Arkansas Professional Liability - 2025 Guide
Arkansas malpractice insurance premiums are relatively low compared to many states, supported by a moderate legal environment and prior tort reform efforts. While the state has a lower claims frequency than the national average, unpredictable jury verdicts and a history of large awards, such as the $78 million verdict in 2001, have impacted the market.
Medical Malpractice Insurance Requirements in Arkansas
Arkansas does not require physicians to carry malpractice insurance. However, many hospitals and healthcare facilities mandate 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 Arkansas
Claims-made policies are more commonly purchased in Arkansas, 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 Arkansas
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
SVMIC
MedPro
Curi
Malpractice Insurance Cost in Arkansas
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 | $13,000 | $6,628 |
| Cardiovascular Disease - Minor Surgery | $12,900 | $8,134 |
| Dermatology - No Surgery | $7,000 | — |
| Emergency Medicine | $19,000 | $13,712 |
| Family Practice - No Surgery | $8,200 | $5,256 |
| Gastroenterology - No Surgery | $9,900 | $6,115 |
| General Practice - No Surgery | $8,200 | $5,256 |
| General Surgery | $29,600 | $13,712 |
| Internal Medicine - No Surgery | $8,800 | $5,820 |
| Neurology - No Surgery | $10,000 | $6,115 |
| Obstetrics and Gynecology - Major Surgery | $50,900 | $31,559 |
| Occupational Medicine | $6,300 | $3,656 |
| Ophthalmology - No Surgery | $6,400 | $3,200 |
| Orthopedic Surgery - No Spine | $27,600 | $13,712 |
| Pathology - No Surgery | $6,500 | $4,571 |
| Pediatrics - No Surgery | $8,100 | $5,256 |
| Psychiatry | $6,200 | $3,656 |
| Pulmonary Disease - No Surgery | $10,300 | $5,820 |
| Radiology - Diagnostic | $11,700 | $5,820 |
Working with Medical Malpractice Insurance Brokers in Arkansas
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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Arkansas Statute of Limitations
Arkansas requires malpractice claims to be filed within two years of the alleged act or omission. For minors, the statute of limitations begins when the child turns nine years old, ensuring adequate time for claims involving young children.
Tort Reform in Arkansas
Arkansas passed significant tort reforms in 2003 with the Civil Justice Reform Act, which included caps on punitive damages of $250,000 or three times compensatory damages, whichever is greater. However, these caps were declared unconstitutional by the Arkansas Supreme Court in 2011. Other measures, such as stricter standards for imposing punitive damages and limitations on venue shopping, remain in effect. Attempts to introduce further reforms, including damage caps, have faced significant challenges and were blocked in 2016 and 2018 due to constitutional concerns.