Iowa Professional Liability - 2025 Guide
Iowa offers some of the lowest malpractice insurance premiums in the country, supported by its favorable legal climate. The state's juries are generally less inclined to award large settlements, contributing to stable insurance rates.
Medical Malpractice Insurance Requirements in Iowa
Iowa does not mandate malpractice insurance for physicians. However, many healthcare facilities require coverage for privileges. Typical 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 Iowa
Claims-made policies are more commonly purchased in Iowa, 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 Iowa
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
Curi
Liberty
MedPro
Malpractice Insurance Cost in Iowa
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 | $7,800 | $5,212 |
| Cardiovascular Disease - Minor Surgery | $10,100 | $7,035 |
| Dermatology - No Surgery | $4,600 | $3,389 |
| Emergency Medicine | $15,200 | $11,574 |
| Family Practice - No Surgery | $6,700 | $4,429 |
| Gastroenterology - No Surgery | $7,700 | $6,250 |
| General Surgery | $20,800 | $13,926 |
| Internal Medicine - No Surgery | $7,000 | $5,212 |
| Neurology - No Surgery | $8,300 | $6,151 |
| Obstetrics and Gynecology - Major Surgery | $31,200 | $21,623 |
| Occupational Medicine | $4,600 | $3,309 |
| Ophthalmology - No Surgery | $5,200 | $3,250 |
| Orthopedic Surgery - No Spine | $19,500 | $13,926 |
| Pathology - No Surgery | $5,600 | $4,429 |
| Pediatrics - No Surgery | $6,100 | $4,429 |
| Psychiatry | $5,000 | $3,389 |
| Pulmonary Disease - No Surgery | $7,900 | $6,266 |
| Radiology - Diagnostic | $8,200 | $6,151 |
Working with Medical Malpractice Insurance Brokers in Iowa
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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Iowa Statute of Limitations
Medical malpractice claims must be filed within two years of the injury or its discovery. Exceptions apply for cases involving foreign objects or minors under the age of eight, where the statute of limitations may extend.
Tort Reform in Iowa
Iowa's tort reforms include: i) a $250,000 cap on noneconomic damages (except in cases involving substantial or permanent impairment, disfigurement, or death), ii) mandatory certificates of merit for filing malpractice lawsuits, iii) joint liability reform (limiting a defendant's responsibility to their proportion of fault if it is less than 50%), and iv) collateral source rule reform ensuring that compensation reflects actual financial losses. These measures contribute to Iowa's physician-friendly liability climate and affordable malpractice insurance rates.