Medical malpractice. That’s a scary word for any healthcare professional, and it’s why healthcare professionals–and why doctors take the Hippocratic Oath, to avoid going against their patients’ interests. But if all else fails, and something does go wrong, it’s good to know there’s insurance in place to help.

With approximately 1 in 3 medical practitioners sued for medical malpractice in the US, it makes all the more sense why this coverage would be highly sought after. Explore what this coverage is, why it helps, and whether or not your clinic should have it.

First of all – what is medical malpractice insurance?

In short, medical malpractice insurance is another designation of professional liability insurance. It’s a subgroup of E&O and it covers more specific risks faced by healthcare professionals.

The longer definition of it is this: a type of professional liability insurance designed to protect healthcare providers against claims of negligence and errors. It’s crucial for doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals, as it helps cover the legal costs and settlements or judgments associated with lawsuits alleging mistakes in patient care. Claims covered by medical malpractice insurance can arise from various scenarios, including misdiagnosis, surgical errors, and improper treatment.

Even highly skilled and experienced practitioners can make mistakes, and the consequences can be severe, both for the patient and the healthcare provider. After all, malpractice claims can be financially devastating and damage a professional’s reputation and career—sometimes irreparably.

Is medical malpractice insurance required by law?

Unlike some other types of E&O insurance, medical malpractice insurance is almost always required by state law for medical clinics, particularly hospitals and is usually a prerequisite before obtaining certain kinds of medical licenses. Even if it isn’t required by your profession, it’s highly recommended. The cost of a lawsuit can be high, and the damage to your reputation even moreso.

Here’s a list of professions generally required to carry medical malpractice insurance:

• Nurse
• Psychotherapists
• Dentists
• Physiotherapists
• Psychiatrists
• Physicians
• Optometrists
• Social worker

State laws, however, vary. There’s no federal requirement for this type of insurance. Seven states presently require the acquisition of medical malpractice insurance for certain healthcare professionals (such as those listed above): Kansas, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Colardo, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Wisconsin. Exact requirements vary by state, but the amount of coverage needed varies from $100,000 to $1 million per occurrence, and then $300,0000 to $3 million in annual “aggregate coverage.”

Some states have similar requirements, but instead of a hard mandate, it’s a minimum level of coverage for medical professionals to participate in state programs, which can limit the damages that a malpractice claim can bring or offer supplemental malpractice insurance. This includes New York, Pennsylvania, Wyoming, Nebraska, Indiana, Louisiana, and New Mexico. In California, it’s only required of physicians to have malpractice insurance if they do outpatient surgery.

In order to be exempt from insurance in Florida, doctors must have an escrow account, post a bond, or receive an irrevocable line of credit letter from a lending agency or bank. This cannot be used for legal fees. It also must be made known to patients they don’t carry malpractice insurance.

Why carry medical malpractice insurance?

Why should doctors and medical professionals carry malpractice insurance? Because it safeguards them against the financial and reputational risks associated with lawsuits alleging negligence or errors in patient care. This insurance, as part of an overall medical offices insurance plan, covers legal costs, settlements, and judgments, ensuring that practitioners can focus on providing quality care without the constant fear of potential litigation. Plus, depending on the state you’re in, it can be a requirement! Even if your state doesn’t require medical malpractice insurance, it’s greatly recommended.

How much does medical malpractice insurance cost?

It varies by profession, state, and coverage level. Professional liability insurance generally costs around $50-$100 a month for a small healthcare clinic, but keep in mind that other factors will influence your final pricetag:

• The size of your clinic
• Your daily operations – what you do, activities
• If surgeries are performed
• The location of your clinic
• Policy limits and deductible amounts
• Previous medical malpractice claims

Medical malpractice will not cover you against every business risk there is. Depending on your business’ specifics, you could benefit from having other policies, which also could be required. General liability, commercial property insurance, tools and equipment insurance, etc., are all coverages that can be of benefit to healthcare clinics.

AHI Group can help your medical office or healthcare clinic find the best medical malpractice insurance tailored to your specific needs. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by healthcare providers, we offer personalized service to navigate the complexities of malpractice coverage. Our expert team evaluates various insurance options to ensure comprehensive protection at competitive rates. By partnering with AHI Group, your practice can benefit from customized solutions that provide peace of mind and allow you to focus on delivering exceptional patient care!

