Illinois Professional Liability - 2025 Guide
Physicians in Illinois face some of the highest malpractice premiums in the nation, particularly in Cook County, where costs are significantly higher than in other areas of the state. Despite some reductions in premiums in recent years, Illinois remains a challenging environment for physicians due to its unfavorable legal climate and large jury awards. ISMIE Mutual Insurance Company is the largest insurer in Illinois.
Medical Malpractice Insurance Requirements in Illinois
Illinois does not require physicians to carry medical malpractice insurance. However, most hospitals and health systems mandate that their affiliated physicians maintain coverage. The most 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 Illinois
Claims-made policies are more commonly purchased in Illinois, although 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 Illinois
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).
ISMIE
MedPro
ProAssurance
The Doctors Company
Malpractice Insurance Cost in Illinois
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 | $34,600 | $11,111 |
| Cardiovascular Disease - Minor Surgery | $43,800 | $15,740 |
| Dermatology - No Surgery | $15,700 | $6,627 |
| Emergency Medicine | $59,000 | $17,544 |
| Family Practice - No Surgery | $29,200 | $9,527 |
| Gastroenterology - No Surgery | $34,900 | $11,696 |
| General Surgery | $81,100 | $24,853 |
| Internal Medicine - No Surgery | $32,100 | $11,392 |
| Neurology - No Surgery | $35,700 | $13,158 |
| Obstetrics and Gynecology - Major Surgery | $116,100 | $41,422 |
| Occupational Medicine | $19,800 | $6,516 |
| Ophthalmology - No Surgery | $22,200 | $5,800 |
| Orthopedic Surgery - No Spine | $78,900 | $24,853 |
| Pathology - No Surgery | $19,000 | $8,284 |
| Pediatrics - No Surgery | $26,100 | $8,783 |
| Psychiatry | $21,200 | $4,398 |
| Pulmonary Disease - No Surgery | $27,700 | $11,696 |
| Radiology - Diagnostic | $36,100 | $12,014 |
Working with Medical Malpractice Insurance Brokers in Illinois
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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Illinois Statute of Limitations
Illinois has a two-year statute of limitations for filing malpractice claims from the date of discovery. However, there is also a four-year statute of repose, barring actions filed more than four years from the date of the alleged malpractice. For minors, the statute of limitations extends until the minor's 22nd birthday.
Tort Reform in Illinois
Illinois has experienced multiple attempts at tort reform, including a 2005 Medical Liability Reform Act that capped non-economic damages at $500,000 for physicians and $1 million for hospitals. However, the Illinois Supreme Court struck down this cap in 2010 as unconstitutional. Other reforms, such as limits on attorney fees, have been implemented, but large jury awards remain common in counties like Cook and Madison.