Practice Essentials

Malpractice Insurance for Physicians, NPs & Nurses

Compare medical malpractice insurance options, understand costs by specialty, and protect your career with the right professional liability coverage — whether you're starting a private practice, going locum tenens, or switching employers.

Why Every Clinician Needs Malpractice Insurance

Legal Protection

One in three physicians will be sued during their career. Medical malpractice insurance covers legal defense costs, settlements, and court judgments — protecting your personal assets.

License Defense

Board complaints and license investigations can happen independently of lawsuits. Individual malpractice policies include license defense coverage that employer-provided policies often lack.

Career Transitions

Changing jobs, going locum tenens, or starting a private practice all require your own malpractice policy. Understanding tail coverage and policy types prevents costly gaps.

How Much Does Malpractice Insurance Cost?

Annual premiums vary widely by specialty, state, and coverage limits. Here are typical ranges for 2025.

Specialty / RoleAnnual PremiumRisk Level
Family Medicine$6,000 – $12,000Low
Internal Medicine$8,000 – $15,000Low
Psychiatry$4,000 – $8,000Low
Emergency Medicine$15,000 – $30,000Medium
General Surgery$20,000 – $40,000High
OB/GYN$30,000 – $100,000+High
Nurse Practitioner$1,000 – $3,000Low
Registered Nurse$100 – $300Low

* Premiums based on $1M/$3M coverage limits. Actual costs vary by state, claims history, and insurer. States with the highest premiums include New York, Florida, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.

Claims-Made vs. Occurrence Policies

Understanding the difference is critical — it affects what happens when you change jobs.

Claims-Made Policy

  • Lower initial premiums (increases annually)
  • Covers claims filed while policy is active
  • Requires tail coverage when leaving (1.5–2x annual premium)
  • Gap in coverage if you forget to purchase tail

Best for: Employed physicians whose employer pays for tail coverage

Recommended for Job Changers

Occurrence Policy

  • Covers incidents during policy period — forever
  • No tail coverage needed when changing jobs
  • Simpler to manage across career transitions
  • Higher upfront premiums

Best for: Independent clinicians, locum tenens, frequent job changers

61,941+ Healthcare Jobs Available Now

Changing jobs? Browse positions with work-life balance scores and understand your malpractice insurance needs before you make the switch.

Updated today

Guardian Pharmacy logo

Staff Pharmacist (7 days on 7 days off)

Guardian Pharmacy

Sauk Rapids, Minnesota
$131k-$141k
Yesterday
No Call

Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, United States of America Extraordinary Care. Extraordinary Careers. With one of the nation’s largest, most innovative long-term care pharmacy services provi...

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4.3/10

Baptist Health logo

Pharmacist Hematology Oncology

Baptist Health

Kentucky
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3.5/10

Stony Brook University logo

Pharmacist - Evening Shift - Includes Weekend Hours

Stony Brook University

United States
$127k - $155k
Yesterday

Position Summary At Stony Brook Medicine, a TH Pharmacist is a valuable member of our team, who provides clinical services to our patient population; responsible for reviewing, int...

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2.0/10

Hy-Vee logo

Registered Pharmacist

Hy-Vee

United States
Yesterday
No CallNo Weekends

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4.0/10

MUSC logo

Pharmacist Team Lead

MUSC

South Carolina
Yesterday

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4.0/10

One Oncology logo

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One Oncology

Tennessee
Yesterday

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3.9/10

Brown Medicine logo

Clinical Pharmacist, Inpatient

Brown Medicine

Providence, Rhode Island
$105k - $173k
Yesterday

SUMMARY: Under general supervision of a Pharmacy Supervisor or Pharmacist-in-charge, is responsible for the interpretation, evaluation, preparation and dispensing of medications pu...

Pharmacy
Below Avg

2.0/10

Hy-Vee logo

Registered Pharmacist- Hourly

Hy-Vee

United States
Yesterday
No CallNo Weekends

Additional Considerations (if any): - At Hy-Vee our people are our strength. We promise “a helpful smile in every aisle” and those smiles can only come from a workforce that is ful...

