Physicians Professional Liability Insurance

Professional liability insurance, also known as malpractice insurance, is a critical safeguard for physicians in the United States. A recent American Medical Association (AMA) study found that nearly one in every three physicians will face a lawsuit for medical malpractice at some point in their careers. This statistic illustrates that legal challenges in medicine are not uncommon, even for highly skilled physicians, and being sued is not necessarily an indication of medical error. The AMA’s findings also reveal that while a significant portion of malpractice claims against physicians do not result in a determination of fault, when cases do go to trial, they can result in large compensation payments being awarded to plaintiffs.

Physicians Professional Liability Insurance can include:

Protects physicians against allegations of negligence in diagnosis, treatment, surgery, or follow-up care.
Covers claims arising from patient harm, documentation issues, or failure to adhere to the standard of care.
Applies to a wide range of specialties and practice types, from solo clinics to hospital-based roles.
Supports physicians practicing telemedicine, part-time, or in multiple locations.
Limits up to $1M per claim / $3M aggregate; tail and prior acts coverage available.

More information

What does Professional Liability Insurance cover?

Professional liability insurance for physicians typically includes coverage for legal fees, settlements, and judgments in malpractice lawsuits. It addresses claims of negligence and errors in healthcare delivery. Key aspects like arbitration costs, medical damages, and punitive and compensatory damages are often covered.

Why is Tailored Coverage Important?

Given the diverse nature of medical practices, one-size-fits-all insurance coverage is inadequate. Physicians are advised to collaborate with specialized insurance brokers, like Westwood Insurance Group to secure a policy that is tailored to their specific practice needs and risk exposures.

Some things to consider:

What coverage limits do you want? The most common limits are $1 million per claim and $3 million total for the claim period, however your particular state, or the medical organization you work for may have different requirements.
Do you need insurance to cover claims made during the insured period or occurrences? Occurrences coverage will cover you even if the claims are lodged after the period of insurance, provided the event being claimed for occurred during the insured period. For instance, if you are retiring at the end of the year of coverage, and you have a claims made policy, you may want to purchase tail coverage, in case claims are lodged after you retire.
Do you want your policy to include a “consent to settle” clause, allowing you to approve a potential settlement, or to withhold approval if you don’t like the terms of the settlement.

Have questions? Fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch.

Covers claims of malpractice, including misdiagnosis, surgical error, improper prescribing, and missed follow-up.
Legal defense for failures in patient communication, delayed referrals, and treatment complications.
Applies to a broad range of specialties, from family medicine and dermatology to surgery and critical care.
Includes protection for documentation disputes, EMR omissions, and record-keeping errors.
Supports hospital-employed physicians, independent practitioners, and multi-specialty group providers.
Optional endorsements available for telehealth services, office-based procedures, and shared entity coverage.
Tailored for both new-to-practice doctors and established physicians seeking consistent coverage across multiple settings.
Standard policy limits include $1,000,000 per claim / $3,000,000 aggregate, with tail coverage and retroactive date flexibility available to ensure continuity of protection when transitioning carriers or practice structures.