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
69,747+ 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
Social Worker, Behavioral Health, Part Time
Self Regional Healthcare
Special Qualifications If Social Worker: MSW required. Licensed Independent Social Worker preferred. Two years of previous social services experience required. Psychiatric experien...
6.0/10
Behavioral Health Case Manager: Hrly FT
Firelands Health
$7,500 RETENTION BONUS WE HAVE FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME POSITIONS AVAILABLE POSITION HIGHLIGHTS: * Retention Bonus: $7,500 * Employee-centric: Competitive pay, excellent ben...
6.0/10
Behavioral Health Associate PRN
Acadiana Treatment Center
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: * Demonstrate a sense of urgency related to the importance of patient safety and provide excellent customer services. * Ensure the well-being of patients...
6.0/10
Behavioral Health Therapist, Dependently Licensed: Sal FT
Firelands Health
$10,000 RETENTION BONUS POSITION HIGHLIGHTS: * Award Winning: Named among the top 10% in the Nation for Patient Safety Excellence Award, America’s 100 Best Orthopedic Surg...
6.0/10
Psychotherapist (LCSW, LCPC or LMFT) -Behavioral Health Connection
Penobscot Community Health Care
Penobscot Community Health Care is seeking a psychotherapist to work in and support our growing Behavioral Health Connection service, based at PCHC’s Brewer Medical Center. Care fo...
6.0/10
Behavioral Health Case Manager (DuPage)
Metropolitan Family Services
If asked to describe the culture at Metropolitan Family Services, we could do that in one word. COMMUNITY! Reflected in both our internal culture as well as through the services we...
6.6/10
Behavioral Health Consultant/Licensed Therapist (LCSW, LMHC, LMFT, LCAC) - $10,000 Sign-On Bonus
Bowen Health
The Behavioral Health Consultant position involves diagnosis and treatment of behavioral health concerns, as well as designing behavioral health interventions to address barriers p...
Youth Behavioral Health Specialists Needed-Full-time! -Cuyahoga County, OH
Ohio Guidestone
Where New Paths Begin [https://ohioguidestone.org/] OhioGuidestone is the state’s leader in community behavioral health care, serving around 26,000 Ohioans each year. We focus on ...
7.5/10
Early Childhood Behavioral Health Specialists Cuyahoga County, OH
Ohio Guidestone
Where New Paths Begin [https://ohioguidestone.org/] OhioGuidestone is the state’s leader in community behavioral health care, serving around 26,000 Ohioans each year. We focus on ...
7.5/10
Behavioral Health Specialist- Union County
Ohio Guidestone
Job Summary The Behavioral Health Specialist works under the supervision of the Clinical Supervisor/Manager and is responsible for providing case management services to a diverse...
7.5/10
Most healthcare professionals are $30K+ underpaid. Are you?
69,737+ more positions hidden below. Members who unlock them:
The math: $27/mo → potential $20-50K salary increase
That's a 740x return on your investment
Cancel in 30 seconds · Keep all data you've seen
Or
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