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Insurance Cover Questions Asked

1. Why do I need a professional indemnity policy? Professional Indemnity policies provide cover to professionals that offer advice or professional services to the public.  Clients that seek advice from professionals expect the advice they are given to be accurate and appropriate for their needs.  If it is not, the client may hold the professional…

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Understanding VAT & How To Save On Your MedMal Insurance Premium

VAT explained Value Added Tax (VAT) is a secondary tax that is charged on the consumption of goods and services in the economy. In the context of medical practitioners, VAT is charged on the consumption of your services (the provision of healthcare). This means that a portion of your revenue is paid to SARS as…

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All you need to know about a ‘Claims-Made’ Policy

There are two key features of a claims-made policy. Firstly, the policy limits coverage to claims first made during the policy period. A claim is typically “made” on the date that you notify your broker or the Insurer. A claim made before the policy inception date or after the expiration date is not covered unless…

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What is a reportable circumstance and what is a claim?

A reportable circumstance is any occasion when the Insured first becomes aware of any of the following: an intimation of a possible claim for damages, including correspondence intimating that the Insured was at fault in relation to performing any service or is liable for costs incurred or losses suffered by a third party; or the…

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Why the need for TOP UP insurance?

For law firms and sole practitioners alike, it is critical that the limit of cover offered under your Professional Indemnity insurance policy is adequate for your business. We strongly recommend you review your limit to determine whether an increase in cover, beyond what may be offered by your professional indemnity fund. For attorneys this is…

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Contemplating an application for the sequestration of a debtor’s estate in terms of the Insolvency Act?

An application may be launched in the High Court to sequestrate the estate of the insolvent if the creditor has a claim of R 1000 or more against the debtor. This figure hasn’t been increased for some time since the enactment of the Insolvency Act in 1936. However we can imagine only those persons with…

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How Bond Claims Work

Should you suspect a loss has been suffered by an estate at the hands of a trustee / liquidator/ executor (the incumbent named on the bond of security), you should proceed to investigate it. Once your investigation is complete, you need to notify the Master of your investigations and be able to substantiate the loss…

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What is Medical Negligence?

Medical means science, the practice of medicine or medical examination to assess a person’s state of physical health or fitness. Negligence means failure to take proper care or breach of a duty of care which results in damages When you put these terms together medical negligence – it is the act or omission by a medical professional that deviates from…

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Why Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Need Medical Malpractice Insurance

Heavy workloads and frivolous claims, has changed what was once a rewarding career of helping women and saving babies. Many obstetricians and gynaecologists say litigation and the profession’s unprofitability when it comes to premiums is what is deterring them from practising. The current claims climate has unfortunate consequences for the society,  poor maternal outcomes and a shortage…

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Why do I need professional indemnity insurance as a medical practitioner?

Regulations published on 30 August 2010 under the Health Professions Act require private health practitioners practising for their own account to obtain professional indemnity insurance. The insurance must be obtained from an insurer registered under the Short-term Insurance Act. SHACKLETON is a brokerage specialising in the arranging of medical malpractice professional indemnity cover for health…

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Curators Appointed in Asset Forfeiture Matters Explained

The National Director of Public Prosecutions may in terms of the Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998 Act apply to court for an order: a) restraining any person from dealing with assets which are suspected to have been acquired in connection with a crime; and b) preserving the assets until the investigation has been finalised.…

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When to Notify Your Insurer of a Claim Against Your Professional Indemnity Policy?

In almost all insurance policies, the policy will contain a clause that requires notice of an event which could give rise to a claim or an actual claim to be given ‘immediately’ or as soon as possible’, but not later than 30 days.  These clauses are usually inserted under the claims clause and /or in…

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