Malpractice Insurance In Connecticut
Protecting Yourself as a New Doctor
If you’re a new doctor just stepping out into the field, it’s important to proceed with caution when it comes to protecting yourself. After all, you’re helping many people with their health and in return, those patients are trusting you to provide them with quality and safe care. Whatever they need and however bleak the outlook may be, how they’re treated is incredibly important.
With that being said, it’s important to protect yourself because sometimes, the best-laid plans don’t go the way you’d hoped. Some might feel as though their experience within the healthcare system was, in fact, justified to file a lawsuit. While they’re in their right to do so, healthcare professionals should provide themselves with insurance coverage if this were to happen.
What is malpractice insurance?
Malpractice insurance is a form of professional liability insurance. Healthcare professionals benefit from this type of insurance whenever there’s a lawsuit filed against them.
Malpractice insurance also covers the death of a patient, so it’s important to have this insurance whether or not there’s malpractice.
Why is malpractice insurance important to have?
Most medical doctors and healthcare professionals work in high-pressure, oversubscribed environments. The margin of error is slim, and unfortunately, medical errors are common.
Medical negligence may be pursued when the patient or their loved ones feel there has been an error in diagnosis or treatment.
According to a Johns Hopkins study, over 250,000 people in the US die every year because of medical errors.
This is why malpractice insurance in Connecticut is critical. Requirements vary by state, and Connecticut has specific rules for coverage.
What types of malpractice insurance are there to choose from?
- Minimum liability limit in Connecticut: $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 aggregate per policy period.
- Rates in Connecticut tend to be up to 20% higher than in other states.
- Policies can be purchased:
- Individually or as a group from private insurers
- From a medical risk retention group
- Through an employer (e.g., hospital)
- Workers in federal health centers do not need to obtain malpractice insurance due to federal immunity laws.
Top Insurance Carriers in Connecticut
- Admiral Insurance Company
- American Casualty Company of Reading, Pennsylvania
- CFC Underwriting Ltd
- CM&F Group
- Columbia Casualty Company
- Coverys
- Coverys Specialty Insurance Company
- Doctors Company Insurance Group
- General Star Indemnity
- Hudson Excess Insurance Company
- Ironshore Specialty Insurance Company
- MAG Mutual Insurance Company
- Medical Protective Company
- National Fire & Marine Insurance Company
- ProAssurance Indemnity Company, Inc.
- ProSelect Insurance Company
- TDC Specialty Insurance Company
Take Action Today
The staff at MedMal Advisors know that it’s not simple to treat patients today. We work with you to find Connecticut medical malpractice coverage that can prepare you (and your staff) for whatever’s ahead.
Whether it’s an error in the office or a frivolous claim, finding the right medical malpractice coverage can go a long way toward settling disputes before they have the chance to turn into more serious financial threats. If you're looking for a medical malpractice insurance broker that will go the extra mile for you, contact us today to get the ball rolling.
GET A QUOTE NOWThe state requirements for Connecticut malpractice insurance
Connecticut requires medical professionals to carry professional liability insurance. Minimum coverage is:
- Per occurrence: $500,000
- Annual aggregate: $1,500,000
However, many facilities (physician’s offices, hospitals, outpatient centers) often require:
- $1,000,000 per occurrence
- $4,000,000 aggregate
High-risk specialties may require even higher limits. The Connecticut Medical Examining Board may take action (restriction, suspension, revocation) if required insurance is not maintained.
Coverage varies—some policies include legal fees and medical damages; others may differ.
The benefits of having medical malpractice insurance in place
Reasons to carry medical malpractice insurance include:
- Misdiagnosis: Incorrect or missed diagnosis leading to harm.
- Surgical and medication errors: Mistakes during treatment can lead to legal claims.
