As the in-house doctor at specialist Lloyd’s broker Servca, Dr Edwin Rajadurai heads up the firm’s international medical indemnity team, where he provides advice and support to both brokers and their doctor clients on medical malpractice.
Insurance Business spoke to the doctor about his unusual route into the industry, and the unique demands of a role that blends medicine with insurance.
How did you make your start in insurance/ How did you get to your current role?
My background is in medicine. Having qualified in 2011 with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree, I undertook various clinical attachments, predominantly in GP clinics.
In 2014, I was approached by the managing director of Servca, Nomaan Jamal, with an opportunity to assist in developing innovative healthcare products, schemes, and to build the firm’s international healthcare division. He wanted an individual with medical and life sciences knowledge that would allow effective communication and an empathetic approach to assisting doctors and other healthcare professionals with indemnity. After three years of constant learning – here I am as an associate director.
What does your role entail on a day-to-day basis?
A key part of my role as a qualified (but non-practicing) doctor, is acting as a consulting advisor within the medical spheres of insurance. My duties include managing the UK and international desk, which encompasses medical malpractice, financial institutions and professional indemnity. I am also involved in the facilitation of new business, partnerships and relationships for the company.
Also, as the primary broker for all healthcare risks at Servca, on a day-to-day basis I consult with doctors, nurses, medical professionals, entities and medical associations, discussing their needs for indemnity and coverage. I work with underwriters to rate and attain quotations for indemnity for all of the above; I produce risk management strategies to assist medical professionals to take accountability and raise awareness of risks in their professions, and I facilitate new relationships with partner brokers and associations as well as managing our international clients.
What are the most challenging aspects of your job?
With Servca’s growth in the medical malpractice sector, there is naturally an increased workload that accompanies the success. It’s not an easy task to maintain exemplary standards of service while experiencing rapid growth, but it is something I am proud to say our team does well.
The other challenge – although this is also the one that gives me the greatest level of satisfaction – is helping overwhelmed medical professionals secure the highest levels of indemnity where they may have struggled previously.
What has been your career highlight?
A definite highlight for me is to be able to help struggling doctors obtain indemnity. With the major defence unions increasingly rejecting memberships for doctors, through their right of discretionary cover, some doctors are left feeling alone and overwhelmed with the task of arranging indemnity. At Servca, we use all our efforts to make the transition smooth and efficient.
The second big highlight is travelling to parts of the world where I never thought I would do business, let alone setting up schemes and facilities for them. It’s a real sense of achievement when you add medical knowledge to the real broking world and it works.
What are your hobbies and interests outside of work?
Outside of work I love spending time with my partner – we often go away on walks and outdoor events with our French bulldog, Cinnamon. In all honesty, I am spectacularly boring! I enjoy reading, keeping fit and socialising.
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