Hawaii Professional Liability - 2025 Guide
Premiums for medical malpractice insurance in Hawaii are moderate compared to other states. Rising operational costs and shrinking reimbursement rates have contributed to many physicians taking early retirement or relocating to the mainland. To address access-to-care issues, Hawaii enacted reforms starting in 1995.
Medical Malpractice Insurance Requirements in Hawaii
Hawaii does not require physicians to carry medical malpractice insurance. However, many healthcare facilities mandate coverage for privileges. Common policy limits are $1 million per claim and $3 million annual 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 Hawaii
Claims-made policies are more commonly purchased in Hawaii, 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 Hawaii
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).
MedPro
Liberty
The Doctors Company
HAPI
Malpractice Insurance Cost in Hawaii
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 | $10,700 | $10,150 |
| Cardiovascular Disease - Minor Surgery | $14,600 | $13,298 |
| Dermatology - No Surgery | $6,800 | $5,598 |
| Emergency Medicine | $23,000 | $20,997 |
| Family Practice - No Surgery | $9,700 | $8,048 |
| Gastroenterology - No Surgery | $11,600 | $11,343 |
| General Practice - No Surgery | $9,700 | $8,048 |
| General Surgery | $27,500 | $20,997 |
| Internal Medicine - No Surgery | $10,500 | $9,624 |
| Obstetrics and Gynecology - Major Surgery | $45,900 | $34,994 |
| Occupational Medicine | $5,600 | $5,598 |
| Ophthalmology - No Surgery | $7,000 | $4,900 |
| Orthopedic Surgery - No Spine | $24,700 | $20,997 |
| Pathology - No Surgery | $8,000 | $6,999 |
| Pediatrics - No Surgery | $9,700 | $8,048 |
| Psychiatry | $7,300 | $5,598 |
| Pulmonary Disease - No Surgery | $13,000 | $11,899 |
| Radiology - Diagnostic | $12,200 | $10,150 |
Working with Medical Malpractice Insurance Brokers in Hawaii
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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Hawaii Statute of Limitations
Medical malpractice claims must be filed within two years from the date of injury or discovery of the injury. If the claim involves a minor under the age of 10, it must be filed by the child's 10th birthday or within two years of the injury.
Tort Reform in Hawaii
In 1995, Hawaii enacted reforms including: i) a $375,000 cap on noneconomic damages for pain and suffering, ii) comparative negligence (where claims are barred if the plaintiff's negligence exceeds the combined negligence of all defendants), iii) medical claims conciliation panels (which review claims and provide nonbinding opinions on liability and damages), and iv) joint-and-several liability modifications, reducing defendants' liability to their percentage of fault.