Commercial Insurance
Cover for the clinical decisions you make every day
Medical malpractice insurance — professional indemnity in a clinical setting — is designed to cover claims of negligence against healthcare practitioners, including the legal costs of defending them, subject to policy terms.
Who needs medical malpractice cover
Malpractice cover applies across clinical and support roles — physicians, nurses, dentists, chiropractors, pharmacists, therapists, counsellors and allied health professionals, as well as medical facilities, alternative medicine practitioners, students and residents, and healthcare administrators.
It exists so that a claim doesn't stop you practising while it's being resolved.
Two kinds of liability to cover
A healthcare practice carries professional risk and everyday premises risk. They're covered by different policies, and most practices need both.
From our clients
“We used KeyInsure to insure our business pack and medical malpractice cover, and they could not have been more helpful and professional in our dealings with them. Regrettably we had a claim with our laser equipment breakdown, and the KeyInsure team was extremely supportive, responsive and efficient throughout the entire process, which was a big help. We recommend them highly.”
Balabala Laser ClinicWhat affects your premium
Malpractice cover is priced on your discipline and the procedures you perform.
Discipline and procedures
Higher-risk procedures and specialities attract higher premiums than consultation-based practice.
Hours and patient numbers
Part-time practitioners are often rated differently from full-time.
Limit of cover
A higher limit costs more. Contracts and site requirements often set the minimum you need.
Retroactive date
How far back past treatment is covered. A longer retroactive period generally costs more.
Claims history
Past claims — yours and, in some cases, the industry’s — affect what insurers offer.
Registration and accreditation
Current registration, accreditation and continuing education are usually required and can help at renewal.
Common questions
Why practitioners carry it
- Legal costs are covered — Defence costs, settlements and judgments are met by the policy, within its limits and terms, rather than by you.
- It's often a condition of practice — Licensing, accreditation and hospital privileges commonly require it, as do many employment contracts.
- Cover continues after you stop — Tail (run-off) cover responds to claims made after you retire or change careers, for work done while you were insured.
- Patients have recourse — Cover means a patient affected by an error has a path to compensation that doesn't depend on your personal finances.
What's included differs between insurers — your policy schedule will specify the scope, limits and exclusions.
Is medical malpractice insurance compulsory?
For registered health practitioners in Australia, holding appropriate professional indemnity is generally a condition of registration. Many employers, hospitals and accreditation bodies also require it.
Am I covered by my employer’s policy?
Often only while acting within the scope of your employment. Private work, locum work and work in other settings may not be covered, so many practitioners hold their own policy as well.
What is run-off cover?
Cover for claims made after you retire or stop practising, relating to treatment provided while you were insured. Because claims can arrive years later, run-off matters.
Does it cover complaints to a regulator?
Many policies include costs for responding to complaints, investigations and disciplinary proceedings, subject to the policy terms.
Related cover
Ready when you are
General advice only. Consider the relevant PDS & TMD before acquiring any product.