VDS alternatives..

RE: VDS alternatives..

Bob Russell — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 09:33:57 GMT

Realistic? Possibly. Sensible? No!

RE: VDS alternatives..

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 20:03:54 GMT

[quote user="Iain McAllister"]Are there any realistic alternatives to the VDS[/quote]

No.

RE: VDS alternatives..

Neil Wheadon — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 17:10:04 GMT

Interesting chat with my dentist this morning

He was thinking of changing because his indemnity company settled for anything and he thought that he could halve his premiums if he looked around for a company that were prepared to fight his corner a bit more, something I get the impression the VDS do

Neil

RE: VDS alternatives..

Bob Russell — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 16:57:50 GMT

I did get a call from another company (don't remember which) but they told me they had similar cover. I made it clear that I could not think of any circumstances that would make me change from VDS!

I feel they are 100% loyal to me and me, 100% loyal to them. That takes some doing!!

RE: VDS alternatives..

Niall Taylor — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 15:42:55 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]This is our mutual defence society not some profit making 'jump on the bandwagon' insurance agency.[/quote]

... and they represent and advise in the case of a complaint against you to the RCVS. No other insurance company I know of will do that.

Niall

RE: VDS alternatives..

Clive Ansell — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 14:42:50 GMT

[quote user="Neil Wheadon"]I'm also not sure if you are covered after you leave though this may be an 'old wives tale'[/quote]

Yes, if the claim relates to something you did or did not do while you were there. For example if a bitch spey unzips itself a week after the locum has finished you would still be covered if a civil claim for negligence was made against you.

You are not covered for is legal representation in the even of an RCVS investigation against you. So if the owners of the bitch spey cited above complained to the RCVS - you're on your own!

RE: VDS alternatives..

Neil Wheadon — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 14:11:49 GMT

[quote user="Robin Grimmer"]Are you a locum? If so, you will probably be covered on the practice you are working for. Worth checking[/quote]

Just be careful, if doing odd days your employer may not do it as promised

I'm also not sure if you are covered after you leave though this may be an 'old wives tale'

I have my own, much safer

Neil

RE: VDS alternatives..

Anthony Todd — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 13:40:21 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"]It is a real worry that an insurance company would consider it cheaper to pay a bit of compensation rather than fight our corner.[/quote]

Yes, they always do that, and the client thinks "they paid up therefore the vet was wrong!"

Significant evidence, I would have thought, if the client makes a complaint to the RCVS.

They operate pure financial expediency and are absolutely no help if you just have a "situation" to discuss or resolve.

RE: VDS alternatives..

Robin Grimmer — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 13:16:37 GMT

Are you a locum? If so, you will probably be covered on the practice you are working for. Worth checking .

RE: VDS alternatives..

Bob Russell — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 11:39:29 GMT

I would agree that VDS offer the safest haven! VDS know they have real brand loyalty so could charge significantly more and would keep most of the business.

It is a real worry that an insurance company would consider it cheaper to pay a bit of compensation rather than fight our corner. This may not involve admission of wrongdoing but it is the way that so many companies work in this claims culture world.

I also tend to speak to them a couple of times a year to nip irritating clients 'in the bud'. Only once had to rely on them for a genuine potential claim and this was converted to an accepting client rather than litigation thanks to their help. As they say 'this is an accepted complication of the procedure'!

Pay up, it is a bargain!!

RE: VDS alternatives..

Neil Wheadon — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 10:49:49 GMT

[quote user="Hannah Wynne Richards"]Don't even consider someone else.[/quote]

Agreed, why would you? I speak to them maybe twice a year and they are amazingly helpful

Consider this

OOH doctor £20.000/annum

Dentist (I have just asked him, that's an odd co-incidence) £8000

£500/annum - bargain

Neil

RE: VDS alternatives..

Hannah Wynne Richards — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 10:46:03 GMT

Don't even consider someone else. The other insurers will simply pay out if the claim is for less than the cost of defending in court. Your reputation will be in tatters, even though you did nothing wrong.

Wynne

RE: VDS alternatives..

Iain McAllister — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 10:04:24 GMT

Confirms what I was thinking - I have always found them very useful and as you said the premiums are small compared to our dental and medical colleagues - I see last year they increased the SA indemnity to 250K - was 125k the year before - is 250K overkill do you think...?

RE: VDS alternatives..

Michael Woodhouse — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 09:30:32 GMT

Honestly if they double it again - don't even think about it.

The clue is in the name, they will defend you if your actions are reasonable. A lesser insurer may roll over and pay out because its less financially risky for them. There have been a lot of big claims over the years settled at the door of the court. So, so helpful if you need advice.

RE: VDS alternatives..

Martin Atkinson — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 09:14:44 GMT

[quote user="Iain McAllister"]my premium took a 25% hike a few years ago and now sits at £500 for £250k small animal cover[/quote]A sign of the times Iain. That is still vanishingly small compared with most professions but what you have to ask yourself is: would you have confidence in another less experienced provider even if you could save a few quid? This is our mutual defence society not some profit making 'jump on the bandwagon' insurance agency.