Skip to content
423 reviews · Rating: 5.0
★★★★★
Call Us Today! 1-800-969-1339 | info@medpli.com
423 reviews · Rating: 5.0
★★★★★

Read Our 2026 California Medical Malpractice Insurance Buyers Guide

  • SERVICES
    • Telemedicine Insurance
    • Tail Insurance
    • Private Practice Insurance
    • Medical Practice Risk Assessment
    • Medical Facility Insurance
    • Group Insurance
    • Healthcare Staffing Insurance
    • Consulting
  • SPECIALTIES
    • Anesthesiologists
    • Bariatric Surgeons
    • Cardiologists
    • Dermatologists
    • Family Medicine
    • Gastroenterologists
    • General Surgeons
    • Hospitalists
    • Internists
    • Interventional Radiologists
    • Ketamine Infusion Therapy
    • Medical Spas
    • Midwives
    • Neurologists
    • Neurosurgeons
    • OB/GYNs
    • Orthopedic Surgeons
    • Otolaryngologists
    • Plastic Surgeons
    • Psychiatrists
    • Radiologists
  • STATE BUYING GUIDES
    • Alabama
    • Alaska
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • California
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • District of Columbia
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Hawaii
    • Idaho
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Kentucky
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Minnesota
    • Mississippi
    • Missouri
    • Montana
    • Nebraska
    • Nevada
    • New Hampshire
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • North Carolina
    • North Dakota
    • Ohio
    • Oklahoma
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Rhode Island
    • South Carolina
    • South Dakota
    • Tennessee
    • Texas
    • Utah
    • Vermont
    • Virginia
    • Washington
    • West Virginia
    • Wisconsin
    • Wyoming
  • FAQs
  • ABOUT
    • About MEDPLI
    • Staff
  • NEWS & BLOG
    • Blog
    • Press
  • CONTACT
  • GET A FREE QUOTE
  • SERVICES
    • Telemedicine Insurance
    • Tail Insurance
    • Private Practice Insurance
    • Medical Practice Risk Assessment
    • Medical Facility Insurance
    • Group Insurance
    • Healthcare Staffing Insurance
    • Consulting
  • SPECIALTIES
    • Anesthesiologists
    • Bariatric Surgeons
    • Cardiologists
    • Dermatologists
    • Family Medicine
    • Gastroenterologists
    • General Surgeons
    • Hospitalists
    • Internists
    • Interventional Radiologists
    • Ketamine Infusion Therapy
    • Medical Spas
    • Midwives
    • Neurologists
    • Neurosurgeons
    • OB/GYNs
    • Orthopedic Surgeons
    • Otolaryngologists
    • Plastic Surgeons
    • Psychiatrists
    • Radiologists
  • STATE BUYING GUIDES
    • Alabama
    • Alaska
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • California
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • District of Columbia
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Hawaii
    • Idaho
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Kentucky
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Minnesota
    • Mississippi
    • Missouri
    • Montana
    • Nebraska
    • Nevada
    • New Hampshire
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • North Carolina
    • North Dakota
    • Ohio
    • Oklahoma
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Rhode Island
    • South Carolina
    • South Dakota
    • Tennessee
    • Texas
    • Utah
    • Vermont
    • Virginia
    • Washington
    • West Virginia
    • Wisconsin
    • Wyoming
  • FAQs
  • ABOUT
    • About MEDPLI
    • Staff
  • NEWS & BLOG
    • Blog
    • Press
  • CONTACT
  • GET A FREE QUOTE

1-800-969-1339

GET A FREE QUOTE

Comparing Tail Coverage FAQ

  1. Home
  2. Comparing Tail Coverage FAQ
  • Latest
  • Buying Guides
  • General Surgeon
  • Med Spa
  • Neurosurgeons
  • OB/GYN
  • Orthopedic Surgeon
  • Plastic Surgeon
  • Anesthesiologist
  • Radiologist
  • Cardiologist
  • Gastroenterologist
  • Neurologist
  •

    Going Bare (Not Recommend)

    Max Schloemann|November 11th, 2025|

    Ending a claims-made policy without buying tail or any replacement [...]

    Read More
  •

    Employer-Provided Coverage

    Max Schloemann|November 11th, 2025|

    Some employers provide ongoing liability or tail coverage for former [...]

