Quick answer: When comparing medical malpractice insurance, look beyond the headline price. Check your limit of indemnity, whether legal expenses and public liability are included or sit on separate limits, whether cyber and patient insurance add-ons are available, and – just as importantly – the quality of the broker’s claims team and how proactively they manage your cover as your practice changes. Because most insurers’ underlying products are broadly similar, the broker’s service is often the biggest real-world difference between one policy and the next.
Most consultants shopping for medical malpractice insurance focus on the number on the quote. But two policies at a similar price can offer very different protection and very different levels of support if you ever need to make a claim. Here’s what really matters when you compare policies and brokers.
- Check your limit of indemnity
The limit of indemnity is the maximum amount your policy will pay out on a single claim (or in total, depending on the wording). For surgeons, £10 million is a common standard limit, though some insurers offer lower limits, such as £5 million, at a reduced premium.
Before you accept a lower limit to save money, check what your hospital, private group, or regulator requires. An insufficient limit can leave you personally exposed for the shortfall on a large claim.
- Understand what’s included, and what sits on a separate limit
A policy is rarely just “medical malpractice cover.” It’s usually a bundle of protections, and not all of them share the same limit. Ask your broker to break down:
- Legal expenses / regulatory cover: often has its own, smaller limit than your main med-mal cover (for example, £1 million of legal expenses cover alongside a £10 million med-mal limit). A serious regulatory investigation can be expensive, so check this figure specifically rather than assuming it’s included in the headline number.
- Public liability: typically included as standard by insurers, with limits often around £10 million.
- Cyber and privacy cover: offered by some insurers but not universal, and worth asking about explicitly if you hold patient data digitally.
- Patient insurance / corrective care cover: pays for the cost of corrective treatment after a complication in an original procedure, which can help resolve an issue for the patient before it escalates into a formal claim.
None of these are guaranteed extras. They vary by insurer, so it’s worth asking for the specific figures rather than assuming they’re bundled in.
- Judge the broker on service, not just the quote
Because the underlying insurance products on the market are often similar, the broker’s service is usually where the real differences show up. When comparing brokers, ask:
- Is there an in-house claims team? Or are you handed off to a call centre or a third party the moment something goes wrong?
- Will someone explain the policy in plain English? A good broker should point you to the specific clauses worth reading yourself – such as how your policy’s claims basis works – rather than leaving you to interpret dense wording alone.
- Do they check in as your practice grows? This especially important in your first year or two of private practice, when your actual earnings may differ from your original estimate. A broker who proactively reviews projected versus actual earnings can adjust your cover before a gap becomes a problem, rather than after.
- Are they transparent about how cover works at the edges? For example, retroactive dates, or what happens to your cover if you ever switch provider?
- If you trade through a limited company, say so
Many consultants set up a limited company for tax purposes. If that applies to you, make sure your company name (and any staff working under it, such as a PA) are correctly noted on your policy. A claim or invoice could arrive in the company’s name rather than yours personally, so the policy needs to reflect that structure from the outset.
A quick checklist before you renew or switch
- What’s my actual limit of indemnity, and does it match what my hospital or group requires?
- What’s my separate limit for legal expenses or regulatory cover?
- Is public liability included, and at what limit?
- Are cyber cover and patient insurance available as add-ons?
- Does my broker have an in-house claims team?
- Will my broker proactively review my cover as my practice changes?
- If I trade through a limited company, is it correctly reflected on the policy?
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard limit of indemnity for a medical malpractice policy?
£10 million is a common standard for surgeons, though some insurers offer lower limits, such as £5 million, for a reduced premium. The right limit depends on what your hospital or private group requires, not just on cost.
Is legal expenses cover the same as my main indemnity limit?
Not usually. Legal expenses and regulatory cover often sit on a separate, smaller limit from your core medical malpractice cover, so it’s worth checking the specific figure rather than assuming it matches your headline limit.
Why does broker service matter if the insurance product is similar?
Because policies from different insurers are often broadly comparable, the broker’s claims support, communication, and proactive management of your cover tend to be the biggest practical differences you’ll experience. Especially if you ever need to make a claim.
Do I need to tell my broker if I trade through a limited company?
Yes. Your limited company name, and any staff working under it, should be noted on your policy so that cover responds correctly if a claim or invoice is made in the company’s name.
Not sure whether your current policy stacks up? Get a quote and we’ll walk through your limits, add-ons and cover with you. Or request a call back if you’d rather talk it through first.
For more on how contractual cover compares to discretionary MDO cover, read our guide on why you should choose contractual indemnity cover or check our FAQs for quick answers to common questions.