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Why is malpractice coverage so expensive?

By Christopher Martinez |

Since there are so few medical malpractice payouts each year, insurers tend to invest a considerable portion of premiums into the bond and stock market. When the return on these investments increases, more firms join the market, and the increased competition drives down premiums.

Do doctors pay malpractice insurance?

In the state of California, physicians are not required to carry malpractice insurance. Even though malpractice insurance isn’t required in California, physicians may still want to obtain this coverage. You may find that a hospital or another facility requires its visiting providers to have malpractice insurance.

How much does medical malpractice insurance cost in Florida?

The same specialty practicing in Philadelphia shelled out $25,000 for coverage, while in Miami-Dade, Florida, the annual bill was $47,700. The full list of premium rates in the AMA report are as follows:

How much does an obstetrician pay for malpractice insurance?

The AMA report shows that obstetricians can expect to pay around $150,000 in annual premiums for malpractice insurance. If your specialty requires fewer actual procedures, you can likely get by in the neighborhood of $30,000 to $50,000. Some low-risk specialties in low-risk areas of the country will pay less than $10,000 a year for coverage.

How much does malpractice insurance cost in Los Angeles?

According to the AMA research, an internal medical professional practicing in the Los Angeles, California area paid an average of $8,274 in annual malpractice insurance premiums in 2017. The same specialty practicing in Philadelphia shelled out $25,000 for coverage, while in Miami-Dade, Florida, the annual bill was $47,700.

Do you pay higher premiums for medical malpractice insurance?

If you have had medically related lawsuits brought against you, whether they were dismissed, settled, or paid out as a judgement, you can expect to pay higher premiums than a similar doctor with no claims history. Insurers often offer discounts for new physicians given their lack of claims history.