Physician Assistant Malpractice Insurance

Physician assistants (PAs) share in the diagnostic and prescribing responsibility of a care team, which brings real malpractice exposure. This page explains whether PAs need their own coverage, what specialty carriers cover, and how they compare.

Physician Assistant Liability Insurance at a Glance

Do you need it?: Recommended: an employer's policy protects the practice first and often excludes license defense.
Who needs it: All practicing PAs — especially those in surgery, emergency medicine, or multi-employer and locum roles.
Typical coverage limits: Up to $1M / $3M (Proliability) up to $1M / $6M (CM&F)
Annual cost (estimated): ~$500–$1,500 / yr (industry estimate; see note)
Policy form: Occurrence

* Figures above are estimated ranges, not exact quotes. Actual premiums vary by specialty, state, years in practice, and coverage limits. Always confirm with the carrier's live quote.

The “Get Quote” links below are affiliate links (rel="sponsored"). We may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you.

Compare Carriers

Carrier	Coverage limits	Policy form	License defense	Rating
CM&F Group Up to $1M/claim, $6M aggregate; license defense + telemedicine included; individual or practice	Up to $1M per claim / $6M annual aggregate	occurrence	✓	4.4	Get Quote
Proliability (Mercer) Up to $1M/$3M; HIPAA $50,000; licensing board reimbursement $25,000/incident	Up to $1M / $3M aggregate	occurrence	✓	4.4	Get Quote

“Get Quote” links are affiliate links (rel="sponsored"). Ratings and coverage figures are aggregated information, not exact quotes.

Why PAs should carry their own malpractice insurance

Professional liability insurance for physician assistants — also called malpractice or errors & omissions (E&O) insurance — protects you against claims arising from patient care. As with other clinicians, an employer's policy is written to protect the practice first, and a disciplinary action or malpractice lawsuit can affect both your career and your finances.

Proliability's PA plan lists limits up to $1M/$3M, HIPAA coverage $50,000, and Licensing Board Reimbursement $25,000 per incident / $100,000 per policy period.
CM&F offers up to $1M per claim / $6M aggregate with license defense and telemedicine included, plus options for individuals and PA-owned practices.
An individual policy is portable and follows you between employers and assignments.

Occurrence vs claims-made (PAs)

Occurrence coverage protects incidents that happen during the policy period regardless of when the claim is filed — no tail coverage needed. Proliability and CM&F offer portable occurrence coverage for PAs. If your employer's policy is claims-made, confirm whether you'll have an extended reporting period (tail) after you leave.

What Peers Say

“Purchasing my own malpractice insurance — talk to me like I'm new”
— r/physicianassistant

“Paying for your own malpractice insurance”
— r/physicianassistant

“Malpractice Insurance”
— r/physicianassistant

Frequently Asked Questions

Do physician assistants need their own malpractice insurance? +

It's recommended. Employer policies protect the practice first and often exclude individual license defense. A personal, portable policy keeps your interests first and follows you between roles.

How much does PA malpractice insurance cost? +

PA premiums vary widely by specialty (surgery and EM cost more) and state, commonly cited in the $500–$1,500/yr range. Note: this is an industry estimate; the carrier pages we reviewed publish coverage details rather than a set premium, so confirm with the carrier's live quote.

What does a PA policy cover? +

Core professional liability up to $1M/$3M (Proliability) or $1M/$6M (CM&F), typically plus license defense, HIPAA, and — at CM&F — telemedicine coverage.

Related guides

Do You Need Your Own Malpractice Insurance? A Straight Answer
A straight decision framework: who almost always should buy their own malpractice insurance, who has a weaker case, and why the low premium makes it a near-default.
Consent to Settle: The Policy Clause That Protects Your Name
Consent-to-settle gives you the right to approve or reject a settlement—without it, your insurer can settle without your input, potentially affecting your license and career.
Occurrence vs. Claims-Made Malpractice Insurance: Which Do You Actually Need?
A clear breakdown of occurrence vs. claims-made malpractice insurance, including the tail-coverage trap and a practical recommendation for individual practitioners.
Physician Assistant Liability Guide: Coverage for Expanding Practice Authority
Expanding PA practice authority and prescribing power mean greater autonomy—and greater liability. Here’s how to choose the right coverage.
Prescribing Liability for NPs and PAs: Why Your Prescription Pad Raises Your Malpractice Risk
Prescribing isn't just writing a script—it's a high-risk act that can trigger a lawsuit even from a routine visit, and employer coverage often leaves you exposed.
Telehealth Liability: What Changes When You Treat Patients Remotely
Treating patients remotely changes your liability risks—here's what you need to know about coverage across state lines, tech failures, and the limits of virtual exams.

Last reviewed: 2026-07-07