Coverage for the care you provide.
Professional liability for physicians, surgeons, dentists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, med spas and allied health providers.
Quick answer Medical malpractice insurance in California is professional liability that pays defense costs and settlements when a patient claims a provider's care caused harm, for physicians, surgeons, dentists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, med spas and allied health.
- Most medical malpractice policies are claims-made, which covers claims reported while the policy is active.
- An occurrence medical malpractice policy covers incidents during the policy period whenever they are reported.
- Tail coverage is an extended reporting period that covers claims reported after a claims-made policy ends, for incidents during the policy.
- California's MICRA rules on medical liability changed in 2023, with caps on non-economic damages rising over time.
- Providers covered by an employer's malpractice policy should confirm whether they are individually named and whether tail coverage is included if they leave.
By Sam Alishahi · CA Insurance License #4348151 · Reviewed October 2026 · How this page is researched
Claims-made, occurrence and tail
Medical malpractice insurance pays defense costs and settlements when a patient claims your care caused harm. Most policies are claims-made, which covers claims reported while the policy is active; leaving a claims-made policy usually calls for extended reporting (tail) coverage or prior-acts coverage on the next policy.
California's MICRA rules on medical liability changed in 2023, with caps on non-economic damages rising over time. I shop malpractice with carriers that write California physicians and allied health, alongside the business insurance for your practice.
- Professional liabilityClaims that your care caused harm.
- Defense costsAttorneys and experts, often with your consent to settle.
- License defenseMedical board complaints, on many policies.
- Tail or prior actsProtection when you change policies or retire.
What underwriters will ask
Having these ready means I can go to market on the first call. The quote form asks for the same things, and anything you don’t know yet can wait.
- Provider: specialty, license and board certification.
- Practice: location, setting and procedures performed.
- Coverage now: carrier, claims-made or occurrence, retro date.
- Limits: what hospitals or contracts require.
- Changes: any move, retirement or group change coming.
- History: prior claims and board actions.
Medical malpractice insurance, answered
What's the difference between claims-made and occurrence?
Occurrence covers incidents during the policy period whenever they're reported. Claims-made covers claims reported while the policy is active, so switching or retiring usually needs tail or prior-acts coverage.
What is tail coverage?
An extended reporting period that covers claims reported after a claims-made policy ends, for incidents during the policy.
Does my employer's policy cover me?
Sometimes. Employed providers should confirm whether they're individually named and whether tail is included if they leave.
What do underwriters rate on?
Specialty, procedures, location, limits and claims history.
Do you offer medical malpractice insurance outside California?
Yes. Clients across the country send the same quote form. California policies are placed directly; outside California the request is handled together with a partner agency in your state, and the shopping across carriers works the same way. Rules, minimums and markets differ by state — see insurance requirements by state.
Send your current policy. I'll shop it.
Your specialty and current declarations page are enough to start.
Alishahi Insurance · Saman Alishahi, independent insurance broker, California License #4348151. General information, not a quote or a promise of coverage; coverage depends on underwriting and the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy actually issued.
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Takes about 30 seconds. I review every request personally and call you back, usually the same day.
(424) 552-4545Answered 24/7 · CA License #4348151
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