Dental Malpractice Insurance

Understanding Professional Liability Insurance for Dentists

Professional liability insurance — frequently called malpractice insurance — is an important coverage for both you and your practice. Having the right type and amount of dental malpractice insurance coverage in place may help protect your assets and prevent you from potential insolvency in the event of a lawsuit.

We offer professional liability insurance through highly rated insurance companies. The policy type, occurrence or claims made, as well as the coverage limits can be tailored to your specific needs.

Professional Liability Insurance for Dentists at a Glance

Although coverage and policies can vary, professional liability insurance generally provides the insurance company’s experience in your malpractice defense, as well as coverage for payments made to the plaintiff.

Coverage is generally available in two types: claims-made policies and occurrence policies.

• • Claims-made policies cover claims made during a designated policy period.
• • Occurrence policies cover incidents that occurred during your coverage period, even when the claim is made later.

• Common malpractice claims include negligence, breach of contract, malpractice, non-performance, and failure to render services.
• You may be held personally liable for judgments higher than the limits of your policy, so it’s important to calculate your coverage limits wisely.
• As the amount of coverage increases, the coverage price (per million dollars) usually decreases.
• Educational risk management courses and training seminars can help you to better understand helpful strategies and may earn you a discount with some carriers.