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 / Role | Annual Premium | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|
| Family Medicine | $6,000 – $12,000 | Low |
| Internal Medicine | $8,000 – $15,000 | Low |
| Psychiatry | $4,000 – $8,000 | Low |
| Emergency Medicine | $15,000 – $30,000 | Medium |
| General Surgery | $20,000 – $40,000 | High |
| OB/GYN | $30,000 – $100,000+ | High |
| Nurse Practitioner | $1,000 – $3,000 | Low |
| Registered Nurse | $100 – $300 | Low |
* 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
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
63,765+ 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
Registered Nurse - RN - PACU Full Time Nights
Orlando Health
Position Summary Position Summary Administers patient care in an area in a hospital or inpatient/observation setting where an acute care patient receives active treatment for an i...
2.0/10
Registered Nurse - RN - Cath Lab Full Time Evenings
Orlando Health
Position Summary Position Summary Administers patient care in an area in a hospital or inpatient/observation setting where an acute care patient receives active treatment for an i...
2.0/10
Registered Nurse - RN - ER Per Diem Days
Orlando Health
Position Summary Position Summary Administers patient care in an area in a hospital or inpatient/observation setting where an acute care patient receives active treatment for an i...
2.0/10
Registered Nurse - RN - ER Per Diem Nights
Orlando Health
Position Summary Position Summary Administers patient care in an area in a hospital or inpatient/observation setting where an acute care patient receives active treatment for an i...
2.0/10
RN Home Care - Part Time Nurse Flexible
BAYADA Home Health Care
Pick Your Client, Pick Your Schedule Flexible Part-Time Schedules - We have immediate openings with our clients in Blackwood, Lawnside, Sicklerville, Voorhees, Cherry Hill and more...
5.7/10
Registered Nurse - RN - ER Per Diem Mid Shift
Orlando Health
Position Summary Position Summary Administers patient care in an area in a hospital or inpatient/observation setting where an acute care patient receives active treatment for an i...
2.0/10
Registered Nurse-RN - ICU - PT
UHS
Responsibilities Registered Nurse RN ICU PART TIME St. Mary’s is a 229-bed, acute care hospital located in Enid, OK. St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center has served the healthcare...
5.7/10
Registered Nurse (or LPN) - Ada, MI
Health Bar
Essential Functions: Assess patient health status in the home environment Administer medications and treatments as prescribed in adherence to provider orders Monitor vital signs...
4.0/10
Nurse Specialist Angio VIR, Per DIER
Stamford Health
Stamford Health is hiring a PER DIEM Nurse Specialist- Angio for VIR on the Day Shift! This position is PER DIEM, with a Minimum Requirement of 6 shifts per 6-week schedule, 12 ho...
3.5/10
Nurse Specialist Angio VIR, Per DIER
Stamford Health Medical Group
Stamford Health is hiring a PER DIEM Nurse Specialist- Angio for VIR on the Day Shift! This position is PER DIEM, with a Minimum Requirement of 6 shifts per 6-week schedule, 12 ho...
3.5/10
Licensed Practical Nurse - McLeod ENT Seacoast - FT
McLeod Health
Essential Job Responsibilities/Expectations Assists the physician in assessing the needs of patients based on data collected through history, observation, physical exam, telephone ...
4.0/10
NICU Registered Nurse II Part-Time
Children’s National Hospital
All nursing practice is based on the legal scope of practice, national and specialty nursing standards, Children%27s National Policies and Procedures, and in accordance with all ap...
4.0/10
Nurse RN | North PAT | PT (Remote)
UF Health
6.0/10
Nurse LPN/RN
Pyramid Healthcare
Pyramid Healthcare is dedicated to offering the highest quality of care to those we serve. A focus on client-focused care establishes our family of brands as respected leaders in a...
2.6/10
Registered Nurse - PICC Team
University Hospitals
A Brief Overview Provides safe efficient age specific nursing care to patients/families using the nursing process in order to assist them to attain, maintain, regain, and sustain o...
4.0/10
Registered Nurse
Rad Net
Responsibilities Artificial Intelligence; Advanced Technology; The very best in patient care. With decades of expertise, RadNet is Leading Radiology Forward. With dynamic cross-tr...
3.7/10
Vocational Nurse (LVN) - Memorial Unit
University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB)
The mission of Correctional Managed Care is to address the healthcare needs of underserved patient populations within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) and the Texas ...
4.0/10
Vocational Nurse (LVN) - Ramsey Unit
University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB)
The mission of Correctional Managed Care is to address the healthcare needs of underserved patient populations within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) and the Texas ...
4.0/10
Registered Nurse - Endoscopy
Mayo Clinic
The registered nurse (RN) is accountable for the coordination of nursing care, including direct patient care, patient/family education and transitions of care. The RN supports prof...
4.0/10
Nurse Midwife-1.0 FTE Scandia & Osceola
LADD MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
The Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) functions within the nurse midwife scope of practice, working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary care team to independently manage patient...
4.0/10
Top Medical Malpractice Insurance Companies
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
Planning a Career Move?
Browse thousands of healthcare jobs with work-life balance scores, salary data, and burnout intelligence — so you can find a position worth insuring.
Browse All Jobs