Indemnity insurance for locums

Updated Sun, 14 Jun 2026

As a registered pharmacist, you are expected to have appropriate professional indemnity arrangements in place for the work you do. As a locum you usually arrange your own cover rather than relying on an employer's.

What it covers

Professional indemnity insurance helps protect you if a claim is made relating to your professional practice — for example, a dispensing error. Cover levels, exclusions and run-off terms vary between providers.

Things to check

• That the level of cover suits the work you actually do.
• Whether cover is claims-made or occurrence-based, and what happens to past work if you switch or stop (run-off cover).
• Whether your professional body membership already includes some cover.

Keep proof handy

Pharmacies may ask for evidence of your indemnity cover. Keep your certificate somewhere easy to reach (a document vault for this is planned for a later release).

Where to get proper advice

This is general information only. Confirm your obligations with the GPhC and choose cover with a regulated insurer or your professional body.