North Dakota Professional Liability - 2025 Guide
North Dakota physicians benefit from some of the lowest malpractice insurance premiums in the country, thanks to robust tort reforms and competitive market conditions. The state's legal environment appeals to practitioners in high-risk specialties.
Medical Malpractice Insurance Requirements in North Dakota
North Dakota does not mandate malpractice insurance, but most hospitals and facilities require it. Common limits are $1 million per claim and $3 million annual aggregate, although coverage levels may vary based on specialty and risk exposure.
Occurrence vs Claims-Made Malpractice Policies in North Dakota
Both occurrence and claims-made policies are available in North Dakota. Claims-made policies generally have lower initial premiums but require tail coverage after the policy ends. Occurrence policies cost more but eliminate the need for tail coverage by offering lifetime protection for incidents during the policy term.
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 North Dakota
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
MedPro
Coverys
Malpractice Insurance Cost in North Dakota
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 | $8,300 | $7,353 |
| Cardiovascular Disease - Minor Surgery | $11,500 | $9,634 |
| Dermatology - No Surgery | $4,600 | $4,056 |
| Emergency Medicine | $16,900 | $15,212 |
| Family Practice - No Surgery | $7,500 | $5,831 |
| General Practice - No Surgery | $7,500 | $5,831 |
| General Surgery | $20,500 | $15,212 |
| Internal Medicine - No Surgery | $7,700 | $6,973 |
| Neurology - No Surgery | $9,600 | $8,621 |
| Obstetrics and Gynecology - Major Surgery | $31,800 | $25,353 |
| Occupational Medicine | $4,700 | $3,860 |
| Ophthalmology - No Surgery | $5,500 | $3,550 |
| Orthopedic Surgery - No Spine | $17,300 | $15,212 |
| Pathology - No Surgery | $5,400 | $4,969 |
| Pediatrics - No Surgery | $7,000 | $5,831 |
| Psychiatry | $5,000 | $4,056 |
| Radiology - Diagnostic | $8,300 | $7,353 |
Working with Medical Malpractice Insurance Brokers in North Dakota
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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North Dakota Statute of Limitations
North Dakota imposes a two-year statute of limitations for malpractice claims from the date of the alleged negligent act. In cases of fraud or concealment, the statute can extend up to six years from discovery. For minors under six, claims can be filed until their ninth birthday.
Tort Reform in North Dakota
North Dakota's tort reforms include: i) a $500,000 cap on noneconomic damages in medical liability cases, ii) judicial review of economic damages over $250,000, iii) abolition of joint-and-several liability so each defendant pays only their share of fault, and iv) an expert affidavit requirement within three months of filing (with exceptions for obvious malpractice).