Insurance for Physician and Surgeon Offices
Medical practices carry some of the most significant professional liability exposure of any business. A treatment decision, a prescribing error, a surgical complication, or a delayed diagnosis can all result in malpractice claims with costs that reach into six figures before a judgment is even reached. At the same time, the volume of protected health information held in physician offices creates major cyber and HIPAA exposure. We work with medical specialty carriers to build coverage that addresses every layer of a physician's or surgeon's practice risk.
Key Coverages for Physician and Surgeon Offices
- Medical Malpractice (Professional Liability) - Covers patient claims arising from treatment errors, misdiagnosis, surgical complications, medication errors, or allegations of negligence. Pays attorney fees, expert witness costs, settlements, and judgments.
- Business Owner's Policy (BOP) - Covers your exam rooms, medical equipment, waiting area furnishings, and general liability for patient injuries on your premises.
- Cyber Liability / HIPAA - Physician practices hold extensive protected health information. Cyber coverage addresses HIPAA breach notification, patient credit monitoring, regulatory defense, and OCR investigation costs.
- Workers Compensation - Required in most states if you employ nurses, medical assistants, or administrative staff.
- Equipment Breakdown - Covers diagnostic equipment, imaging systems, lab equipment, and infusion pumps for mechanical breakdown not covered under standard property policies.
- Umbrella / Excess Liability - Extends malpractice and general liability limits for high-risk specialties or large judgment exposure.
Occurrence vs. Claims-Made Malpractice
Medical malpractice can be written on an occurrence basis or a claims-made basis. Occurrence policies cover incidents that happen during the policy period regardless of when the claim is filed. Claims-made policies cover claims filed while the policy is active and require tail coverage when the policy is not renewed. Surgeons and proceduralists often carry higher premiums under both structures. We explain both options clearly and help you select the structure that best fits your specialty and career timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my malpractice policy cover telemedicine visits?
Many malpractice policies now include telemedicine by default, but some limit coverage to in-state telemedicine or require a specific endorsement for cross-state visits. We confirm your policy's telemedicine language matches how your practice actually operates.
What is tail coverage and when do I need it?
Tail coverage (extended reporting period) allows claims related to past treatment to be reported after a claims-made policy ends. You need tail when retiring, changing employers, switching carriers, or closing a practice. We advise on tail options and help you avoid gaps in coverage during transitions.