Civil liability insurance is compulsory for practising medicine in the private sector in Spain, and in the field of cosmetic medicine, it is also the factor that determines whether a complication becomes a clinical issue or a financial one. Many doctors practise under their professional body’s group policy or a general policy that does not cover specific cosmetic treatments, and only realise this when the first claim is made. This guide explains what your policy should cover, which clauses to check and how to document your practice to ensure the insurance provider honours the claim.
Why a standard policy may not be enough
Group policies taken out by professional bodies and many individual policies cover general medical practice, but exclude or restrict cosmetic medicine, or cover only certain treatments. Some expressly exclude specific techniques, treatments using technologies (laser, radiofrequency, ultrasound), minor surgical procedures or the use of products outside their authorised indications. Before treating your first patient, ask your insurer in writing to confirm that the treatments you are going to carry out are covered.
What it should cover
- Botulinum toxin injections and hyaluronic acid fillers, and their complications (including vascular occlusion and its sequelae).
- Thread lifts, biostimulators, mesotherapy, chemical peels and any other techniques you practise – please list them.
- Technologies: laser, pulsed light, radiofrequency, focused ultrasound, cryolipolysis – if you use them.
- Legal defence and bail, in both civil and criminal proceedings.
- Non-pecuniary damages and cosmetic harm, which form the basis of many compensation claims in the field of cosmetic medicine.
- Responsibility for the staff under your supervision and, if you are the owner of a centre, operational responsibility.
- Data protection and management of medical records, if provided by the insurer.
Clauses worth reading twice
- Limit per claim and annual limit. In cosmetic medicine, claims for permanent cosmetic damage can reach high figures; consider limits above the minimum.
- Excess: the amount you pay for each claim.
- Time frame: occurrence-based policies versus claims-made policies. With the latter, check the retroactive period and the coverage that follows if you cease practising or switch insurers.
- Geographical scope: if you treat foreign patients or practise in another country, please check that the cover extends to claims made outside Spain.
- Exclusions apply where products are used in a manner not specified in the technical data sheet or which do not bear the CE mark, and where treatments are carried out at centres without health authorisation.
- Obligation to report the claim in good time and not to admit liability without the insurer’s consent.
What the insurer will ask you for when you make a claim
A complete medical history, specific informed consent for the treatment, before-and-after photographs, the product’s registration details including name and batch number, and evidence that the centre was authorised and that the product was purchased from an authorised distributor. If any of these elements are missing, the defence becomes more complicated and, in some cases, the policy may not provide cover. That is why insurance is complemented by proper documentation: check out our guide on the informed consent in cosmetic medicine and that of purchasing equipment from authorised distributors.
If you rent a surgery or work at a clinic
Your insurance covers your work as a doctor; the centre’s insurance covers the running of the centre. When you work at a private practice Or, if you’re working as a contractor, ask for a copy of the centre’s insurance policy and make it clear in the contract how liability is shared. Don’t assume that the centre’s insurance policy covers you; in most cases, it doesn’t.
How much does it cost?
The premium depends on the treatments covered, the limits, the excess, your history and whether you have made any claims. Policies specifically for cosmetic medicine with adequate limits are usually considerably more expensive than general cover, and this is a fixed cost that you should include in your calculation of consultation fees. Ask for at least two quotes with the same list of treatments and compare the exclusions, not just the price.
What to do today
- Please provide a detailed list of the treatments you currently offer or intend to offer.
- Send it to your insurer and ask for written confirmation of cover, including limits and exclusions.
- If something isn’t covered, either extend your policy or don’t go ahead with that treatment.
- Keep the policy and the confirmation with your professional documents.
- Check your coverage every time you introduce a new technique.
Compare with other doctors
Knowing which insurers are reliable and which clauses have caused problems is the sort of information that is passed on between colleagues and is rarely set out in writing. In the Medars Lounge, verified doctors share this sort of experience. Basic membership is free for life and is activated once your professional registration has been verified; no membership card is required. Request access.
Related guides
- Informed consent in aesthetic medicine: what it should include
- Requirements for setting up a cosmetic medicine practice in Spain
- Advertising in aesthetic medicine: what the regulations permit and what they prohibit
- Botulinum toxin training for doctors: what a reputable course should include
Continue exploring Medars
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