, The Royal Sun Alliance and The ACE European Group.

MIAB is able to not only offer a panel of recognised insurers in the market place but

MIAB is able to offer advice on all products across the range including Absence Based, Personal Accident & Sickness and Permanent. This is what makes MIAB unique in the market place, A panel of insurers and all contract advice.

Generally speaking for most clients the covers and premiums afforded by absence based products proves superior.

The premium could increase as a result of general increase in the insurer’s premium rates which are generally based on claims of all policyholders.

Yes at the end of the guaranteed rate period.

Individual claims do not affect premiums. Insurance rates generally are reviewed for all Locums cover (all policyholder claims) periodically and the rates determined by this review.

Another form is not required. However any request should be made clear in writing. If increased benefits are required please provide details of any absence details as per the proposal form.

No. MIAB will send you a letter requesting confirmation of any changes to your requirements. If any changes are required please forward details in writing.

The minimum weekly benefit is £200 per week. The maximum weekly benefit is £3,000 per week.