UK Locum Optometrists: Have We Been Indoctrinated?

It’s time for us to talk about the hidden financial and clinical risks associated with our professional cover, especially for those of us working as locums. For years, many of us have followed the status quo regarding professional indemnity, but a closer look at the small print reveals a critical difference in claim models that every GOC registrant must understand.

The Claims-Made Trap vs. Occurrence-Based Cover

The Association of Optometrists (AOP) operates on a "claims-made basis" for its indemnity cover. This is a crucial distinction: if we intend to end our membership, our past work may not be covered in the future. This means we might not be protected years down the line when a claim actually arises.

To stay safe, this model requires careful planning and potential extra costs for "run-off" cover. For us, this represents a massive professional risk if we change practice or decide to cease our membership.

In contrast, the FODO model is based on having insurance at the time the clinical incident actually happened. This provides a more comprehensive indemnity insurance run-off period because we don't have to be active members at the moment the claim is made. Under this model, our protection is automatically in place.

The Financial Mandate: Prioritising Prudence

Beyond the legal technicalities, there is a clear argument for financial prudence: FODO is simply more cost-effective. | Membership Body | Annual Cost (Approx.) | Type of Cover |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| AOP (Full Membership) | £730 | Claims-made |

| FODO (Total Membership) | £476 | Occurrence-based |

The insurance component of FODO costs just £309. As locum optometrists, we can literally save ourselves hundreds of pounds every year while securing what appears to be a more comprehensive claims model.

Clinical vs. Legal Support

To be clear, we aren't suggesting that the AOP is "worse" across the board. In our experience, they often offer better "non-legal" support, providing excellent resources and community backing compared to FODO.

However, looking strictly at the numbers and the legal safety net, FODO offers more comprehensive cover at a lower cost. For the specific purpose of indemnity insurance, it makes a superior choice for our bottom line.

Time to Rethink the Status Quo

It is time for us to move past what we were told as students and start prioritising smarter clinical and financial risk management. Are we overlooking better, safer, and cheaper options for our professional indemnity?

We owe it to our careers—and our bank accounts—to look at the facts.