Arizona Professional Liability - 2025 Guide
Arizona malpractice insurance premiums are relatively expensive compared to many states, despite having fewer malpractice claims per 100 physicians and lower per capita payouts than the national average. This disparity is due to constitutional barriers that limit the state's ability to pass significant tort reform measures, maintaining a challenging legal environment for physicians.
Medical Malpractice Insurance Requirements in Arizona
Arizona does not mandate malpractice insurance for physicians. However, hospitals and healthcare systems typically 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 Arizona
Claims-made policies are more commonly purchased in Arizona, though occurrence policies are 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 Arizona
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).
MICA
MedPro
The Doctors Company
ProAssurance
Malpractice Insurance Cost in Arizona
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 | $17,400 | $10,548 |
| Cardiovascular Disease - Minor Surgery | $21,400 | $16,419 |
| Dermatology - No Surgery | $10,600 | $5,907 |
| Emergency Medicine | $27,400 | $18,142 |
| Family Practice - No Surgery | $13,900 | $8,438 |
| Gastroenterology - No Surgery | $15,000 | $10,548 |
| General Surgery | $45,000 | $25,924 |
| Internal Medicine - No Surgery | $14,800 | $9,704 |
| Neurology - No Surgery | $18,500 | $13,079 |
| Obstetrics and Gynecology - Major Surgery | $64,900 | $44,300 |
| Occupational Medicine | $9,600 | $5,907 |
| Ophthalmology - No Surgery | $9,000 | $5,907 |
| Orthopedic Surgery - No Spine | $37,400 | $25,924 |
| Pathology - No Surgery | $11,100 | $8,438 |
| Pediatrics - No Surgery | $13,200 | $7,594 |
| Psychiatry | $8,900 | $5,907 |
| Pulmonary Disease - No Surgery | $17,800 | $13,079 |
| Radiology - Diagnostic | $18,000 | $11,813 |
Working with Medical Malpractice Insurance Brokers in Arizona
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.
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.
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Arizona Statute of Limitations
Arizona requires malpractice claims to be filed within two years of the date of the injury or its discovery. However, no claims can be filed more than three years after the alleged malpractice, except in cases involving minors or fraud. For minors under seven years old, claims must be filed before their tenth birthday.
Tort Reform in Arizona
Arizona's attempts at tort reform have been largely unsuccessful due to constitutional restrictions prohibiting caps on damages and limiting legislative authority to alter jury verdicts. While limited reforms, such as stricter expert witness requirements, have been enacted, they have not significantly reduced malpractice premiums. Increased competition among insurers has provided some relief for physicians seeking coverage.