Looking for Medical Malpractice Insurance?
Protect your medical career and practice with comprehensive malpractice insurance from Harper. We provide tailored coverage for physicians, surgeons, nurses, and healthcare providers—shielding you from negligence claims, legal defense costs, and settlements so you can focus on patient care.
What is Medical Malpractice Insurance?
Medical malpractice insurance is a specialized form of professional liability coverage designed specifically for healthcare providers. It protects medical professionals when patients allege negligence, errors, misdiagnosis, surgical mistakes, or failure to provide appropriate treatment. This coverage is essential because even highly skilled practitioners face lawsuits—the average malpractice claim costs over $300,000 to defend and settle. Medical malpractice insurance covers:
Legal Defense Costs
Covers attorney fees, expert witness expenses, court costs, and administrative hearing expenses. Defense costs alone can exceed $100,000 even for cases that are ultimately dismissed.
Settlements and Judgments
Pays court-ordered damages or negotiated settlements to injured patients, up to your policy limits. This includes compensatory damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Licensing Board Defense
Covers legal representation when you face disciplinary proceedings before state medical boards or licensing authorities, protecting your ability to practice.
Consent to Settle Clause
Many policies include provisions giving you the right to approve or reject settlement offers, protecting your professional reputation when you believe a claim is without merit.
Who Needs Medical Malpractice Insurance?
- Physicians and Surgeons : All practicing doctors need malpractice coverage—most hospitals require minimum limits of $1M/$3M for privileges
- Nurses and Nurse Practitioners : Advanced practice nurses face increasing liability exposure as their scope of practice expands
- Dentists and Oral Surgeons : Dental procedures carry risks of nerve damage, infection, and anesthesia complications requiring dedicated coverage
- Chiropractors : Spinal manipulation and physical treatments create unique liability exposures requiring specialized policies
- Mental Health Professionals : Psychiatrists, psychologists, and therapists face claims related to treatment decisions, patient harm, and confidentiality breaches
- Allied Health Providers : Physical therapists, physician assistants, radiologists, and other healthcare workers need coverage appropriate to their practice
Why Harper?
Specialty-Specific Underwriting
Harper understands that a dermatologist faces different risks than an OB/GYN or neurosurgeon. We work with carriers who specialize in medical malpractice and tailor coverage limits, deductibles, and policy terms to your specific specialty and risk profile.
Claims-Made and Occurrence Options
Harper offers both claims-made policies (covering claims filed during the policy period) and occurrence-based policies (covering incidents that occur during the policy period regardless of when claims are filed). We help you understand which structure best protects your practice.
Tail Coverage Solutions
When switching carriers or retiring, prior acts coverage (tail coverage) is critical. Harper helps you secure affordable tail coverage to protect against claims arising from past treatment, ensuring gaps don't leave you exposed.
Fast Certificates and Credentialing Support
Hospitals and healthcare systems require proof of coverage for credentialing. Harper delivers certificates of insurance quickly, helping you meet facility requirements and maintain hospital privileges without delays.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Excluded from Medical Malpractice Policies?
Medical malpractice insurance does not cover intentional wrongdoing, criminal acts, sexual misconduct, services performed while impaired by drugs or alcohol, or procedures performed outside your licensed scope of practice. It also excludes claims arising from billing disputes, employment practices, and cyber incidents—these require separate policies.
Why is Medical Malpractice Insurance Necessary?
Even excellent physicians face malpractice claims. Studies show approximately 75% of physicians in low-risk specialties and nearly 100% of physicians in high-risk specialties will face a malpractice claim during their career. Without coverage, a single lawsuit could result in personal bankruptcy, loss of assets, and inability to practice medicine.
What's the Difference Between Claims-Made and Occurrence Policies?
Claims-made policies cover claims filed during the active policy period, regardless of when the incident occurred (subject to the retroactive date). Occurrence policies cover incidents that happen during the policy period, even if claims are filed years later. Occurrence policies are typically more expensive but provide permanent protection for covered incidents.
What is Tail Coverage and Do I Need It?
Tail coverage (Extended Reporting Period) is essential when you cancel or switch a claims-made policy. It extends your right to report claims for incidents that occurred during prior coverage periods. Without tail coverage, you could be personally liable for claims filed after your policy ends. Tail premiums typically cost 150-200% of your final annual premium.
What Other Insurance Does My Medical Practice Need?
Beyond malpractice coverage, medical practices typically need: General Liability (slip-and-fall, property damage), Business Owner's Policy (property and equipment), Workers' Compensation (employee injuries), Cyber Liability (patient data breaches and HIPAA compliance), and Employment Practices Liability (wrongful termination, harassment claims).
How Much Does Medical Malpractice Insurance Cost?
Premiums vary significantly based on specialty, location, claims history, and coverage limits. Low-risk specialties (psychiatry, family medicine) may pay $5,000-$15,000 annually, while high-risk specialties (neurosurgery, OB/GYN) can pay $50,000-$200,000+ per year. Geographic location matters—states like New York, Florida, and Illinois typically have higher premiums due to legal environments.