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Specialty coverage

Medical Malpractice Insurance

Medical malpractice insurance covers the cost of defending and settling claims that a patient was harmed by an error in care — and it's rarely optional, since hospitals require proof of it before granting privileges and many state licensing boards expect it to practice. Without it, a single lawsuit alleging misdiagnosis or a surgical mistake can put a clinician's personal assets and career on the line.

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Who this coverage is for

This coverage is built for physicians, surgeons, nurses, dentists, therapists, and the clinics and medical groups that employ them. If a patient claims that your care caused them harm, medical malpractice insurance responds to the legal and financial fallout.

What it can help protect

Medical malpractice insurance defends you when a patient alleges that a mistake in diagnosis, treatment, or care led to an injury.

  • Legal defense costs — Pays for attorneys, expert witnesses, and court expenses even when the claim turns out to be unfounded.
  • Settlements and judgments — Covers amounts you may become obligated to pay a patient, up to your policy limits.
  • Allegations of negligence — Responds to claims of misdiagnosis, surgical errors, medication mistakes, or failure to treat.
  • Licensing and board actions — Some policies help with the cost of defending your professional license before a medical board.
  • Lost income for hearings — Certain policies reimburse you for time away from practice to attend a trial or deposition.
Regularly misunderstood coverages
Medical Malpractice vs. General Liability

Patient-care claims vs. slip-and-fall claims.

Key choices and underwriting factors

A licensed review will usually focus on specialty mix, procedures, and locations, limits, claims history, and credentialing, and operational controls and ancillary services.

Common Questions