Top 5 Malpractice Insurance Carriers in Missouri
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 Missouri physicians.
2025 Missouri Malpractice Insurance Rates by Specialty
These rate estimates are for informational purposes only and are based on the MO 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 | $19,000 | $38,000 |
| Cardiovascular Disease– Minor Surgery | $21,000 | $42,000 |
| Dermatology– No Surgery | $10,000 | $20,000 |
| Emergency Medicine | $33,000 | $66,000 |
| Family Practice– No Surgery | $15,000 | $30,000 |
| Gastroenterology– No Surgery | $17,000 | $34,000 |
| General Practice– No Surgery | $15,000 | $30,000 |
| General Surgery | $50,000 | $100,000 |
| Internal Medicine– No Surgery | $15,000 | $30,000 |
| Neurology– No Surgery | $19,000 | $38,000 |
| Obstetrics and Gynecology– Major Surgery | $77,000 | $154,000 |
| Occupational Medicine | $10,000 | $20,000 |
| Ophthalmology– No Surgery | $10,000 | $20,000 |
| Orthopedic Surgery– No Spine | $48,000 | $96,000 |
| Pathology– No Surgery | $10,000 | $20,000 |
| Pediatrics– No Surgery | $12,000 | $24,000 |
| Pulmonary Disease– No Surgery | $17,000 | $34,000 |
| Psychiatry | $10,000 | $20,000 |
| Radiology – Diagnostic | $19,000 | $38,000 |
Missouri Medical Malpractice Payouts From 2015-2023
Types of Professional Liability Insurance for Missouri Physicians
Types of Professional Liability Insurance for Missouri Physicians
Physicians in Missouri 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, Missouri physicians were held liable for 105 medical malpractice payouts.
- Average Payout: $342,885
- Total Payout: $36,003,000
(Source: National Practitioner Data Bank)
Does Missouri Have Damage Caps for Medical Malpractice Lawsuits?
While Missouri does not have an economic damages cap, Missouri Senate Bill 239 established non-economic damage caps for medical malpractice lawsuits in 2015. The caps, which depend on injury type and have increased by 1.7% every year since inception, start at $400,000 for non-catastrophic injuries and $700,000 for catastrophic injuries.
2025 Non-Economic Damage Caps:
- Non-Catastrophic Injury: $473,445
- Catastrophic Injury: $828,529
In subsequent years, the non-economic damage caps will continue to increase by 1.7% per year.
Missouri Statute of Limitations for Medical Malpractice Claims
According to Revised Statutes of Missouri, an action for medical malpractice damages shall be filed within:
- 2 years from the date of the alleged injury.
- 2 years from date of discovery (subject to a 10-year cap).
Exceptions:
- If a foreign object left inside the patient’s body causes harm, an action can be filed up to two years after the date of discovery.
- Minor plaintiffs can file an action up until their 20th birthday.
Why Missouri 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, Missouri physicians:
MEDPLI helps doctors in every specialty.
Whether you’re an OB/GYN in St. Louis or a Podiatrist in Boonville, MEDPLI will find you premier coverage at a competitive rate. Call 800-969-1339 or Request a Quote.
