MEDEFEND

Defending doctors everyday

Discover MEDEFEND

Protecting medical professionals against medical indemnity claims

MEDEFEND is a holistic indemnity scheme that covers individual medical practitioners from all specialties against actual or alleged claims of negligence in Singapore.

The scheme is tailor-made to meet the long-term and evolving needs of medical practitioners. It provides access to some of the best medico-legal advisors available and a dedicated team manages the scheme to ensure all claims and notifications are handled competently and professionally.

Benefits of MEDEFEND

Loss and defense expenses for medical negligence claims
Vicarious Liability cover for employed nurses and locum doctors
Access to an experienced panel of medico-legal lawyers
Complimentary lifetime run-off cover for legally incapacitated or deceased doctors and their estate
Complimentary lifetime run-off cover for insured doctors who retire or cease practice upon completing 3 continuous policy years
Extension for loss of medical records and breach of personal data
Covers public relations and counselling costs
Legal representation costs in the event of a disciplinary enquiry
Worldwide cover for Good Samaritan acts and volunteer work

The above benefits are subject to terms and conditions of the policy or certificate.

Our Trusted Insurers

MEDEFEND is insured by Allied World Insurance and Chubb.

Allied World Insurance

A leading provider of innovative property, casualty and specialty insurance, and reinsurance solutions, Allied World (under Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, AG) is committed to delivering exceptional client service through its global network of offices and branches. Allied World’s insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries have been rated highly by reputable rating agencies indicating a strong financial standing and the ability to meet insurance obligations.

For more information about the company, please visit http://www.awac.com/

Chubb

As the world's largest publicly traded property and casualty insurer, Chubb Insurance has had a long-standing presence in Singapore since 1948. Chubb Insurance Singapore specializes in risk management and underwriting expertise across various major classes of general insurance including Property and Casualty, Marine, Liability, Financial Lines, and Group Personal Accident Insurance.

Chubb in Singapore has built strong client relationships by delivering responsive service, introducing innovative products, and establishing market leadership based on its financial strength. Please visit https://www2.chubb.com/sg-en/ for more information.

How to apply

For new applicants, please follow the instructions under How to Apply. To renew your policy, please follow the instructions under How to Renew.

Step 1: Go to https://online.medefend.com.sg and click 'Sign Up'.

Step 2: Register using a valid email address and fill in the details needed.

Step 3: An OKTA activation link will be sent to your email. Click it and follow the instructions.

Step 4: Select MEDEFEND, fill in information, submit Proposal Form and make payment.

Note: Doctors with claims history will be issued quotation separately upon Insurer’s Operators review.

Step 5: Receive your MEDEFEND Policy/Certificate within 3 working days.

How to renew

Step 1: Go to https://online.medefend.com.sg

Step 2: Login using your email address and password.

Step 3: Select SMS or Email authentication (If you have not completed your OKTA activation, please contact us at +65 6411 9002 for assistance).

Step 4: Click ‘Renew your policy now’.

FAQs

What is MEDEFEND?	Marsh Specialty’s MEDEFEND [formerly known as Medical Practitioners Indemnity (MPI)] is a medical malpractice insurance scheme to cover individual medical practitioners in Singapore. The insurance covers doctors and dentists from all specialties on a claims-made basis.
Who are the Insurers for MEDEFEND?	MEDEFEND is insured by: - Allied World Assurance Company - Chubb Insurance Singapore Ltd.
What is Marsh Specialty’s role in this scheme?	Marsh Specialty is the broker for MEDEFEND and is responsible for managing the administration (i.e. new applications, renewal applications, general inquiries etc.), broking (i.e. negotiating the terms and conditions of the policy) and assisting members with settlement of claims. In Asia, Marsh Specialty has a strong track record of managing medical malpractices. Our team will ensure that claims and notifications from members are handled competently and professionally.
Why choose MEDEFEND as my provider?	While there are currently a few medical indemnity providers in the Singapore market, MEDEFEND was developed by taking into account the challenges faced by the medical indemnity market. MEDEFEND seeks to provide a long-term, Singapore-based solution to medical practitioners. Marsh Specialty, working with our insurance partners, will be delivering an insurance solution to the medical industry in Singapore that will be a long-term and sustainable product, designed to meet the enduring needs of the whole profession. Insurance coverage is just the beginning. As MEDEFEND evolves we will be including value added services to medical practitioners, including advice on claims management, risk management and various articles, case studies and tips to assist medical practitioners in the course of their practice.
How does this insurance policy operate?	The MEDEFEND policy covers claims made against you during the policy period, as long as the claim was notified to the insurers during the same period. Therefore, you must notify Marsh Specialty as soon as reasonably practicable after you first became aware of a claim or investigation is made against you, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the policy.
What am I covered for?	The policy’s primary objective is to pay for legal defence costs (both from alleged or actual claims for medical negligence) and also awards for damages. Cover for claims relating to defamation is also built into the wording. The policy also provides cover for your legal costs for investigations in relation to medical council inquiries, coroner’s inquests etc.
Am I covered for overseas work?	The main purpose of this policy is to cover services provided in Singapore. However, the policy will cover humanitarian missions, research, training and similar activities conducted overseas – this coverage is capped at 60 days within a 12-month insurance period.
Am I covered for Good Samaritan acts?	Yes. The policy provides cover for Good Samaritan acts which is defined as the provision, without fee or reward, of first aid services outside of your workplace (i.e. at the scene of an emergency, accident or disaster.
Am I covered if I receive a claim alleging negligence due to the influence of alcohol or drugs?	The policy excludes cover for negligence arising from the use of alcohol or drugs. Nonetheless, it will cover for defence costs provided you are innocent of such allegations.
Does the policy provide cover for locum work? Am I covered in the event my nurse makes a mistake and I am held vicariously liable?	Yes, you are covered under MEDEFEND, subject to the terms & conditions of the policy.
Will I still be covered after I retire from medical practice?	An unlimited extended reporting period will be extended in the event of retirement if you have been insured under this scheme for at least 3 consecutive years.
Is my Estate covered in the event I pass away or become legally incapacitated and my estate is sued for my past medical work?	Yes. Upon death or legal incapacitation, the policy will continue to provide cover for claims made against your estate/heirs/legal representatives arising from medical services previously provided by you.
What additional benefits does the policy provide me?	Medical Data Protection – There is an extension for legal defence costs and awards for damages arising from loss of records and data or a medical data protection claim (e.g. infringement of the Personal Data Protection Act 2012 and similar breaches). Advancement of Defence Costs – The policy advances defence costs, even for acts that are not covered by the policy (e.g. fraudulent and dishonest acts, sexual abuse). Defence costs will continue to be advanced until a final and binding adjudication has been issued.
If I switch from indemnity providers will my past work be covered? And is it free?	If your existing indemnity cover is provided on an occurrence basis, your MEDEFEND policy will only cover your present and future work. However, if your existing indemnity cover is provided on a claims-made basis, your MEDEFEND policy will provide the same amount of retroactive cover.
Do you issue individual Policy?	Yes, policies under MEDEFEND are issued on an individual practitioner basis. Each successful applicant will be issued his/her own policy schedule.

For Medefend queries:

8 Marina View,

#09-09 Asia Square Tower 1

Singapore 018960

Phone: +65 6411 9002

Email: medefend.sg@marsh.com