Colorado Professional Liability - 2025 Guide
Colorado's medical malpractice insurance market is considered stable, with moderate premiums supported by comprehensive tort reforms passed in the 1980s. Caps on damages and rules such as the certificate of review requirement for lawsuits have helped maintain predictability in the market.
Medical Malpractice Insurance Requirements in Colorado
Colorado requires physicians to carry minimum malpractice insurance coverage of $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 Colorado
Claims-made policies are more commonly purchased in Colorado, 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 Colorado
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).
COPIC
MedPro
The Doctors Company
Liberty
Malpractice Insurance Cost in Colorado
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 | $16,200 | $9,147 |
| Cardiovascular Disease - Minor Surgery | $18,900 | $8,799 |
| Dermatology - No Surgery | $8,100 | $4,693 |
| Emergency Medicine | $25,400 | $14,958 |
| Family Practice - No Surgery | $11,500 | $5,866 |
| Gastroenterology - No Surgery | $13,800 | $5,866 |
| General Practice - No Surgery | $11,500 | $5,866 |
| General Surgery | $41,500 | $19,068 |
| Internal Medicine - No Surgery | $11,500 | $5,866 |
| Neurology - No Surgery | $13,900 | $5,866 |
| Obstetrics and Gynecology - Major Surgery | $53,400 | $36,590 |
| Occupational Medicine | $7,300 | $3,980 |
| Ophthalmology - No Surgery | $7,400 | $4,337 |
| Orthopedic Surgery - No Spine | $33,400 | $19,068 |
| Pathology - No Surgery | $9,700 | $4,693 |
| Pediatrics - No Surgery | $10,600 | $5,866 |
| Psychiatry | $6,900 | $4,301 |
| Pulmonary Disease - No Surgery | $15,400 | $5,866 |
| Radiology - Diagnostic | $16,800 | $5,866 |
Working with Medical Malpractice Insurance Brokers in Colorado
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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Colorado Statute of Limitations
Colorado requires malpractice claims to be filed within two years of the injury or discovery of the injury but no more than three years after the alleged act of malpractice. For minors under six years old, claims must be filed before the child's eighth birthday.
Tort Reform in Colorado
Colorado's 1988 Health Care Availability Act (HCAA) capped non-economic damages at $250,000 (later raised to $300,000) and total damages at $1 million. The HCAA also implemented reforms such as periodic payments, certificates of review, and limits on vicarious liability. These measures have contributed to Colorado's stable malpractice insurance environment.