Georgia Professional Liability - 2025 Guide
Georgia has seen increased competition among malpractice insurers, leading to opportunities for physicians to secure lower premiums. The state's liability environment has improved following reforms enacted in response to a medical liability crisis in the early 2000s.
Medical Malpractice Insurance Requirements in Georgia
Physicians in Georgia are not required to carry malpractice insurance. However, many hospitals and healthcare facilities mandate coverage for staff privileges. Typical policy limits 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 Georgia
Claims-made policies are more commonly purchased in Georgia, though occurrence policies remain an option for those seeking long-term coverage stability.
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 Georgia
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).
MagMutual
MedPro
The Doctors Company
Curi
Malpractice Insurance Cost in Georgia
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 | $16,800 | $8,285 |
| Cardiovascular Disease - Minor Surgery | $19,100 | $10,855 |
| Dermatology - No Surgery | $10,000 | — |
| Emergency Medicine | $27,400 | $14,596 |
| Family Practice - No Surgery | $11,900 | $6,570 |
| Gastroenterology - No Surgery | $14,600 | $9,713 |
| General Practice - No Surgery | $12,000 | — |
| General Surgery | $39,000 | $17,140 |
| Internal Medicine - No Surgery | $12,100 | $7,857 |
| Neurology - No Surgery | $16,100 | $9,713 |
| Obstetrics and Gynecology - Major Surgery | $70,000 | $49,891 |
| Occupational Medicine | $8,900 | $4,559 |
| Ophthalmology - No Surgery | $9,000 | $4,000 |
| Orthopedic Surgery - No Spine | $36,700 | $17,140 |
| Pathology - No Surgery | $10,800 | $5,713 |
| Pediatrics - No Surgery | $12,200 | $7,736 |
| Psychiatry | $9,100 | $4,570 |
| Pulmonary Disease - No Surgery | $15,600 | $9,713 |
| Radiology - Diagnostic | $14,800 | $8,285 |
Working with Medical Malpractice Insurance Brokers in Georgia
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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Georgia Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations for malpractice claims in Georgia is generally two years from the date of the injury or death but no more than five years from the act or omission. For minors, the statute begins on their fifth birthday if the malpractice occurred before they turned five.
Tort Reform in Georgia
Significant reforms were enacted in 2005 with Senate Bill 3, which introduced measures such as the requirement for expert affidavits, joint and several liability reforms, and periodic payment options. A $350,000 cap on non-economic damages was declared unconstitutional in 2010, but other provisions remain intact, contributing to a stable insurance market and lower premiums for physicians.