Top 5 Malpractice Insurance Carriers in South Carolina
We recommend carriers with an AM Best “A” or higher rating. An A-rating indicates financial strength, long-term solvency, and an established history of protecting South Carolina physicians.
2025 South Carolina Malpractice Insurance Rates by Specialty
These rate estimates are for informational purposes only and are based on the SC standard limits of $1,000,000 for Each Claim / $3,000,000 Aggregate per year in coverage.
Quotes require a completed application and underwriter approval. Contact us for a custom estimate if you don’t see your specialty.
| Specialty | 2025 Annual Premium |
2025 Tail Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Anesthesiology | $21,000 | $42,000 |
| Cardiovascular Disease– Minor Surgery | $19,000 | $38,000 |
| Dermatology– No Surgery | $8,000 | $16,000 |
| Emergency Medicine | $32,000 | $64,000 |
| Family Practice– No Surgery | $11,000 | $22,000 |
| Gastroenterology– No Surgery | $15,000 | $30,000 |
| General Practice– No Surgery | $11,000 | $22,000 |
| General Surgery | $48,000 | $96,000 |
| Internal Medicine– No Surgery | $11,000 | $22,000 |
| Neurology– No Surgery | $12,000 | $24,000 |
| Obstetrics and Gynecology– Major Surgery | $71,000 | $142,000 |
| Occupational Medicine | $7,000 | $14,000 |
| Ophthalmology– No Surgery | $8,000 | $16,000 |
| Orthopedic Surgery– No Spine | $44,000 | $88,000 |
| Pathology– No Surgery | $8,000 | $16,000 |
| Pediatrics– No Surgery | $11,000 | $22,000 |
| Pulmonary Disease– No Surgery | $18,000 | $36,000 |
| Psychiatry | $8,000 | $16,000 |
| Radiology – Diagnostic | $23,000 | $46,000 |
South Carolina Medical Malpractice Payouts From 2015-2023
Rising Home Insurance Rates: The Hidden Impact on Medical Malpractice Costs
When hurricanes and other severe storms hit South Carolina, the damage isn’t just physical—it drives up insurance costs statewide. As extreme weather events become more frequent, insurers must raise rates to cover growing risks. But the impact goes beyond homeowners—businesses, including medical professionals, also feel the squeeze.
Why Are Insurance Rates Rising?
How Medical Malpractice Insurance Is Affected
Reinsurance providers now charge higher premiums and impose stricter payout conditions. In response, primary insurers increase premiums, including for medical malpractice coverage in South Carolina.
Severe weather isn’t just a coastal problem—it’s reshaping insurance costs for everyone.
Types of Professional Liability Insurance for South Carolina Physicians
Types of Professional Liability Insurance for South Carolina Physicians
Physicians in South Carolina can choose between these two primary types of medical malpractice insurance:
- Provides coverage for incidents that occurred during the policy period IF the claim is filed while the policy is still active. If a claim is filed after the policy ends, that claim is NOT covered.
- Typically, it offers lower premiums at the start of the policy, but rates increase yearly as the policy matures.
- Physicians must obtain tail insurance coverage when a claims-made policy ends to ensure protection against future claims related to incidents that occurred during the policy period. Tail insurance premiums require a one-time cash payment equal to approximately 200% of the claims-made policy’s annual premium.
- Provides coverage for incidents that occurred during the policy period, regardless of when a claim is reported to the carrier.
- Typically, it offers more costly premiums at the start of the policy, but the rate stays constant throughout the policy’s duration.
- Physicians do not need tail coverage when an occurrence policy ends.
In 2023, South Carolina physicians were held liable for 126 medical malpractice payouts.
- Average Payout: $413,432
- Total Payout: $52,092,500
(Source: National Practitioner Data Bank)
Does South Carolina Have Damage Caps for Medical Malpractice Lawsuits?
Though economic damages like medical bills and lost wages are not capped, the South Carolina Noneconomic Damage Awards Act of 2005 established a $350,000 limit on medical malpractice non-economic damages. Subject to an annual inflation adjustment based on the Consumer Price Index, this limit increases every year.
2025 Non-economic damage caps (per claimant):
- Single Defendant: $580,461
- Total for Multiple Defendants: $1,741,383
Non-economic damages may include plaintiff’s loss associated with:
- Pain & Suffering
- Emotional Distress
- Depression & Anxiety
In the event of “wilful, wanton, or reckless conduct”, medical malpractice punitive damages may not exceed the greater of $500,000 or 3x the compensatory damages, unless any of the following circumstances apply:
- Intent to harm
- Guilty plea/felony conviction in connection to the injury
- Influence or impairment of alcohol/drugs
South Carolina Statute of Limitations for Medical Malpractice Claims
According to South Carolina Code § 15-3-545, an action to recover damages for a medical malpractice injury must occur within:
- 3 years from the date of treatment or wrongful death
- 3 years from the date of discovery IF less than 6 years from the date of treatment
When a foreign object is left in the body, the 6-year statute of repose does not apply and the plaintiff may file a medical malpractice claim within 2 years of the date of discovery.
Minors’ claims must be filed within 7 years of the date of injury or until their 19th birthday.
Why South Carolina Doctors Partner with MEDPLI
We exclusively broker medical malpractice insurance, focusing daily on making the professional liability process less burdensome and expensive for doctors.
With MEDPLI, South Carolina physicians:
MEDPLI helps doctors in every specialty.
Whether you’re a neurosurgeon in Charleston or a pediatrician in Greenville, MEDPLI will provide you with premier coverage at a competitive rate.
Call 800-969-1339 or Request a Quote.
