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
69,280+ 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
Physician Assistant-Orthopedic Surgery (Part Time)
Northwell
Job Description Performs a variety of functions and technical procedures necessary for patient admission, assessment, diagnosis, treatment, follow-up, and outcome evaluation. Part...
6.0/10
Physician Assistant/Psych Nurse Practitioner
Total Life
Description Job Title: Telehealth PA/NP (Pennsylvania Licensed) – Outpatient Med Management Location: Remote (Telehealth) – Must hold an active Pennsylvania license Schedule: Dayti...
10.0/10
Physician Assistant - Urgent Care - Optum Colonial Healthcare
UnitedHealth Group
Colonial Healthcare, part of the Optum family of businesses, is seeking a NP or PA to join our team in Sumter, SC. Optum is a clinician-led care organization that is changing the w...
6.1/10
Full-time Physician (MD/DO) - Clinical Research
Headlands Research
At Headlands Research, we are dedicated to enhancing clinical trial delivery within our communities. As a leading network of advanced clinical trial sites, we leverage cutting-edge...
6.0/10
Per Diem Physician Assistant - Mount Sinai Brooklyn - Medicine
Mount Sinai Health System
Responsible for patient care with supervising physician, and in collaboration with associated medical teams and staffing. Performs a broad spectrum of care regarding critical think...
6.0/10
Tele-Hospitalist - Physician
Centra Care
Tele-Hospitalist Hospitalist wanted to provide telemedicine services with CentraCare Summary Supportive, collegial group with exceptional retention; over 70 physicians...
7.5/10
Acute Care Physician - JCI-Accredited Hospital
PulseHire HR
PulseHire HR is excited to present a unique opportunity for an Acute Care Physician to join a JCI-accredited hospital in the Gulf region. This role is critical for providing high-q...
PRN Physician Practice Nurse - GSPN Urology
Good Samaritan
Job Summary: The Physician Practice Nurse RN will facilitate patient care during each scheduled office visit. In addition RN will assist physician with any patient care issues as ...
Nurse Practitioner / Physician Assistant – Interventional and Structural Heart Cardiology
UW Health
Work Schedule: 100%, day shift working Monday – Friday from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. Currently no weekends or holidays however subject to change based on future service needs. You will ...
Lead Fertility Treatments & IVF Care Physician - UAE Opportunity
PulseHire HR
PulseHire HR is excited to offer a unique opportunity for a Lead Fertility Treatments & IVF Care Physician to join a leading healthcare facility in the UAE. This role is ideal for ...
6.0/10
Physician Assistant - Emergency Medicine
Med America
Modesto, CA – Seeking Emergency Medicine Advanced Providers Become a Valued Member of Your Emergency Team As an Advanced Provider, you play a critical role in our mission to improv...
Physician - Neurology for Neurohospitalist position
UAB St. Vincent's
Position Overview Department: Neurology trained, Required Board Certified/Board Eligible in Neurology. Schedule: 7on/7off, Onsite and Call Required for Weekdays and Weekends durin...
Physician, Neuropalliative (Berkeley/Castro Valley, CA)
Sutter Health
Opportunity Information Neurologist, neuro-palliative – Berkeley, Castro Velley, CA Sutter East Bay Medical Group (SEBMG) is seeking to hire a full time Neurologist to join a colla...
6.0/10
Physician Services Coder III - Remote Anesthesia
Tenet Healthcare
JOB SUMMARY The primary purpose of the SPEC, PHYS SVC CODING III is to code physician charges by assigning ICD-10, CPT, HCPCS codes and modifiers from medical record documentation...
8.9/10
Physician Services Coder III - Remote Surgical Orthopedic
Tenet Healthcare
JOB SUMMARY The primary purpose of the SPEC, PHYS SVC CODING III is to code physician charges by assigning ICD-10, CPT, HCPCS codes and modifiers from medical record documentatio...
8.9/10
Most healthcare professionals are $30K+ underpaid. Are you?
69,265+ 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