Consultants are specially trained or experienced individuals who are paid in exchange for providing professional expertise, usually to do with a specific project, industry, or topic. They often have strong relationships with their clients and successful consultants do well to invest in marketing and networking. What kind of insurance do they need, though? Is professional liability insurance a must for contractors, especially as most of their business revolves around giving advice?

The short answer here is: yes, consultants do need professional liability insurance (also called errors and omissions, or E&O for short.) Due to the potentially sensitive nature of the advice they offer, consultants may be more at-risk than other industries and professionals. Here’s how professional liability insurance (among other coverages!) can help protect you as a consultant.

Professional liability insurance for consultants

In a nutshell, professional liability insurance in the context of insuring consultants protects these professional individuals if they should ever make a mistake, forget something, or fail to offer their promised service to a client. Since the failure on the part of the consultant could cost the client a huge amount, it could result in a lawsuit. In the event of an error or omission, professional liability insurance would provide the consultant with the protection they need.

What kind of mistakes or claims made by a consultant would be covered by E&O?

Here’s a list of some of the kinds of mistakes or errors that professional liability insurance can cover:

Professional Negligence

A mistake or oversight in the consultant’s work, such as not accounting for a specific deadline or budget, could lead to significant financial loss for a client. The client could sue, leaving the consultant faced with hefty legal defence costs.

Legal Defense Costs

Any lawsuit pertaining to an E&O event may be covered by professional liability insurance, including the following expenses: attorney fees, court costs, and settlement expenses.

Misrepresentation

A consultant could be faced with a claim following an incident where the consultant provided misleading information or failed to provide important information to a client.

Breach of Contract

Professional liability insurance can cover claims that arise from a consultant not fulfilling contractual obligations as agreed upon in their consultant-client contract.

Failure to Deliver Services

If the consultant fails to deliver services as promised/either fails to provide services altogether or fails to meet expectations, they may be faced with serious trouble. Professional liability insurance could help in an instance like this.

Is professional liability insurance required for consultants?

Consultants certainly should have E&O insurance, given the extent of what could go wrong, but is it actually required? In some cases, certain insurance coverages are required by law. It depends on the state and industry, of course, but businesses can get in serious trouble if they’re found to be underinsured.

Professional liability insurance is not universally required for consultants, but technically its necessity depends on the industry, client contracts (some contracts will include conditions that the consultant carries their own insurance coverage,) and legal regulations in the consultant’s operating region.

Many clients, particularly larger corporations and government agencies mandate that consultants carry professional liability insurance as part of their contractual agreements. This requirement serves as a safeguard against potential financial losses resulting from mistakes, negligence, or inadequate work performed by the consultant.

While smaller clients might not always require professional liability insurance, having this coverage can significantly enhance a consultant’s credibility and professionalism. Insurance provides a safety net that protects consultants from the financial burdens of legal defense costs, settlements, and potential damages if a client files a lawsuit. In a field where reputation and trust are of the utmost importance, carrying professional liability insurance not only mitigates risk but also shows a commitment to a higher standard of service.

Is professional liability insurance required for consultants?

The cost of professional liability insurance for consultants varies widely based on several factors, including the consultant’s industry, the size and scope of their business, the level of risk associated with their services, and the coverage limits of the policy. On average, consultants can expect to pay between $500 and $3,000 annually for a basic professional liability insurance policy. For higher-risk industries or those requiring higher coverage limits, the cost can be significantly higher.

Like any commercial insurance policy, factors of your business will impact your rates. For example, a consultant in a field which much higher perceived risks, like financial advisory, could see higher premiums than those in less risky fields. Insurance premiums may also be impacted by geographical location (lawsuits being more expensive in some areas) and, of course, policies with higher coverage limits or add-ons will cost more.

To obtain the best rates, we recommend calling our agents here at AHI and discussing your needs today! We’ll go over your existing coverage and how to find you a great rate. After all, you give such great advice–why shouldn’t you get it back? Our tips and suggestions will guide you towards the ultimate policy that will grant you both peace-of-mind and great savings.