Pharmacy
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4.0/10

Highmark Health logo

Pharmacist - Central Fill

Highmark Health

Pennsylvania
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2.0/10

LCMC Health logo

Pharmacist PRN

LCMC Health

Metairie, Louisiana
Yesterday

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2.0/10

Cigna Healthcare logo

Encore Staff Pharmacist (Remote)

Cigna Healthcare

Remote - Nationwide
Yesterday
No CallNo Weekends

Encore Staff Pharmacist Please note this role is open to Cigna Group retirees only. POSITION SUMMARY The Staff Pharmacist interprets physicians’ prescriptions, contacts doctors or ...

Pharmacy
Top 50%

6.0/10

Cigna Healthcare logo

Encore Staff Pharmacist

Cigna Healthcare

Remote - Nationwide
Yesterday
No CallNo Weekends

Please note this role is open to Cigna Group retirees only. POSITION SUMMARY The Staff Pharmacist interprets physicians’ prescriptions, contacts doctors or other prescribers and/or...

Pharmacy
Top 50%

6.0/10

Rochester Regional Health logo

Clinical Pharmacist

Rochester Regional Health

Batavia, New York
$120k - $165k
Yesterday
No CallNo Weekends

Job Title: Clinical Pharmacist Location: UMMC – North Street Campus Department: Pharmacy Hours Per Week: 40 hours, Full-time, 8-hour shifts Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30a-4p and 8:...

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6.0/10

Amerita logo

Production Pharmacist

Amerita

United States
$70 - $73 per hour
Yesterday

Our Company Amerita Overview Amerita, Inc. is a leading provider in home Infusion therapy. We are looking for a Pharmacist to join our Pharmacy team as we grow to be one of the top...

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4.1/10

Confidential Employer logo

Fulfillment Pharmacist - Boynton Beach, FL

Confidential Employer

Boynton Beach, Florida
Yesterday
No CallNo Weekends

Ro is a direct-to-patient healthcare company with a mission of helping patients achieve their health goals by delivering the easiest, most effective care possible. Ro is the only c...

Pharmacy
Top 50%

6.0/10

Medi Circle logo

Pharmacist - Dispensing Operations (Full-Time)

Medi Circle

Texas
$140k - $160k
Yesterday
No CallNo Weekends

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Below Avg

4.0/10

Department of Defense logo

Encore Staff Pharmacist (Remote)

Department of Defense

Remote - Nationwide
Yesterday
No CallNo Weekends

Encore Staff Pharmacist Please note this role is open to Cigna Group retirees only. POSITION SUMMARY The Staff Pharmacist interprets physicians’ prescriptions, contacts doctors or...

Pharmacy
Top 50%

6.0/10

Hy-Vee logo

Floating Registered Pharmacist

Hy-Vee

United States
$58 - $68 per hour
Yesterday
No CallNo Weekends

Additional Considerations (if any): Professional License/Certification Required - At Hy-Vee our people are our strength. We promise “a helpful smile in every aisle” and those smile...

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Below Avg

4.0/10

Cigna Healthcare logo

Staff Pharmacist - Accredo - Remote (AZ, FL, IN, OH, PA, or TN)

Cigna Healthcare

Remote - Nationwide
$112k - $189k
Yesterday
No Weekends

Accredo Specialty Pharmacy, part of Evernorth Health Services, is seeking a Staff Pharmacists to join their team. This is a full time remote position. Ideal candidates must reside ...

Pharmacy
Top 50%

6.6/10

CVS Health logo

CA District Support Pharmacist - PT

CVS Health

California
$65 - $81 per hour
Yesterday
No Call

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Pharmacy
Below Avg

2.0/10

Top Medical Malpractice Insurance Companies

BerxiMEDPRO GroupCoverysThe Doctors CompanyNORCAL GroupProAssuranceGallagherCM&F Group

When choosing a malpractice insurance provider, compare AM Best financial strength ratings, consent-to-settle clauses, risk management resources, and whether they specialize in your practice type. Physician-owned mutual companies like The Doctors Company often offer lower rates and better claims defense than commercial insurers.

Malpractice Insurance FAQ

Answers to the most common questions about medical malpractice insurance for healthcare professionals

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