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medical malpractice insurance

Medical malpractice insurance covers the acts, errors, and omissions of physicians and surgeons, encompassing physicians professional liability insurance, hospital professional liability (HPL) insurance, and allied healthcare (e.g., nurses) professional liability insurance.

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Although the majority of policies are written with a claims-made coverage trigger, such coverage is sometimes available on an occurrence basis. Typical exclusions are for intentional/criminal acts, punitive damages, sexual misconduct, and specialized procedures (e.g., radial keratotomy) for which coverage may be "bought back" in return for additional premium. In addition to commercial insurers, medical malpractice coverage is also available in most states through physician-owned insurance companies known as "bedpan mutuals."

Related Terms


Hospital professional liability insurance is purchased by hospitals to cover their liability for...

Allied healthcare professional liability insurance is designed to cover nonphysician healthcare...

A claims-made coverage trigger obligates an insurer to defend and/or pay a claim on an insured's...