South Dakota Professional Liability - 2025 Guide
South Dakota maintains one of the most favorable medical malpractice environments in the country, with some of the lowest insurance premiums nationwide. The state's tort reforms and historically low claims frequency contribute to this stable environment.
Medical Malpractice Insurance Requirements in South Dakota
South Dakota does not mandate malpractice insurance for physicians. However, most hospitals and healthcare facilities require coverage. Common policy limits are $1 million per occurrence and $3 million 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 South Dakota
Claims-made policies are more commonly purchased in South Dakota, though occurrence policies are available. Claims-made policies typically have lower initial premiums but require tail coverage when terminated.
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 South 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
MedPro
The Doctors Company
Coverys
Malpractice Insurance Cost in South 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 | $7,200 | $4,412 |
| Cardiovascular Disease - Minor Surgery | $10,100 | $6,177 |
| Dermatology - No Surgery | $3,800 | $3,088 |
| Emergency Medicine | $14,500 | $9,706 |
| Family Practice - No Surgery | $6,500 | $4,412 |
| Gastroenterology - No Surgery | $6,700 | $4,412 |
| General Surgery | $17,600 | $11,784 |
| Internal Medicine - No Surgery | $6,600 | $4,412 |
| Neurology - No Surgery | $8,300 | $5,515 |
| Obstetrics and Gynecology - Major Surgery | $26,400 | $19,640 |
| Occupational Medicine | $4,300 | $2,206 |
| Ophthalmology - No Surgery | $4,800 | $2,750 |
| Orthopedic Surgery - No Spine | $17,800 | $11,030 |
| Pathology - No Surgery | $4,500 | $3,530 |
| Pediatrics - No Surgery | $6,000 | $4,412 |
| Psychiatry | $4,200 | $3,142 |
| Pulmonary Disease - No Surgery | $6,700 | $5,515 |
| Radiology - Diagnostic | $6,900 | $5,515 |
Working with Medical Malpractice Insurance Brokers in South 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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South Dakota Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims in South Dakota is two years from the date of the alleged negligent act or when the injury was discovered. For minors under age six, claims must be filed before their eighth birthday.
Tort Reform in South Dakota
South Dakota's tort reforms include: i) a $500,000 cap on noneconomic damages, ii) mandatory pre-trial mediation for malpractice cases, iii) certificate of merit requirements for filing lawsuits, and iv) modified joint and several liability rules limiting defendants' exposure based on their percentage of fault.