Michigan Professional Liability - 2025 Guide
Michigan has a stable medical malpractice environment shaped by comprehensive tort reforms implemented in the 1980s and 1990s. Despite these reforms, malpractice claims can arise from various allegations, including treatment discrepancies, perceived negligence, or deviations from accepted medical standards.
Medical Malpractice Insurance Requirements in Michigan
Michigan does not require physicians to carry malpractice insurance, though most hospitals and clinics mandate it. Physicians often purchase policies with limits tailored to their specialties, with higher-risk fields like surgery opting for greater coverage. Typical policy limits include $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 Michigan
Both occurrence and claims-made policies are available. Claims-made policies are initially less expensive but require tail coverage when canceled. Occurrence policies cost more but offer indefinite coverage for incidents during the policy period.
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 Michigan
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).
The Doctors Company
MedPro
ProAssurance
Coverys
Malpractice Insurance Cost in Michigan
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 | $20,600 | $9,010 |
| Cardiovascular Disease - Minor Surgery | $31,800 | $11,805 |
| Dermatology - No Surgery | $11,400 | $4,970 |
| Emergency Medicine | $42,700 | $18,640 |
| Family Practice - No Surgery | $18,900 | $7,145 |
| Gastroenterology - No Surgery | $22,500 | $10,563 |
| General Practice - No Surgery | $18,800 | $7,145 |
| General Surgery | $67,000 | $18,640 |
| Internal Medicine - No Surgery | $22,500 | $8,544 |
| Neurology - No Surgery | $27,700 | $10,563 |
| Obstetrics and Gynecology - Major Surgery | $89,800 | $47,153 |
| Occupational Medicine | $12,700 | $4,970 |
| Ophthalmology - No Surgery | $12,700 | $4,350 |
| Orthopedic Surgery - No Spine | $51,600 | $18,640 |
| Pathology - No Surgery | $14,700 | $6,213 |
| Pediatrics - No Surgery | $17,700 | $7,145 |
| Psychiatry | $12,600 | $4,970 |
| Pulmonary Disease - No Surgery | $24,300 | $9,967 |
| Radiology - Diagnostic | $28,000 | $9,010 |
Working with Medical Malpractice Insurance Brokers in Michigan
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.
Get a QuoteMichigan Claims Payout
Michigan Statute of Limitations
Michigan's statute of limitations for medical malpractice cases is two years from the date of the alleged negligent act or six months from the discovery of the claim, whichever is later. However, no claim can be filed more than six years after the incident, except in cases involving fraud, concealment, or foreign objects left in a patient's body.
Tort Reform in Michigan
Michigan's tort reforms include: i) venue reform requiring claims to be filed in the county where the alleged incident occurred, ii) joint and several liability reform limiting payouts to the proportionate fault of each defendant, iii) a cap on noneconomic damages currently set at $438,800 (adjusted annually), with an elevated cap of $783,500 for catastrophic injuries such as permanent cognitive disability or paralysis, iv) a certificate of merit requirement for filing a malpractice claim, and v) permission for binding arbitration in cases involving damages under $75,000.