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

66,064+ 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

Stern At Home Therapy logo

Occupational Therapist - Manhattan

Stern At Home Therapy

United States
46m ago
No CallNo Weekends

Occupational Therapy – Home-Based - Outpatient Flexible Schedule | 1:1 Care | Tiered Per-visit, Salary, or PRN | New Grads Welcome Tired of double-booked schedules and productivi...

Occupational Therapy
New
Cardinal Correctional Care logo

Licensed Therapist

Cardinal Correctional Care

United States
48m ago
No CallNo Weekends

Job description: Job Summary: We are seeking a LCSW/LPC/QMHP/Licensed Therapist to join our team working remotely and in a correctional institution setting. The ideal candidate wil...

Mental Health Therapy
Top 25%

7.7/10

Orthopaedics Plus Physical Therapy logo

Licensed Physical Therapist: Work-Life Balance + 62 visits/wk + Weekly Mentorship

Orthopaedics Plus Physical Therapy

United States
up to $1,350
48m ago
No CallNo Weekends

Ready to Treat Patients Without Burning Out And Grow as a Clinician Again? What if you could be challenged, grow clinically, and still have a life outside of work? What if your cli...

Physical Therapy
New
Pinnacle Home Health & Hospice logo

Occupational Therapist - Home Health

Pinnacle Home Health & Hospice

United States
48m ago
No CallNo Weekends

Job description Benefits: • Competitive Per Diem rates. • Flexible scheduling options to promote work-life balance. • Opportunities for professional growth and continuing education...

Occupational Therapy
New
First Choice Home Health & Hospice logo

Home Health Physical Therapist Assistant

First Choice Home Health & Hospice

United States
48m ago
No CallNo Weekends

Home Health Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) – East Valley/Phoenix First Choice Home Health Full-Time or PRN Pay: per visit + mileage reimbursement First Choice Home Health is s...

Physical Therapy
New
Confidential Employer logo

Occupational Therapist

Confidential Employer

United States
$85k-$115k
48m ago
No CallNo Weekends

JOB DETAILS Status: Full-time or Part-time, permanent Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Location: The Newly Institute Kelowna Clinic (2755 Tutt St #210, Kelowna, BC ...

Occupational Therapy
New
BrightStar Care of Santa Barbara and W. Ventura Counties logo

Physical Therapist - West Ventura County

BrightStar Care of Santa Barbara and W. Ventura Counties

United States
48m ago
No CallNo Weekends

We are looking for an experienced Physical Therapist or Occupational Therapist to join our patient rehabilitation team and provide therapy and rehabilitations services to patients ...

Physical Therapy
New
New Dawn Treatment Centers logo

Full-Time Therapist

New Dawn Treatment Centers

United States
48m ago

Shift - Some weekends required Company Overview New Dawn Treatment Center, established over 30 years ago, is dedicated to serving over a thousand individuals each year through our...

Mental Health Therapy
New
New Dawn Treatment Centers logo

Mental Health Therapist

New Dawn Treatment Centers

United States
$45-$55 per hour
50m ago

Company Overview New Dawn Treatment Center is a leading healthcare provider dedicated to delivering high-quality, evidence-based treatment in a compassionate environment. With over...

Mental Health Therapy
New
21st Century Rehab logo

Speech Therapist

21st Century Rehab

United States
50m ago

Are you interested in joining a team that promotes growth and provides learning opportunities? If so, we invite you to become a part of 21st Century Rehab, PC. We are a therapist o...

Speech-Language Pathology
New
Omni Therapeutics logo

Physical Therapist - School Based Pediatrics

Omni Therapeutics

United States
50m ago
No CallNo Weekends

Are you looking for a change? Are you looking for a better work/life balance environment with a school calendar schedule? Do you love kids and want to make a difference in their li...

Pediatrics
New
Omni Therapeutics logo

School Based Occupational Therapist OTR/L

Omni Therapeutics

United States
50m ago
No CallNo Weekends

Exciting Opportunity for Occupational Therapists! Are you ready for a change? Looking for a better work-life balance with a schedule that follows the school calendar? Do you have a...

Occupational Therapy
New
Excel Prep logo

Occupational Therapist

Excel Prep

United States
50m ago
No CallNo Weekends

Occupational Therapist - ExcelPrep, San Antonio, TX Mission-driven role in a private program serving neurodiverse children. On-site in San Antonio, Texas. About ExcelPrep ExcelP...

Occupational Therapy
New
Assisted Rehab logo

Physical Therapist

Assisted Rehab

United States
$40-$50 per hour
50m ago
No CallNo Weekends

Physical Therapist (Full-Time) Towson, MD $2,500 SIGN-ON BONUS FOR FULL-TIME! Are you passionate about your physical therapy career but tired of or concerned about feeling burned...

Physical Therapy
New
Billet Health logo

Travel Physical Therapist

Billet Health

United States
$150k
50m ago
No CallNo Weekends

Home Health | Hospice | CareGiving | Pharmacy | Transportation Join a Dynamic Team of Care Professionals! Billet Health is seeking a compassionate and experienced Full-Time Physi...

Physical Therapy
New
Arizona Autism Charter Schools logo

Part-Time Physical Therapist (PT) - Tucson Campus

Arizona Autism Charter Schools

United States
$31-$45 per hour
52m ago
No CallNo Weekends

Part-Time Certified Physical Therapist - Tucson Campus (KG- 3rd & 6th-12th Grade) AZACS is growing, and we invite you to apply to be part of our award-winning team AZACS was award...

Physical Therapy
New
New Dawn Treatment Centers logo

Therapist

New Dawn Treatment Centers

United States
52m ago

Shift - Some evenings and/or weekends required. Company Overview New Dawn Treatment Center, established over 30 years ago, is dedicated to serving over a thousand individuals each...

Mental Health Therapy
New
Pueblo of San Felipe logo

Mental Health Therapist-Village Clinic

Pueblo of San Felipe

United States
$36-$39 per hour
52m ago
No CallNo Weekends

Job Description: This is a community-based position that serves residents of the Pueblo of San Felipe. The incumbent provides a range of psychological assessment, diagnostic and th...

Mental Health Therapy
New
Roots Through Recovery logo

Outpatient Therapist

Roots Through Recovery

United States
$30-$35 per hour
52m ago
No CallNo Weekends

Job Summary Roots Through Recovery is seeking a full-time, mental health therapist (Associate) with experience working with substance use, mental health and trauma for our outpatie...

Mental Health Therapy
New
Personal Touch Therapy logo

Occupational Therapist, PRN

Personal Touch Therapy

United States
52m ago
No CallNo Weekends

Come join our dynamic pediatric therapy team!!!! We are looking for a committed occupational therapist to evaluate and treat our patients in accordance with orders of the physician...

Occupational Therapy
New

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

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