Aug 04, 2026
Shopping for medical malpractice insurance isn’t exactly light reading. Between policy types, coverage limits, and where to buy, it can feel like there’s a lot to figure out.
The good news? Once you understand the basics, the process becomes much more manageable. In this guide, we walk through exactly how to buy malpractice insurance, step by step, so you can feel confident you’re choosing the right protection for your career.
As a healthcare provider, you already know that medical malpractice insurance is essential. In fact, you may already have malpractice insurance through your employer. And although many medical professionals assume that their employer-provided coverage is enough to protect them, that’s not always the case.
In reality, there are a number of reasons your employer’s insurance might not be enough to protect you, including holes in your coverage (licensing board reviews are not typically covered by employers’ insurance), inadequate settlement funds, and conflicts of interest.
Getting your own medical malpractice insurance policy, also known as a supplemental policy, can help fill in those gaps by protecting:
It can also extend coverage to situations employer policies may not include, like:
In short, having your own medical malpractice insurance policy gives you control and continuity so you’re protected wherever your career takes you.
Before you start comparing quotes, take a step back and evaluate your specific risk profile.
Key factors to consider include:
You’ll also want to determine whether you need:
If you already have a primary employer-provided policy, review the details carefully. Look for exclusions and any areas where you might not be covered. For example, board actions and HIPAA violations aren’t usually covered by your employer’s insurance.
You should also make sure the policy lets you (and not your employer’s attorneys) decide whether to settle a claim. This is called “consent to settle.” If you know a lawsuit against you is baseless and want to prove it, your insurance company should provide you with a legal team that’ll fight to clear your name.
If you notice gaps like these in your employer’s coverage, you may want to consider getting your own malpractice policy for additional protection. Most coverage gaps can be filled by a supplemental insurance policy.
Not all malpractice policies are created equal. As you evaluate options, look for these important protections:
One of the biggest decisions you’ll make is choosing between a claims-made policy and an occurrence policy. Both offer liability protection, but they work differently. Below we give some of the pros and cons, plus real-world examples for each type.
Claims-made policies cover claims that are filed while the policy is active. In other words, the key factor is that as long as the claim is reported while the coverage is active, you can be protected.
Pros:
Cons:
Example 1: A patient sues you in 2026 claiming you misdiagnosed them in 2024. At the time the claim is filed, you are still insured under the same claims-made malpractice insurance that covered you back in 2024 (since you’ve renewed the policy each year). Your claims-made policy will cover you.
Example 2: You leave your job in 2025 and let your claims-made policy expire. A few months later, a patient sues you for an incident that occurred in 2024. Your former claims-made policy will not cover you. (Note: If you purchased tail coverage or added a retroactive date to cover prior acts on a new policy, you can still be covered.)
Occurrence policies cover claims that arise from services you perform while the policy is active, even if the claim is filed after the policy expires.
Pros:
Cons:
Example: You retired in 2025. A year later, you learn you’re being sued by a patient you treated in 2021. You’re still covered under that policy, even though it has expired and was never renewed.
| Feature | Claims-Made | Occurrence |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage depends on | If claim is filed while policy is active | If incident occurred while policy is active |
| Policy must be active at time of incident | Yes | Yes |
| Policy must be active at time of claim | Yes | No |
| Covers claims after policy ends | No | Yes |
| Upfront cost | Lower | Higher |
| Long-term ease-of-use | More complex | Simpler |
Your limits of liability define how much your policy will pay in the event of a malpractice claim.
When it comes to these coverage limits, there are two key numbers to understand:
A common example is $1 million per claim/$3 million aggregate.
This means:
For some professionals, higher limits such as $2 million/$6 million may be appropriate.
When choosing limits, consider:
Higher limits typically mean higher premiums, but they also provide greater financial protection.
There are three main ways to purchase malpractice insurance:
Each has its pros and cons, but buying direct has become increasingly popular, especially with streamlined online platforms such as Berxi’s or Geico’s. Berxi’s direct-to-consumer model allows you to:
It’s a faster, more transparent way to shop — without sacrificing coverage quality.
Once you know what you need, it’s time to get quotes.
As you compare malpractice insurance options, make sure you’re evaluating apples to apples. That means looking at:
Don’t stop at the price. Ask questions like:
A slightly lower premium may not be worth it if key protections are missing.
Before you buy, take time to read the full policy. Don’t stop at just the quote summary.
Pay close attention to:
Common exclusions may include:
If anything is unclear, ask for clarification. It’s much better to get answers now than to discover gaps later.
Once you’ve chosen a policy, the final steps are straightforward:
From there, the most important thing you can do is maintain continuous coverage. Gaps in coverage can leave you vulnerable, especially with claims-made policies. Set reminders for renewals and keep your policy active as your career evolves.
Malpractice insurance is an investment in your career — but that doesn’t mean you should overpay.
Here are a few ways to keep costs in check when buying malpractice insurance:
Providers like Berxi offer competitive pricing without cutting corners so you can get solid protection at a fair price.
At the end of the day, malpractice insurance is about peace of mind.
You’ve worked hard to build your career. The right coverage helps ensure that a claim, complaint, or unexpected situation doesn’t derail everything you’ve built.
Berxi is part of Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company, which has a financial strength rating of A++ from AM Best. That’s the highest possible rating. Plus, Berxi’s world-class claims team typically responds within one business day, and its in-house product specialists provide hands-on support when you need it.
With Berxi, you get:
It’s a modern approach to malpractice insurance, built to make protection simpler. Get an instant quote today!
Yes. Many providers, including Berxi, offer fully online applications and instant quotes, making it quick and easy to get covered. Get a quick online quote.
Look for carriers with strong financial ratings, clear policy terms, and positive customer reviews. Transparency and responsiveness are key indicators.
Claims-made policies cover you when a claim is filed while the policy is active. Occurrence policies cover claims for services you performed while the policy was active even if the claim is filed after the policy expires.
Without coverage, you could be personally responsible for legal defense costs, settlements, and damages — which can be financially devastating.
Image courtesy of iStock.com/Halfpoint
Image courtesy of iStock.com/Jacob Wackerhausen
Image courtesy of iStock.com/Jacob Wackerhausen
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The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Berxi™ or Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company. This article (subject to change without notice) is for informational purposes only, and does not constitute professional advice. Click here to read our full disclaimer
The product descriptions provided here are only brief summaries and may be changed without notice. The full coverage terms and details, including limitations and exclusions, are contained in the insurance policy. If you have questions about coverage available under our plans, please review the policy or contact us at 833-242-3794 or support@berxi.com. “20% savings” is based on industry pricing averages.
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Nate H. has been a contributing writer for Berxi since 2023, creating educational content that helps healthcare professionals and small business owners better understand insurance, risk management, and professional liability coverage. Prior to focusing on insurance, he wrote extensively about STEM education and community-based health care, translating complex scientific and technical topics into accessible, engaging content for a broad audience. With a talent for simplifying complicated subjects and a passion for helping readers make informed decisions, Nate combines deep research with clear, practical storytelling.
Tiffanie Drayton Mar 27, 2026
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