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Aipedia: Optometrists and opticians
Optical indemnity usually responds to a claim involving an AI-assisted finding, because the claim is normally framed as one about the registrant's professional judgement, but it depends on the wording. The gaps tend to sit between individual, employer, chain and supplier arrangements rather than in the core cover.
Part of: AI in Optometrists and opticians
In short
GOC Standard 12.2 requires registrants to hold adequate professional indemnity, keep cover continuous (12.2.3) and arrange run-off for complaints received after practice ends (12.2.4); no minimum limit is set. Neither the GOC nor the College of Optometrists has published anything on AI and indemnity. Because Standard 7.8 keeps professional judgement with the registrant, AI-related clinical claims are likely to look like ordinary negligence claims, and policies commonly respond subject to their terms. Risks arise where a locum uses a chain's AI tools, where a software failure or data breach is excluded, or where AI use was never disclosed.
Standard 12.2 of the GOC Standards of Practice says registrants must "have adequate professional indemnity insurance and only work in practices that have adequate public liability insurance". The guidance under it expects cover to be continuous (12.2.3) and to include run-off for complaints received after you stop practising (12.2.4). The standards do not set a minimum limit, so what is adequate depends on your work.
There is no GOC or College statement on AI and indemnity. Eyewire reported that the College's new AI section, due in winter 2026, will address who is accountable for clinical decisions when AI tools are used. In the government's response to the National Commission on AI in healthcare, NHS England and NHS Resolution said they will continue to progress guidance on indemnity.
A patient who suffers late diagnosis or poor advice usually claims against the optometrist or the practice, not the software supplier. Because Standard 7.8 requires professional judgement on technology-generated data, the claim is normally framed as a failure of that judgement. Optical PI policies may respond to such claims in the usual way, subject to their terms, limits and excess.
Illustrative scenario: a locum optometrist works a Saturday at a chain store and uses its OCT system with AI analysis. A missed finding leads to a claim naming the locum and the chain. The locum's own policy responds to their professional judgement. The chain's policy responds to the business. Both insurers may ask whether the AI tool was configured correctly and who chose it, and neither wants to pay for the other's share.
| Situation | Possible gap |
|---|---|
| Employed optometrist | Employer cover may protect the business but not your individual registration or work elsewhere |
| Locum using a chain's AI tools | Your policy may not cover a tool you did not choose; the chain's policy may not cover you |
| Software malfunction | Some wordings exclude losses caused by system or software failure |
| Data breach via a cloud AI tool | Often outside clinical PI; may need cyber cover |
| Chatbots and recall systems | A business system failure may not fall on an individual policy |
| Retirement or career break | Late claims need run-off under 12.2.4 |
Locums should read our guide to PI for locum professionals and the run-off cover explainer. Data issues are covered in cyber insurance and AI risks.
Insurers may ask about activities, and AI changes how some of them are done. It is usually sensible to disclose:
Failing to disclose a material change can give an insurer grounds to limit cover, depending on the policy and the circumstances. See also the general guide to PI and AI mistakes.
These steps reduce the risk:
Related: GOC and College AI guidance, AI OCT analysis, AI chatbots and recalls, AI dispensing and the optical AI hub.
Apex arranges PI for optometrists, dispensing opticians, locums and optical businesses. A broker reviews how your policy treats AI-assisted work and where individual and practice cover meet; see our optometrist PI guide.
Usually, because claims involving AI are normally treated as claims about your professional judgement. It depends on the policy wording, so check for exclusions relating to software, technology or data, and tell your insurer which tools you use.
The GOC Standards of Practice require adequate professional indemnity, continuous cover and run-off cover, but they do not set a minimum limit. What is adequate depends on your activities.
Not necessarily. The chain's policy may protect the business rather than you, and your own policy should respond to your professional judgement. Confirm the position in writing with the chain and your insurer before you start.
Standard 12.2.4 expects run-off for complaints received after you stop practising. Late-diagnosis claims can arrive years after an examination, whether or not AI was involved, so run-off matters when you retire or take a break.
Tell us about your firm and the work you do. A broker will review how your current PI treats AI-assisted work, or arrange new cover. No fee for a quote. Or call 0117 325 0027.
Start a PI quote Request a callbackApex Insurance Brokers Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales, company number 07014570. This page is general information about how AI is used in the profession and how insurance may respond. It is not legal, regulatory or insurance advice on your circumstances, and it does not guarantee that cover will be available or on what terms.
