West Virginia Professional Liability - 2025 Guide
West Virginia's medical malpractice insurance market has improved significantly since comprehensive reforms in 2003. The state's cap on non-economic damages and other tort reforms have helped stabilize premiums and attract insurers to the market.
Medical Malpractice Insurance Requirements in West Virginia
West Virginia requires physicians to carry minimum coverage of $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 West Virginia
Claims-made policies are more commonly purchased in West Virginia, 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 West Virginia
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).
MagMutual
ProAssurance
The Doctors Company
MedPro
Malpractice Insurance Cost in West Virginia
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 | $22,600 | $14,396 |
| Cardiovascular Disease - Minor Surgery | $26,500 | $18,861 |
| Emergency Medicine | $35,600 | $26,877 |
| Family Practice - No Surgery | $17,900 | $11,415 |
| Gastroenterology - No Surgery | $20,500 | $16,877 |
| General Practice - No Surgery | $17,900 | $11,415 |
| General Surgery | $57,200 | $29,781 |
| Internal Medicine - No Surgery | $18,700 | $13,651 |
| Neurology - No Surgery | $23,700 | $16,877 |
| Obstetrics and Gynecology - Major Surgery | $83,300 | $49,635 |
| Occupational Medicine | $12,200 | $7,940 |
| Ophthalmology - No Surgery | $12,600 | $6,950 |
| Orthopedic Surgery - No Spine | $51,600 | $29,781 |
| Pathology - No Surgery | $16,000 | $9,927 |
| Pediatrics - No Surgery | $17,900 | $11,415 |
| Psychiatry | $13,800 | $7,940 |
| Pulmonary Disease - No Surgery | $23,300 | $16,877 |
| Radiology - Diagnostic | $22,000 | $14,396 |
Working with Medical Malpractice Insurance Brokers in West Virginia
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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West Virginia Statute of Limitations
Medical malpractice claims in West Virginia must be filed within two years of injury or discovery, but no more than ten years from the date of injury. For minors under ten, claims must be filed by their twelfth birthday.
Tort Reform in West Virginia
West Virginia's tort reforms include: i) a $250,000 cap on non-economic damages ($500,000 for catastrophic injuries or death), ii) expert witness qualifications matching the defendant's specialty, iii) pre-filing notice and screening certificate requirements, and iv) periodic payment provisions for future damages exceeding $500,000.