Did you know that 1 in 5 deaths among workers in the U.S. occur in the construction industry? This is just one of many reasons for construction businesses to have the necessary insurance to protect themselves against workplace injuries, among other hazards.

Unfortunately, the construction business is risky–but at the same time, it’s integral to the U.S. economy. From on-the-job injuries to severe weather, vandalism and break-ins, traffic collisions, and more, there are so many possible ways to experience losses as a contractor. With the right insurance, you can be protected against almost anything that can happen. It helps to know what can happen. Here are some of the most common insurance claims that contractors make.

Are contractors required to carry insurance?

Before we get into the types of claims that contractors may face, let’s take a glance at what insurance is required of contractors.

Contractors and subcontractors are sometimes required to carry contractor insurance in the U.S. Specific contractors that may specialize in certain fields, like plumbers or electricians, may benefit from having special artisan contractor insurance. That being said, insurance requirements can vary depending on the state, line of business, etc. Usually, it’s a general rule of thumb that any business with employees acquires workers’ compensation insurance.

General liability and errors and omissions insurance are also highly recommended. The former protects your business against claims of bodily injury and property damage and the latter protects your business against claims of negligence, misinformation, error, etc. Both are beneficial layers of protection to support your business in the face of costly lawsuits.

What are the five most common contractor insurance claims?

Construction can be high-risk, which means it’s ripe with opportunities for damage and losses. Here are five of the most common contractor insurance claims:

Personal injuries and property damages

Did you know that 10% of all liability claims arise from slips and falls? Accidents still happen, no matter the precautions we take to avoid them. With construction, there can be a lot of hazards–falling debris, cracks in the ground, machinery and equipment left out, etc., that passerby could trip or injure themselves on. If a non-employee injures themselves or their property is damaged by your construction business’s operations, they could sue. That lawsuit could cost your business.

For example, say your construction business was performing renovations when a heavy piece of equipment gets dropped accidentally. It significantly damages a homeowner’s living room floor and nearby wall, cracking their hardwood floor and leaving a large hole in the wall. The damages are estimated at $8,500. The total claim amount for the repairs, plus any additional expenses, amounts out to $9,500–which would be covered by a general liability insurance policy.

Workers’ compensation injury

The construction industry is huge for workplace injuries, ranging from minor to severe. It could be due to a fall, dropping heavy equipment, misuse of machinery, etc. If a workplace mishap sends a worker to the doctor or, worse, the hospital, they’ll be out of commission for some time plus may rack up some serious medical bills. Workers’ compensation insurance can be used in this instance to cover both lost wages, medical bills, rehabilitation or ongoing care, and in a worst case scenario, funeral expenses and death benefits for your employee’s surviving family.

Damage to ongoing builds

Construction involves a lot of works-in-progress, which tend to be extremely vulnerable to damages during the period where they are being worked on. There’s a lot to lose on an ongoing project–materials, supplies, equipment, tools, and all the work your company has invested time and money in. One of the most common contractor insurance claims comes for projects in progress, with wildfires being among the most common causes of damage.

Stolen equipment

A probably unsurprising cause of loss for construction companies and contractors is equipment stolen off of worksites. Your contracting equipment is crucial to helping your business run. It’s also expensive–and appealing to thieves. If your tools go missing from a worksite or warehouse, or are lifted out of your company trucks, it might be time to file a tools and equipment insurance claim.

Traffic accidents

Contractors and construction companies may make use of company vans to tote around workers, equipment, materials, supplies, and more. No vehicle is immune to traffic collisions. Plus, with as much time as these vehicles spend on the roads going between worksites, it only makes sense that commercial auto claims would be popular in this industry. Keep in mind that your personal auto policy–or your employees’ personal auto policies–won’t cover your company vans or trucks if they’re damaged in a crash. You’ll need to have a commercial auto policy in your toolbox.

Do I have enough coverage?

Having enough coverage to protect your business against all that go wrong is crucial. If you aren’t sure if what you have is enough, AHI has got your back. Much of what we do is advise you in the way of coverage; we suggest where you might need to fill in your gaps by purchasing new coverage, plus we can identify where you can “trim the fat” a little. We can suggest modifications, limit increases, and more. Give us a call to find a great deal on your contractor insurance.