Nebraska Professional Liability - 2025 Guide
Nebraska's medical malpractice insurance market is highly favorable for physicians, offering some of the lowest premiums in the nation. This stability is largely due to the state's Hospital-Medical Liability Act of 1976 and the Nebraska Excess Liability Fund.
Medical Malpractice Insurance Requirements in Nebraska
Nebraska requires physicians to carry malpractice insurance with minimum limits of $500,000 per claim and $1 million annual aggregate. The first amount is how much your insurance provider will pay per claim, and the second amount indicates your annual limit. Physicians participating in the Nebraska Excess Liability Fund receive additional coverage up to $2.25 million. Beyond the minimum levels, physicians may opt for higher coverage depending on their specialty and practice risks.
Occurrence vs Claims-Made Malpractice Policies in Nebraska
Claims-made policies are more commonly purchased in Nebraska, though occurrence policies are also 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 Nebraska
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
COPIC
Curi
MedPro
Malpractice Insurance Cost in Nebraska
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 | $3,900 | $3,195 |
| Cardiovascular Disease - Minor Surgery | $5,400 | $4,917 |
| Emergency Medicine | $8,200 | $7,013 |
| Family Practice - No Surgery | $3,200 | $2,703 |
| Gastroenterology - No Surgery | $4,000 | $2,703 |
| General Practice - No Surgery | $3,200 | $2,703 |
| General Surgery | $9,800 | $9,427 |
| Internal Medicine - No Surgery | $3,500 | $2,703 |
| Neurology - No Surgery | $4,000 | $2,703 |
| Obstetrics and Gynecology - Major Surgery | $15,900 | $15,712 |
| Occupational Medicine | $2,500 | $2,458 |
| Ophthalmology - No Surgery | $2,300 | $2,200 |
| Orthopedic Surgery - No Spine | $9,400 | $9,427 |
| Pathology - No Surgery | $2,900 | $2,703 |
| Pediatrics - No Surgery | $3,200 | $2,703 |
| Psychiatry | $2,500 | $2,514 |
| Pulmonary Disease - No Surgery | $4,000 | $2,703 |
| Radiology - Diagnostic | $4,600 | $4,557 |
Working with Medical Malpractice Insurance Brokers in Nebraska
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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Nebraska Statute of Limitations
Nebraska's statute of limitations for malpractice claims is two years from the date of the alleged negligent act or one year from discovery of the injury. However, no claim can be filed more than ten years after the alleged act. For minors under 21, the statute extends to one year past their 21st birthday.
Tort Reform in Nebraska
Nebraska's tort reforms include: i) the Hospital-Medical Liability Act establishing the Nebraska Excess Liability Fund for high-cost claims, ii) total recoverable damages capped at $2.25 million for participating physicians, iii) optional medical review panels (plaintiffs may waive this review), iv) a limit on the surcharge for the Excess Liability Fund to no more than 50% of a physician's primary premium, and v) restrictions on noneconomic damages to maintain affordability in the liability market.