A medical malpractice policy can cover you for:
Professional negligence
Covers claims that a healthcare provider failed to meet the expected standard of care, resulting in harm to a patient. This could include misdiagnosis, surgical errors, incorrect treatment, or delayed diagnosis.
Errors and omissions
Protects against mistakes or omissions in medical advice, record-keeping, prescribing, or treatment planning.
Legal defence costs
Pays for legal representation, court costs, and other defence expenses, even if the claim is groundless or ultimately dismissed.
Settlements and damages
Covers compensation awarded to patients if you’re found legally liable for injury or loss caused by your medical services.
Breach of confidentiality
Some policies include protection if you inadvertently disclose sensitive patient information without proper authorisation.
Good samaritan acts
Often includes cover for treatment given in emergency situations, even outside your regular place of work.
Extended reporting / run-off cover
Policies can include cover for claims made after you’ve stopped practising or when you have retired, as long as the incident occurred during the insured period.
Frequently asked questions
1. What is medical malpractice insurance?
A medical malpractice policy is designed to protect healthcare professionals and medical organisations against claims arising from professional negligence, errors, or omissions in the course of providing medical treatment or advice. If a patient suffers injury, illness, or loss as a result of your medical services (or even simply believes they have) this policy helps cover the legal and financial consequences.
2. Who should buy medical malpractice insurance?
Anyone providing medical or therapeutic care may need this cover. This includes doctors, GPs, and surgeons, as well as nurses, paramedics, and healthcare assistants. Dentists, dental hygienists, and orthodontists, along with physiotherapists, chiropractors, and osteopaths, also fall within this group. Psychologists, counsellors, therapists, and alternative medicine practitioners (acupuncture, homeopathy, etc) are included, as are private clinics, care homes, and aesthetic practitioners.
Note: NHS-employed professionals are usually covered by NHS Resolution (CNST), but independent contractors, private practitioners, or anyone working outside the NHS may need their own cover
3. What are the additional benefits of having medical malpractice insurance?
Many policies include run-off cover, which protects against claims made after retirement or when you cease practice, subject to policy terms. Reputational support, including access to crisis PR and legal advice, is also a key benefit for many policyholders. For practitioners working internationally or offering telehealth services, worldwide jurisdiction options are often available.
4. What type of businesses or practitioners are at risk?
Anyone providing advice, diagnosis, treatment, or physical care is at risk, particularly those in high-pressure or invasive roles. Private medical and dental clinics often face heightened exposure due to self-employment or elective procedures. Cosmetic and aesthetic practitioners are seeing more claims, driven by rising public expectations and online scrutiny. Allied health professionals such as physiotherapists, speech therapists, and occupational therapists may face risks in schools, homes, or private settings. Mental health practitioners often face legal scrutiny around duty of care and consent, while care homes and domiciliary services are exposed to claims involving neglect, medication errors, or staffing issues.
