The importance of insurance with Nicola Bowtell

Everyone practising aesthetics needs insurance. With over 25 years of experience, Hamilton Fraser is the industry's leading provider of cosmetic insurance services and was the first to offer medical malpractice insurance specific to the cosmetic industry.

As a leader in the market, we attend key events and conferences throughout the year and share our knowledge with aesthetic practitioners. One of those is our own event, The Aesthetics Business Conference, and we are proud to have our Account Executive – Healthcare, Nicola Bowtell, as part of the faculty for 2024. Here, we caught up with her to find out what she will be speaking about and why events like ABC are so important.

Hamilton Fraser: Can you give us a brief overview of what your talk at ABC will cover?  

Nicola Bowtell: This session will cover how the right insurance can safeguard your business, protect you from potential risks, and keep your practice aligned with industry regulations. I will also highlight the key factors practitioners should consider when choosing insurance, helping you recognise the importance of comprehensive coverage for both routine treatments and unforeseen incidents.

Hamilton Fraser: Why do you think conferences like ABC are so valuable for delegates

Nicola Bowtell: Our conference is aimed at those looking to venture into aesthetics and will guide delegates through setting up their aesthetics business. It will also take existing aesthetic businesses to the next level by enabling delegates to learn from experts in the industry.

Hamilton Fraser: What are you most looking forward to about the event as a member of the Hamilton Fraser team?

Nicola Bowtell: Meeting new and existing clients and listening to the talks on having a work-life balance and keeping up to date with the legislation.

Hamilton Fraser: Why is it crucial for professionals in the aesthetics industry to have specialised insurance coverage?

Nicola Bowtell: Working closely with an insurance broker that specialises in the aesthetics industry will give you the peace of mind that we understand your business, and you will not have to spend time trying to explain what different treatments are and why different machines and products are used. We are one step ahead in recognising new technologies that enter the market, so you do not need to spend time trying to explain this to us and waiting weeks for an answer.

Hamilton Fraser: With 17 years of experience in medical malpractice insurance, how have you seen the industry evolve, particularly in terms of risk management for aesthetic treatments?

Nicola Bowtell: Although treatments and technologies have really advanced, the biggest thing I have noticed is having the correct clinic software in place to make sure that patient records are secure and consent forms and pre and post-procedure information do not get missed.

Hamilton Fraser: What do you believe sets Hamilton Fraser’s service apart in the competitive insurance landscape?

Nicola Bowtell: We were the first aesthetic insurance provider and were established over 25 years ago in 1996. We keep up to date with the ever-changing industry by working closely with training courses and partnerships.

Hamilton Fraser: How do you stay ahead of emerging trends and potential new risks in the aesthetics industry to offer the most relevant insurance solutions?

Nicola Bowtell: Manufacturers and distributors also work closely with us to make sure that we can provide insurance for their products that have not yet been launched so practitioners will not have to wait weeks/months for insurance acceptance.

Hamilton Fraser: What initially drew you to specialise in medical malpractice insurance within the aesthetics sector, and what keeps you motivated in this field?

Nicola Bowtell: It’s so interesting; you learn something new every day! There are different insurance products we offer at Hamilton Fraser, but I could never step away from the aesthetics. New treatments and technologies continue to amaze me!

Hamilton Fraser: As we look towards the future, what emerging risks should aesthetic professionals be aware of, and how is Hamilton Fraser preparing to meet these challenges?

Nicola Bowtell: It’s hard to predict, but from a policy perspective, make sure your training and CPD are up to date. Make sure training courses are reputable and moving toward JCCP approval. Make sure that you are abiding to the policy conditions within your policy so that you don’t unintentionally invalidate your policy. Patient safety is fundamental!

Hamilton Fraser: Finally, what advice would you offer to new aesthetics professionals about managing risk and choosing the right insurance protection?

Nicola Bowtell: Contact us to obtain a policy specific to your needs. Every practitioner has different requirements. Look into clinic software to make sure that your patient files are compliant. Make sure that all treatments, machines and turnover are listed correctly to avoid underinsurance. Never be afraid of saying no to a patient if it doesn’t feel right. If in doubt, call us!  See our interview with fellow ABC speaker, Dr Vincent Wong, who discusses how to assess and manage patients’ expectations,  select the right procedures to match patients’ needs, identify red flags an say ‘no’ with compassion.

Further reading

Check out our article on Why you need cosmetic insurance

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