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
69,457+ 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
Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant or Certified Nurse Midwife - Maternal Fetal Medici
Northwestern Memorial Healthcare
Company Description At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as...
6.0/10
Physician for Modern Vein Clinic — Will Provide Comprehensive Training
Metro Vein Centers
Metro Vein Centers is a rapidly growing healthcare practice specializing in state-of-the-art vein treatments. Our board-certified physicians and expert staff are on a mission to im...
6.1/10
Primary Care Provider, Nurse Practitioner / Physician Assistant
Welbe Health
Make a difference where it matters most by providing life-changing, community-based care to our most vulnerable seniors. At WelbeHealth, we believe healthcare should be more than j...
Hospice Care Consultant Family and Physician Liaison
Gentiva
Overview Educate. Advocate. Drive Meaningful Hospice Referrals. We are seeking a Hospice Care Consultant – Physician and Family Liaison to join our team. Reporting directly to the ...
7.5/10
Physician
WELL Health Technologies
Entity: WELL Health Clinic Networks Inc. Position: Physician Type: Full Time (No of position - 2), Fee for Service Location: WELL Health Medical Centres - Bank & Heron (1582 B...
10.0/10
Physician Assistant - Emergency Department
Kaiser Permanente
Job Summary: Under the direction of a supervising physician, the Physician Assistant provides high quality, efficient, team based patient focused care. The Physician Assistants res...
Part-time Physician
Management and Training
Pay: $ 76,800 annual salary Work schedule: Part-time Benefit package includes: * 401(k) Retirement Plan * Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Impact lives with Management & ...
Physician Assistant - Neurology, Full 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
Community Care Physicians
About Practice Schodack Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, part of Community Care Physicians (CCP), is a well-established primary care practice providing comprehensive care for pat...
6.0/10
Physician Assistant ONLY - Orthopaedic Surgery – Shoulder/Elb
Northwestern Memorial Healthcare
Company Description At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as...
7.5/10
Physician Assistant - Orthopedics - Mount Sinai Queens - Per Diem Days
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
Physician Assistant or RNFA/NP - Cardio Vascular Surgery - Memphis, TN - $10K SOB
Tenet Healthcare
Tenet Healthcare and the St. Francis Health System are seeking an experienced Cardio Thoracic Surgical / Cardio Vascular Surgical Physician Assistant for our facility in Memphis, T...
Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant - Ocular Oncolo
Northwestern Memorial Healthcare
Company Description At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as...
6.6/10
Physician Substitute - EMT
ABO HOLDINGS
PURPOSE Ensure suitability of plasmapheresis donors, through the use of the SOP, current FDA and State guidelines, OSHA, CLIA, cGMP, and all internal company procedures. ...
6.0/10
Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner- Benign Hematology (Remote) (Experience Preferred))
Northwell
Job Description Performs a variety of functions and technical procedures necessary for patient admission, assessment, diagnosis, treatment, follow-up, and outcome evaluation. Part...
6.9/10
Most healthcare professionals are $30K+ underpaid. Are you?
69,442+ 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