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What is the Cost of Medical Liability and Malpractice Insurance in Missouri?
What is the Cost of Medical Liability and Malpractice Insurance in Missouri?
These rate estimates are for informational purposes only and are based on the Missouri standard limits of $1,000,000 per claim and $3,000,000 aggregate per year.
Quotes require a completed application and underwriter approval. Contact us for a custom estimate if you don’t see your specialty.
Average Cost of Medical Malpractice Insurance
by Specialty in Missouri
(2026 data, $1M/$3M coverage)
| Specialty | 2026 Annual Premium |
2026 Tail Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Anesthesiology | $19,380 | $38,760 |
| Cardiovascular Disease– Minor Surgery | $21,420 | $42,840 |
| Dermatology– No Surgery | $10,200 | $20,400 |
| Emergency Medicine | $33,660 | $67,320 |
| Family Practice– No Surgery | $15,300 | $30,600 |
| Gastroenterology– No Surgery | $17,340 | $34,680 |
| General Practice– No Surgery | $15,300 | $30,600 |
| General Surgery | $51,000 | $102,000 |
| Internal Medicine– No Surgery | $15,300 | $30,600 |
| Neurology– No Surgery | $19,380 | $38,760 |
| Obstetrics and Gynecology– Major Surgery | $78,540 | $157,080 |
| Occupational Medicine | $10,200 | $20,400 |
| Ophthalmology– No Surgery | $10,200 | $20,400 |
| Orthopedic Surgery– No Spine | $48,960 | $97,920 |
| Pathology– No Surgery | $10,200 | $20,400 |
| Pediatrics– No Surgery | $12,240 | $24,480 |
| Pulmonary Disease– No Surgery | $17,340 | $34,680 |
| Psychiatry | $10,200 | $20,400 |
| Radiology – Diagnostic | $19,380 | $38,760 |
Average Medical Malpractice Payouts in Missouri From 2019-2025
In 2025, Missouri physicians were held liable for 206 medical malpractice payouts.
- Average Payout: $458,953
- Total Payout: $94,544,500
(Source: National Practitioner Data Bank)
Professional Liability Insurance Options 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.
What Is the Missouri Damage Cap on Medical Malpractice Lawsuits?
While Missouri does not have an economic damages cap, the 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.
2026 Non-Economic Damage Caps:
- Non-Catastrophic Injury: $481,493
- Catastrophic Injury: $842,614
In subsequent years, the non-economic damage caps will continue to increase by 1.7% per year.
What Is the Statute of Limitations In Missouri For Medical Malpractice?
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.
Canceled or Non-Renewed?
MEDPLI Is Your Best Ally.
Missouri Physicians & Surgeons 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:
Missouri Medical Malpractice Insurance FAQ
Missouri Medical Malpractice Insurance FAQ
Missouri doesn’t legally require physicians to carry malpractice insurance. But in reality, most doctors still need it. Hospitals, group practices, and credentialing boards almost always require coverage before you can practice.
Even if it’s not required, going without medical malpractice insurance in Missouri puts your personal assets at risk. Most physicians choose coverage not because they have to, but because the risk isn’t worth it.
The best policy isn’t just about price. It’s about finding the right carrier for your specialty, risk profile, and long-term plans.
Instead of going to one company at a time, most physicians work with a broker who can compare options. MEDPLI shops multiple A-rated carriers for you, negotiates pricing, and walks you through the details so you can make a confident decision without spending hours researching.
Missouri caps non-economic damages (such as pain and suffering), but not economic damages (such as medical bills or lost income).
The caps increase slightly every year and are higher for catastrophic injuries. That means, while there is a limit, total exposure in a lawsuit can still be significant, depending on the case.
This is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make.
- Claims-made coverage only protects you if the policy is active when the claim is filed. If you leave or cancel, you’ll likely need tail coverage.
- Occurrence coverage protects you for any incident that happens during the policy period, even if the claim comes years later.
Claims-made is usually cheaper upfront, but occurrence can be simpler long term. MEDPLI helps you compare both side by side so you’re not making that decision blindly.
Get Your Missouri Medical Malpractice Insurance Quote
Whether you’re an OB/GYN in St. Louis or a neurosurgeon in Boonville, MEDPLI will find you premier coverage at a competitive rate.
Call 800-969-1339 or Request a Quote.
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About the Author
Max Schloemann is a medical malpractice insurance broker helping physicians and surgeons secure Medical Professional Liability coverage. A Magna Cum Laude graduate of Southern Illinois University’s College of Business, he was named Outstanding Management Senior.
Max began his career in 2008 at an industry-leading firm and founded MEDPLI in 2017 to guide private practice doctors and physicians in transition through the complexities of malpractice insurance.
Outside of work, Max, his wife Kristen (a Physician Assistant), and their four kids enjoy the outdoors and attending the kids’ sporting events. Contact Max for malpractice insurance questions.
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