Top 5 Malpractice Insurance Carriers in Arkansas
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 Arkansas physicians.
2025 Arkansas Malpractice Insurance Rates by Specialty
These rate estimates are for informational purposes only and are based on the AR 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 | $15,000 | $30,000 |
| Cardiovascular Disease– Minor Surgery | $15,000 | $30,000 |
| Dermatology– No Surgery | $7,000 | $14,000 |
| Emergency Medicine | $20,000 |
$40,000 |
| Family Practice– No Surgery | $9,000 | $18,000 |
| Gastroenterology– No Surgery | $11,000 | $22,000 |
| General Practice– No Surgery | $9,000 | $18,000 |
| General Surgery | $34,000 | $68,000 |
| Internal Medicine– No Surgery | $10,000 | $20,000 |
| Neurology– No Surgery | $10,000 |
$20,000 |
| Obstetrics and Gynecology– Major Surgery | $60,000 | $120,000 |
| Occupational Medicine | $7,000 | $14,000 |
| Ophthalmology– No Surgery | $7,000 | $14,000 |
| Orthopedic Surgery– No Spine | $30,000 | $60,000 |
| Pathology– No Surgery | $7,000 |
$14,000 |
| Pediatrics– No Surgery | $9,000 | $18,000 |
| Pulmonary Disease– No Surgery | $12,000 | $24,000 |
| Psychiatry | $7,000 | $14,000 |
| Radiology – Diagnostic | $15,000 | $30,000 |
Have a question? Get fast answers from a U.S.-based MEDPLI agent. Call 1-800-969-1339 or email info@medpli.com.
Arkansas Medical Malpractice Payouts From 2015-2023
Types of Professional Liability Insurance for Arkansas Physicians
Physicians in Arkansas 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 need to 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 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 for the entire policy length.
- Physicians do not need tail coverage when an occurrence policy ends.
In 2023, Arkansas physicians were held liable for 48 medical malpractice payouts.
- Average Payout: $532,553
- Total Payout: $25,562,550
(Source: National Practitioner Data Bank)
Does Arkansas Have Damage Caps for Medical Malpractice Lawsuits?
Because the Arkansas Constitution prohibits limits on personal injury damages, medical malpractice lawsuits in Arkansas are not subject to non-economic or economic damage caps.
Except for cases of intentional harm, punitive damages are capped at $250,000, or three times the amount of compensatory damages up to $1,000,000.
Arkansas recognizes the doctrine of modified comparative fault, allowing the court to reduce damages in proportion to the plaintiff’s percentage of blame. For example, if a plaintiff is found responsible for 30% of the fault, he/she only receives 70% of the total damages.
Arkansas Statute of Limitations for Medical Malpractice Claims
According to the Arkansas State Code, an action for medical malpractice damages must be filed within:
- Two years from the date of the alleged injury, or
- Two years from the date of discovery IF a foreign object was left within the plaintiff’s body.
Exceptions for Minors:
- If the plaintiff is under 9 years old at the time of injury, a medical malpractice claim can be filed until their eleventh birthday or two years from the date of injury, whichever is later.
- If the minor’s injury was undiscoverable by age 11, the two-year limit extends until when the injury is discovered or until their nineteenth birthday, whichever is earlier.
Why Arkansas 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, Arkansas physicians:
MEDPLI helps doctors in every specialty.
Whether you’re an Endocrinologist in Fort Smith or a Pediatrician in Conway, MEDPLI will provide you with premier coverage at a competitive rate. Call 800-969-1339 or Request a Quote.
