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Oregon doctors face increasing liability risks and rising insurance costs in 2026. Use this resource to compare carriers, understand your risk, and secure the right protection for your practice.
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What is the Cost of Medical Liability and Malpractice Insurance in Oregon?
What is the Cost of Medical Liability and Malpractice Insurance in Oregon?
These rate estimates are for informational purposes only and are based on the Oregon 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 Oregon
(2026 data, $1M/$3M coverage)
| Specialty | 2026 Annual Premium |
2026 Tail Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Anesthesiology | $18,360 | $36,720 |
| Cardiovascular Disease– Minor Surgery | $14,280 | $28,560 |
| Dermatology– No Surgery | $8,160 | $16,320 |
| Emergency Medicine | $31,620 | $63,240 |
| Family Practice– No Surgery | $10,200 | $20,400 |
| Gastroenterology– No Surgery | $13,260 | $26,520 |
| General Practice– No Surgery | $10,200 | $20,400 |
| General Surgery | $45,900 | $91,800 |
| Internal Medicine– No Surgery | $10,200 | $20,400 |
| Neurology– No Surgery | $12,240 | $24,480 |
| Obstetrics and Gynecology– Major Surgery | $56,100 | $112,200 |
| Occupational Medicine | $7,140 | $14,280 |
| Ophthalmology– No Surgery | $7,140 | $14,280 |
| Orthopedic Surgery– No Spine | $30,600 | $61,200 |
| Pathology– No Surgery | $9,180 | $18,360 |
| Pediatrics– No Surgery | $10,200 | $20,400 |
| Pulmonary Disease– No Surgery | $14,280 | $28,560 |
| Psychiatry | $8,160 | $16,320 |
| Radiology – Diagnostic | $18,360 | $36,720 |
*Note: These rates are approximate, and each individual has unique factors that can affect their premium.
Have a question? Get fast answers from a U.S.-based MEDPLI agent. Call 1-800-969-1339 or email info@medpli.com.
Average Medical Malpractice Payouts in Oregon From 2015-2024
In 2024, Oregon physicians were held liable for 109 medical malpractice payouts.
- Average Payout: $543,571
- Total Payout: $59,249,250
(Source: National Practitioner Data Bank)
Professional Liability Insurance Options for Oregon Physicians
Physicians in Oregon 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 higher premiums at the start of the policy, but the rate remains constant throughout the policy’s duration.
- Physicians do not need tail coverage when an occurrence policy ends.
Rising Home Insurance Rates: The Hidden Impact on Medical Malpractice Costs
When wildfires, earthquakes, or other severe storms strike Oregon, the impact extends far beyond physical destruction and emotional distress. These disasters send shockwaves through the entire insurance industry, triggering rate hikes across multiple sectors as insurers grapple with the growing risk of frequent, weather-driven catastrophes.
Why Are Insurance Rates Rising?
How Medical Malpractice Insurance Is Affected
Reinsurance providers now impose higher premiums and stricter payout thresholds on primary insurers. As a result, insurance carriers pass these costs onto policyholders, driving up medical malpractice premiums for healthcare providers in Oregon.
What Is the Oregon Cap on Medical Malpractice Lawsuits?
Oregon has a complicated and dramatic history with tort reform, marked by a frequent pattern of the Oregon Supreme Court reversing damage cap legislation:
- 1982: Oregon passes a $500,000 cap on non-economic damages.
- 1999: Oregon Supreme Court ruled the cap unconstitutional.
- 2004: Damage cap legislation was reproposed, but narrowly defeated.
- 2013: Oregon Supreme Court ruled damage caps unconstitutional, again.
- 2016: Oregon reversed the ruling.
- 2020: Oregon Supreme Court struck down the cap again.
As of 2026, the current status of Oregon medical malpractice damage caps is as follows:
- Economic Damages – No Cap
- Non-Economic Damages – A $500,000 cap applies to non-economic damages in wrongful death scenarios
- Punitive Damages – No Cap (only permitted for claims against hospitals and health systems, not individual providers)
Oregon follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which states that an injured plaintiff cannot recover damages if found to be more than 50% fault for the injury. At less than 50% fault, the injured plaintiff can recover damages at a reduced amount corresponding to their degree of fault.
What Is the Oregon Medical Malpractice Statute of Limitations?
In Oregon, the statute of limitations depends on the type of claim and the patient’s age:
- Medical Malpractice: 2 years from discovery (or date of reasonable discovery)
- Wrongful Death: 3 years after death
- Minors can file lawsuits up to 1 year after their 18th birthday, or 5 years after the date of injury, whichever occurs first.
Exceptions can include:
- Fraudulent concealment
- Absence of Defendant
- Mental incapacity of Plaintiff
Canceled or Non-Renewed?
MEDPLI Is Your Best Ally.
Oregon 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, Oregon physicians:
Oregon Medical Malpractice Insurance FAQ
Oregon does not require physicians to carry medical malpractice insurance under state law. That said, most hospitals, health systems, and credentialing boards require proof of coverage before granting privileges. Even physicians in private practice typically maintain coverage because a single claim can expose them to significant financial risk.
Risk exposure plays a major role. Specialties that involve surgery, emergency care, or higher complication risk tend to see more claims and larger payouts, which increases premiums. Claims history, location, and even how long you’ve been practicing can also influence pricing.
Many physicians are surprised to learn that different carriers may price the same doctor very differently. That’s one reason MEDPLI compares multiple insurers instead of relying on a single quote.
It depends on your career plans. Claims-made policies usually cost less upfront but require tail coverage if you change jobs, retire, or switch carriers. Occurrence policies cost more initially but don’t require tail insurance later.
Physicians who anticipate moving their practices or relocating often spend time carefully reviewing this decision. A good advisor can walk through long-term costs, not just the first-year premium.
Get Your Quote for Medical Malpractice Insurance in Oregon
Whether you’re a bariatric surgeon in Portland or an OB/GYN in Bend, MEDPLI will provide you with 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. For malpractice insurance questions, you can contact Max here.
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