Massachusetts Professional Liability - 2025 Guide
Massachusetts features some of the highest malpractice insurance costs in the country, particularly for specialists. Despite this, the state's robust market with numerous insurers and risk purchasing groups ensures competition, helping to stabilize premium increases.
Medical Malpractice Insurance Requirements in Massachusetts
Massachusetts mandates malpractice insurance for physicians, requiring minimum liability limits of $100,000 per claim and $300,000 annual aggregate. However, physicians regularly purchase higher limits such as $1M / $3M based on their specialty and risk profile. The first amount is how much your insurance provider will pay per claim, and the second amount indicates your annual limit. Many physicians also opt for policies with higher limits, particularly in high-risk specialties or institutional settings.
Occurrence vs Claims-Made Malpractice Policies in Massachusetts
Claims-made policies are more commonly purchased in Massachusetts, 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 Massachusetts
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).
Coverys
MedPro
Liberty
Controlled Risk
Malpractice Insurance Cost in Massachusetts
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 | $19,700 | $8,389 |
| Cardiovascular Disease - Minor Surgery | $23,800 | $10,991 |
| Dermatology - No Surgery | $7,500 | $4,627 |
| Emergency Medicine | $32,900 | $17,354 |
| Family Practice - No Surgery | $17,600 | $6,652 |
| Gastroenterology - No Surgery | $14,100 | $9,835 |
| General Surgery | $45,600 | $17,354 |
| Internal Medicine - No Surgery | $17,900 | $7,955 |
| Neurology - No Surgery | $21,600 | $9,835 |
| Obstetrics and Gynecology - Major Surgery | $75,600 | $28,924 |
| Occupational Medicine | $11,900 | $4,627 |
| Ophthalmology - No Surgery | $12,900 | $4,050 |
| Orthopedic Surgery - No Spine | $39,500 | $17,354 |
| Pathology - No Surgery | $15,900 | $5,785 |
| Pediatrics - No Surgery | $14,600 | $6,652 |
| Psychiatry | $12,700 | $4,627 |
| Pulmonary Disease - No Surgery | $15,300 | $9,835 |
| Radiology - Diagnostic | $15,900 | $8,389 |
Working with Medical Malpractice Insurance Brokers in Massachusetts
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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Massachusetts Statute of Limitations
Malpractice claims must be filed within three years of the alleged injury. The statute of repose limits claims to seven years after the incident, except in cases involving foreign objects left in a patient's body. For minors under age six, claims must be filed by their ninth birthday.
Tort Reform in Massachusetts
Massachusetts has enacted several tort reforms, including: i) a $500,000 cap on noneconomic damages (with exceptions for severe injuries involving permanent impairment or disfigurement), ii) mandatory pre-litigation tribunals to assess the merit of claims before trial, iii) limits on attorney fees for malpractice cases, and iv) the 2012 Disclosure, Apology & Offer (DA&O) model, which encourages transparency and early resolution of claims (apologies and offers made under this model are inadmissible in court). These measures have contributed to a structured liability environment while maintaining avenues for patient recourse.