California Medical Malpractice Insurance
Compare top-rated insurers and find the best coverage for your practice
Standard Limits
Per Claim / Per Year
Affordability Rank
of 50 states
Average Claim Payout
36th highest state
Damage Caps
California Professional Liability - 2025 Guide
California malpractice insurance premiums are moderate, but the state remains a major venue for claims due to its large population and active legal climate. The Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA) of 1975 has significantly shaped the state's malpractice environment by capping non-economic damages, contributing to overall stability.
Medical Malpractice Insurance Requirements in California
California does not mandate malpractice insurance for physicians. However, most hospitals and healthcare employers require coverage for privileges. Common policy limits purchased are $1 million per occurrence and $3 million aggregate. The first amount is how much your insurance provider will pay per claim, and the second amount indicates your annual limit.
Occurrence vs Claims Made Malpractice Policies in California
Claims-made policies are more commonly purchased in California, though occurrence policies are also available.
Coverage applies to incidents that occur during the policy period, regardless of when the claim is filed.
Coverage applies to claims filed during the policy period, requiring tail coverage for future claims.
Leading Medical Malpractice Insurance Companies in California
In addition to the below insurers, DocShield typically provides your practice with quotes from several other highly rated insurers. Ratings provided by AM Best (the leading insurance credit rating agency).
The Doctors Company
ProAssurance
MedPro
Coverys
Malpractice Insurance Cost in California
The data below represent undiscounted premiums. DocShield is often able to save practices 30-50% relative to these rates.
| Medical Specialty | Average Premium | Lowest Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Anesthesiology | 14,900 | 4,848 |
| Cardiovascular Disease - Minor Surgery | 18,000 | 7,645 |
| Dermatology - No Surgery | 7,800 | 2,644 |
| Emergency Medicine | 28,600 | 11,257 |
| Family Practice - No Surgery | 11,100 | 3,526 |
| Gastroenterology - No Surgery | 13,600 | 5,288 |
| General Practice - No Surgery | 11,600 | 3,526 |
| General Surgery | 38,700 | 15,865 |
| Internal Medicine - No Surgery | 13,400 | 4,407 |
| Neurology - No Surgery | 13,300 | 6,170 |
| Obstetrics and Gynecology - Major Surgery | 54,600 | 18,952 |
| Occupational Medicine | 6,900 | 1,763 |
| Ophthalmology - No Surgery | 6,700 | 2,203 |
| Orthopedic Surgery - No Spine | 34,100 | 13,221 |
| Pathology - No Surgery | 8,200 | 3,966 |
| Pediatrics - No Surgery | 11,000 | 3,605 |
| Plastic Surgery | 25,100 | 11,899 |
| Psychiatry | 6,100 | 2,203 |
| Pulmonary Disease - No Surgery | 17,000 | N/A |
| Radiology - Diagnostic | 14,600 | 5,729 |
Working with Medical Malpractice Insurance Brokers in California
A licensed broker can help you navigate the administrative work involved in getting quotes and the nuances of choosing a policy that fits your particular practice. Importantly, brokers work for you, not a single insurer, so they can shop across multiple insurers to find you the most competitive premium for a high quality policy. This is especially important for medical malpractice insurance policies because premiums often vary significantly for the same doctor from one insurer to another.
Buy Affordable Malpractice Insurance with DocShield
We've built the fastest application process in the industry so you don't have to disrupt your schedule to shop for coverage. After you select a policy, we automatically scan the market every year before renewal to ensure you're paying a fair price.
Our platform streamlines all outpatient coverage needs, including excess policies, tail coverage, and group policies. We typically drive 20-30% premium savings for our customers without sacrificing on coverage quality, which translates to hundreds of thousands in savings for specialists over the course of their careers.
California Claims Payouts
Historical trends of medical malpractice claims and payouts in California
California Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations for malpractice claims in California is three years from the date of the injury or one year from the date the patient discovers, or should have discovered, the injury. For minors under six years old, claims must be filed before the child's eighth birthday. This means a patient must file a lawsuit within these specified time frames, ensuring adequate time for claims involving young children.
Tort Reform in California
California's Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA) of 1975 capped non-economic damages at $250,000, making it one of the earliest states to adopt comprehensive tort reform. In 2022, the cap was revised, increasing limits to $350,000 in 2023 and gradually reaching $750,000 by 2033. MICRA also limited attorney contingency fees, reducing overall litigation costs and ensuring more funds go to plaintiffs.