Neurosurgeons need strong medical malpractice insurance policies due to the high-risk nature of their specialty.
A study by the New England Journal of Medicine found that neurosurgeons are sued more often than any other physician, with 19% of neurosurgeons facing a claim annually and 80% expected to encounter a claim in their career. While they are well compensated for the complexity of the surgeries they perform, neurosurgeons also experience medical malpractice insurance premiums that are among the highest of any specialty.
MEDPLI works with A-rated carriers that offer great rates on medical malpractice insurance for neurosurgeons. With us, you will get robust protection and save thousands of dollars on your premium each year.
Neurosurgeon Medical Malpractice Insurance Rates
Costly medical malpractice insurance premiums for neurosurgeons have a direct effect on the practice of the specialty. Surveys show that neurosurgeons limit the type of care they provide out of fear of malpractice lawsuits, and rising insurance premiums are causing many specialists to consider early retirement. With so much at risk, neurosurgeons need to periodically re-evaluate their current malpractice insurance program with a broker to ensure they have the right coverage at the lowest available rates.
Rates for medical malpractice insurance for neurosurgeons are also heavily impacted by the physician’s location. See below for average rates by location for neurosurgeons. Mature claims-made estimates below are for informational purposes only. Occurrence coverage may be available. To get your personalized rate estimate, please request a quote.
| City | State | Premium Estimate | Limits of Liability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | AL | $60,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Little Rock | AR | $65,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Phoenix | AZ | $80,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Los Angeles | CA | $65,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Denver | CO | $75,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Bridgeport | CT | $90,000 | $1,000,000/$4,000,000 |
| Wilmington | DE | $95,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Washington DC | $135,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 | |
| Miami | FL* | $115,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Miami | FL* | $95,000 | $250,000/$750,000 |
| Atlanta | GA | $85,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Honolulu | HI | $75,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Des Moines | IA | $55,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Boise | ID | $50,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Chicago | IL | $135,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Wichita | KS | $50,000 + KS HCSF | $200,000/$600,000 |
| Louisville | KY | $90,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Indianapolis | IN | $50,000 + IN PCF | $250,000/$750,000 |
| New Orleans | LA | $55,000 + LA PCF | $100,000/$300,000 |
| Boston | MA | $90,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Baltimore | MD | $125,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Portland | ME | $65,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Detroit | MI | $110,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| St. Louis | MO | $90,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Minneapolis | MN | $50,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Jackson | MS | $100,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Billings | MT | $95,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Charlotte | NC | $75,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Fargo | ND | $55,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Omaha | NE | $45,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Manchester | NH | $75,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Albuquerque | NM | $65,000 + NM PCF | $200,000/600,000 (Only Occurrence; no Claims-Made coverage) |
| Newark | NJ | $105,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Las Vegas | NV | $95,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Manhattan, NY | NY | $210,000 | $1,300,000/$3,900,000 |
| Columbus | OH | $95,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Oklahoma City | OK | $80,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Portland | OR | $60,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Philadelphia | PA | $95,000 + MCARE | $500,000/$1,500,000 |
| Providence | RI | $75,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Charleston | SC | $75,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Sioux Falls | SD | $45,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Nashville | TN | $70,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Houston | TX* | $50,000 | $200,000/$600,000 |
| Houston | TX* | $65,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Salt Lake City | UT | $75,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Burlington | VT | $60,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Seattle | WA | $70,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Virginia Beach | VA | $85,000 | $2,450,000/$7,350,000 |
| Milwaukee | WI | $45,000 + PCF | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
|
Charleston
|
WV | $100,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
| Cheyenne | WY | $95,000 | $1,000,000/$3,000,000 |
*These states offer limit options
Why Neurosurgeons Need Medical Malpractice Insurance
Neurosurgery is one of the most frequently sued specialties. Neurosurgeons tend to be sued for:
Most neurosurgery malpractice claims result from dissatisfaction following spinal surgery, although claims after cranial surgery tend to be more expensive. Continued pain, permanent paralysis, nerve damage, the need for additional surgery, and infection are among the most common complaints in lawsuits.
Neurosurgery malpractice payouts are higher than most specialties. According to Top Neuro Docs, from 2006 to 2016 “the average payment for cases that settled was $379,860, the average award for cases tried was $405,350” and it is “estimated that 11 years of a surgeon’s career is spent with a malpractice claim outstanding”.
Though many states have caps on non-economic damages, most states do not have a cap on economic costs caused by the injury. Neurosurgeons also must consider the cost of hiring an attorney when a malpractice case is brought against them.
Because neurosurgeons have a high potential of being sued, it is important they carry robust medical malpractice insurance from A-rated carriers. An A-rated carrier (rated by A.M. Best) will be able to cover:
Though many (not all) states have no legal requirement for neurosurgeons to carry malpractice insurance, most hospitals require it if you want admitting privileges.