- Financial settlements and damages: Insurance can cover:
- Settlement costs
- Compensatory damages
- Attorney and court fees
Claim Data
The National Practitioner Databank (NPDB) is a repository of medical malpractice claim information for healthcare providers in the United States. Following is a summary of data where we can observe the number of malpractice payments, adverse actions, and other disciplinary actions taken against healthcare professionals.
| Year | Payment Count | Total Payments | Average Payment | Max Payment | Over 500K Count | Over 1M Count | Over 5M Count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 168 | $38,938,300 | $231,776 | $1,750,000 | 25 | 3 | 0 |
| 1996 | 131 | $32,892,250 | $251,086 | $4,450,000 | 18 | 4 | 0 |
| 1997 | 148 | $54,144,350 | $365,840 | $4,750,000 | 35 | 6 | 0 |
| 1998 | 151 | $59,949,250 | $397,015 | $2,850,000 | 40 | 13 | 0 |
| 1999 | 162 | $77,473,300 | $478,230 | $3,450,000 | 52 | 19 | 0 |
| 2000 | 175 | $72,156,500 | $412,323 | $4,950,000 | 42 | 14 | 0 |
| 2001 | 181 | $79,574,500 | $439,638 | $3,750,000 | 51 | 19 | 0 |
| 2002 | 185 | $87,386,250 | $472,358 | $4,450,000 | 60 | 15 | 0 |
| 2003 | 232 | $109,745,750 | $473,042 | $5,950,000 | 66 | 21 | 1 |
| 2004 | 176 | $75,611,050 | $429,608 | $3,950,000 | 45 | 16 | 0 |
| 2005 | 161 | $110,995,750 | $689,415 | $7,950,000 | 63 | 29 | 1 |
| 2006 | 183 | $88,187,000 | $481,896 | $4,750,000 | 52 | 17 | 0 |
| 2007 | 162 | $76,922,250 | $474,829 | $3,950,000 | 51 | 14 | 0 |
| 2008 | 135 | $97,629,500 | $723,181 | $11,500,000 | 58 | 20 | 1 |
| 2009 | 135 | $69,360,550 | $513,782 | $2,850,000 | 46 | 15 | 0 |
| 2010 | 116 | $56,856,000 | $490,138 | $2,950,000 | 36 | 13 | 0 |
| 2011 | 140 | $66,900,250 | $477,859 | $2,650,000 | 49 | 8 | 0 |
| 2012 | 95 | $70,068,250 | $737,561 | $14,500,000 | 39 | 10 | 2 |
| 2013 | 110 | $52,725,000 | $479,318 | $2,950,000 | 38 | 11 | 0 |
| 2014 | 99 | $62,821,250 | $634,558 | $2,950,000 | 41 | 15 | 0 |
| 2015 | 149 | $81,793,750 | $548,951 | $5,450,000 | 55 | 15 | 1 |
| 2016 | 112 | $60,188,750 | $537,400 | $3,650,000 | 45 | 11 | 0 |
| 2017 | 137 | $100,025,250 | $730,111 | $7,450,000 | 64 | 16 | 2 |
| 2018 | 121 | $94,626,000 | $782,033 | $5,350,000 | 65 | 18 | 1 |
| 2019 | 95 | $63,973,750 | $673,408 | $4,950,000 | 48 | 10 | 0 |
| 2020 | 88 | $56,512,000 | $642,182 | $1,750,000 | 45 | 15 | 0 |
| 2021 | 78 | $54,635,000 | $700,449 | $4,450,000 | 43 | 7 | 0 |
| 2022 | 135 | $99,168,250 | $734,580 | $7,850,000 | 67 | 15 | 2 |
| 2023 | 129 | $89,063,750 | $690,417 | $4,450,000 | 61 | 13 | 0 |
| 2024 | 119 | $85,034,250 | $714,574 | $4,750,000 | 66 | 14 | 0 |
No healthcare professional wants to face a lawsuit, but coverage is essential protection when things go wrong despite best efforts.
Cover yourself as a healthcare professional in Connecticut
If you’re looking for malpractice insurance in Connecticut, consider working with MedMal Advisors for help and guidance. They are a trusted resource to ensure you receive the coverage you need—protecting both your career and peace of mind.
Make sure you are fully covered to safely and confidently continue your work as a healthcare professional in Connecticut.