1. I've had a claim - am I now stuck with my malpractice insurance company?
2. Is occurence coverage always better than the claims made form of coverage?
3. When purchasing malpractice insurance, should I always choose the lowest price available?
4. Do I have a choice when it comes to the annual rate increases of the insurance companies?
5. Will all insurance companies defend my potential claims with the same manner of expertise?
6. What is the difference between Occurence Insurance and Claims-Made Coverage?
7. I need a tail-only policy. Will any malpractice insurance company sell me tail coverage?


1. I've had a claim - am I now stuck with my malpractice insurance company? If I change to a new one will I experience difficulties getting insurance in the future or even have to pay a surcharge?

Having one or two past claims won't disqualify you from getting quotes from other companies. Malpractice insurance companies are informed and willing to take into consideration the medical facts surrounding past claims. It is possible to document past claim events in such a way that your side of the story is considered, especially using an experienced malpractice insurance professional. This is an instance where having the quality guidance of an experienced malpractice insurance professional who will represent your interest with a variety of companies is much more beneficial than doing it on your own, or exploring only one company.


2. Is Occurrence Coverage always better than the Claims Made form of coverage?

Occurrence and claims made are two significantly different payment structures for your malpractice insurance. Occurrence is not better than claims made or vice versa, they are just different. Choosing the right form of coverage is extremely important, however, as choosing the wrong type could lead to disastrous results. It is important to determine which is the best fit for your practice, because there is no one-size-fits-all.

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3. When purchasing malpractice insurance, should I always choose the lowest price available?

The simple answer to this question is no, you should not always choose the lowest price available. Every insurance company will claim to be the best and most dependable, but it is important to be aware that some are new and are trying to get a foothold in the market, making them more likely to make assertions of which they may not be one hundred percent sure. In some cases, a very low price can tip you off to a company that has problems and is trying to make it up by offering the cheapest rates. Additionally, policy language can differ greatly, and some policies may have more or less coverage than other policies from other companies. Because of all these variables it is important to utilize the knowledge of a top-tier malpractice professional.


4. Do I have a choice when it comes to the annual rate increases of the insurance companies?

Every company's rates will vary for different specialties, because every company will underwrite differently. It is smart to look at your options at renewal to see what is available to you.
Further, the tort reform changes in many states, in addition to certain options offered by malpractice insurance companies, make it even more beneficial to look around and see if there are better available options.


5. Will all insurance companies defend my potential claims with the same manner of expertise?

You purchase insurance so that you don't have to worry. You want protection and security. The most important thing to consider when choosing a company is their financial stability and health, because a company built on weak financial foundations is not one that can provide you with protection and security when you need it. Insurance is not worth much if there is a chance it won't be there to cover you when you need it, so the priority should be to find a company that is financially strong and has the funds and backing to protect you in the court room.

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6. What is the difference between Occurrence Insurance and Claims Made Coverage?

Claims-Made:
Claims-made is a form of insurance in which coverage is limited to liability for those claims that arise from incidents or events that occur and are reported to the insurance company while the policy is in force.  As premiums for claims-made insurance reflect the ongoing claims experience (favorable or not), they can be readily adjusted as the claims experience changes.

Occurrence:
An occurrence policy form is a type of policy in which the insured is covered for any act that occurs (or that did occur) while the policy is (or was) in force, regardless of when the incident is reported or when it becomes a claim.  Under an occurrence policy, you are offered permanent protection for the annual coverage period.  Occurrence insurance for medical liability coverage is rarely offered today because of the difficulty of projecting long-term claims cost under this type of policy.


7. I need a tail-only policy. Will any malpractice insurance company sell me tail coverage?

Tail coverage is only necessary if you are currently covered by a claims-made policy.  It provides extended coverage for your acts while your claims-made policy was in force. Tail coverage is typically available through the current insurance carrier.  We also have access to ‘Stand Alone’ tails in some areas.

Have a question we don't cover in our FAQ? We'd love to answer it for you and even add it to our FAQ as a resource to others! Email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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