What does medical malpractice insurance actually cover?

Medical malpractice, a form of professional liability, defends and pays claims that a patient was harmed by your diagnosis, treatment, or care. It covers legal defense costs and settlements or judgments up to your policy limits.

Do we need cyber coverage if we already follow HIPAA?

Following HIPAA reduces risk but doesn't eliminate breaches, and a breach can still trigger notification costs, regulatory penalties, and lawsuits. Cyber coverage helps pay those costs, which HIPAA compliance alone does not.

What's the difference between 'claims-made' and 'occurrence' malpractice policies?

An occurrence policy covers incidents that happen during the policy period no matter when the claim is filed. A claims-made policy only covers claims reported while the policy is active, which is why doctors leaving a claims-made policy often buy 'tail' coverage for past care.

Are my employees' injuries covered under malpractice insurance?

No. Malpractice covers patient-care claims; injuries to your own staff are covered by workers' compensation, which California requires once you have employees. The two are separate policies.

Industry Expertise

Medical Practices Insurance

For medical practices, professional liability (malpractice) coverage is the baseline hospitals require for admitting privileges and that health plans require before they'll add you to a network. Add federal patient-privacy rules under HIPAA and California's own health-data laws, and a records breach or a treatment claim can bring regulatory penalties on top of a lawsuit.

Coverage to Consider Schedule Consultation

Who this coverage is for

This fits physician practices, dental and specialty clinics, and allied-health providers such as physical therapists, chiropractors, and mental-health professionals. It also suits urgent-care centers and multi-provider group practices.

What it can help protect

A medical practice's coverage protects patients, patient data, and the practice itself:

Medical malpractice (professional liability) — defends and pays claims that care or treatment harmed a patient.
Cyber and HIPAA breach — helps with notification, penalties, and recovery costs after protected health information is exposed.
General liability — covers a patient or visitor injured on the premises, such as a slip in the waiting room.
Employment practices — defends against staff claims of wrongful termination, discrimination, or harassment.
Business property and equipment — repair or replacement of medical equipment and office contents after covered damage.

Key industry risk considerations

A licensed review will usually focus on locations, providers, procedures, ancillary services, and credentialing complexity, patient data workflow, vendors, and downtime sensitivity, and claims-made timing, prior acts, acquisitions, and staffing changes.

Coverages for this industry

The coverages most relevant to Medical Practices Insurance, tiered by priority. Start a quote on any one, or have an advisor review the whole stack.

Core

Medical Malpractice Insurance

Protects against patient-injury and professional-negligence claims central to clinical care.

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Core

General Liability Insurance

Covers slip-and-fall and third-party bodily injury in your office.

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Core

Commercial Property Insurance

Protects your building, equipment, and contents.

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Core Often required

Workers' Compensation Insurance

Required in California once you have employees; covers staff injuries.

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Recommended

Cyber Liability Insurance

Protects patient data (HIPAA) after a breach or ransomware event.

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Recommended

Directors & Officers / Management Liability

Shields the practice's leadership from management-decision claims.

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Situational

Commercial Auto Insurance

If the practice owns or uses vehicles.

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Situational

Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI)

Covers staff claims like harassment or wrongful termination.

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Highly regulated industry

Sterling Guidance by Type of Medical Practice

Shared core: Medical Malpractice Insurance General Liability Insurance Cyber Liability Insurance Workers' Compensation Insurance Commercial Property Insurance