    Read More
  •

    Extended Reporting Period (ERP)

    Max Schloemann|November 11th, 2025|

    A built-in or optional feature of a claims-made policy that [...]

    Read More
  •

    Occurrence Policy

    Max Schloemann|November 11th, 2025|

    Covers any incident that happens during the policy period, regardless [...]

    Read More
  •

    Nose Coverage (Prior Acts Coverage)

    Max Schloemann|November 11th, 2025|

    Lets your new insurer cover claims for work you did [...]

    Read More

MEDPLI medical liability insurance logo
MEDPLI is an independent insurance practice specializing in medical professional liability insurance. Through our A-rated insurance partners, we provide insurance solutions to doctors and healthcare providers in the United States.

  • Home
  • Services
    • Telemedicine Insurance
    • Tail Insurance
    • Private Practice Insurance
    • Medical Practice Risk Assessment
    • Medical Facility Insurance
    • Group Insurance
    • Consulting
    • Healthcare Staffing Insurance
  • Specialties
    • Anesthesiologists
    • Bariatric Surgeons
    • Cardiologists
    • Dermatologists
    • Family Medicine
    • Gastroenterologists
    • General Surgeons
    • Hospitalists
    • Internists
    • Ketamine Infusion Therapy
    • Medical Spas
    • Midwives
    • Neurologists
    • Neurosurgeons
    • OB/GYNs
    • Orthopedic Surgeons
    • Otolaryngologists
    • Plastic Surgeons
    • Psychiatrists
    • Radiologists
  • State Buying Guides
  • FAQs
  • About
    • Staff
  • News & Blog
    • In The News
  • Privacy Policy

Telephone: 800-969-1339

Email: info@medpli.com

MEDPLI Insurance Services
1740 Innovation Drive, Ste. 44
Carbondale, IL 62903

epay button

The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute insurance or legal advice.  MEDPLI is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.

MEDPLI Insurance Services, LLC is an independent insurance broker dedicated to helping doctors find the coverage that best fits their professional needs.

MEDPLI © 2026 All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy
LinkedInFacebookYouTubeInstagramX
Page load link
Tail coverage term lengths range from 1 year to unlimited. Standard terms are for 2, 3, and 5 years.

Expert tip: Choose tail coverage that extends beyond your state’s malpractice claim statute of limitations. Most physicians prefer unlimited-term policies for lasting protection, even if shorter options cost less.

Without tail insurance coverage, a physician can be financially liable for future claims from patient care that occured during the lapsed claims-made policy period. This liability can range from thousands to millions of dollars, based on the severity of the claim.

Expert Tip: Use our Medical Malpractice Payouts By State Tool to get a sense of what the medical malpractice payout landscape is like in different states.

Tail insurance should be secured by the last day of the active claims-made policy. Often, the incumbent carrier offers a 30-day window after the policy lapses for a doctor to exercise the option to buy their tail policy. We recommend that you pursue standalone quotes before accepting an incumbent offer. Starting that process when you decide to change employers will provide more opportunities to compare quotes and secure the best rate.

Expert Tip: If you’re planning to leave your employer or have already done so, reach out to a medical malpractice insurance broker right away. Timing is critical for securing proper coverage.

Each medical specialty has its own insurance risk profile, which may require specialized tail insurance. A policy must reflect the exact circumstances of a physician’s practice and cover all services provided.
Tail coverage protects doctors against any future claims that have yet to be reported.
What does tail insurance typically cover?
Tail insurance covers any financial liability associated with a medical malpractice claim.
This includes:
  • Legal fees
  • Expert witnesses
  • Settlements
  • Any damages awarded to the plaintiff
When is tail coverage necessary?
Tail coverage is necessary is specific situations, primarily for professionals and organizations that use claims-made insurance policies. There are four common instances when it’s needed:

  1. When You’re Leaving a Claims-Made Policy
  2. When Switching Insurers or Jobs
  3. When Retiring or Closing a Practice
  4. When Contractually Required

Tail insurance protects you from claims made after your claims-made policy ends. It covers incidents that occurred while you were insured but are reported later, after your policy’s cancellation date. Without tail coverage, you’d be personally responsible for any lawsuits or legal costs that arise afterward, which can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Expert Tip: When changing jobs, review your insurance program with an experienced broker who knows how to navigate the fine print and ensure you’re protected.

Get a Quote

First Step - Step 1 of 2
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Loading

Go to Top