
As a chiropractor, one of the most significant expenses you'll face is chiropractic malpractice insurance cost. The cost of malpractice insurance can vary depending on factors such as your location, years of experience, and the type of practice you have.
On average, chiropractic malpractice insurance premiums can range from $1,000 to $10,000 per year.
The cost of malpractice insurance can be a significant financial burden for many chiropractors, and it's essential to understand what factors contribute to the cost.
What You Need to Know
Our Guide to Malpractice Insurance can help you choose your policy and understand chiropractic malpractice insurance costs. Understanding these costs is crucial for any chiropractor.
Malpractice insurance can protect you from costly lawsuits and reputational damage. This type of insurance can provide financial support in case of a malpractice claim.
Chiropractic malpractice insurance costs vary depending on factors like your location, experience, and the type of policy you choose. Our Guide to Malpractice Insurance can help you navigate these costs.
You can find more information on choosing a policy and understanding costs in Our Guide to Malpractice Insurance.
Understanding Costs
Some policies can be as affordable as $25 per month, while others may cost up to $100 monthly.
The average cost for a million-dollar liability insurance policy is between $350 and $750 per year.
Your location can significantly impact your insurance costs, with states and cities having a higher cost of living resulting in higher insurance rates.
Chiropractors' Insurance Costs
Chiropractors' insurance costs can vary significantly depending on several factors. Some policies may cost as little as $25 per month, while others can be closer to $100 monthly.
The average cost for a million-dollar liability insurance policy is between $350 and $750 per year. This cost can be influenced by the size of your practice and the level of coverage you desire.
In some states, chiropractors may be required to carry malpractice insurance, also known as professional liability insurance. For example, chiropractors in Florida must have malpractice insurance with a $100,000 per-occurrence limit and a $300,000 aggregate limit.
Some employers may also mandate malpractice insurance as part of their contracts. This can include government agencies, healthcare networks, and hospitals.
To give you a better idea, here's a breakdown of some state requirements:
Having the right insurance coverage can shield your business from costly lawsuits and protect your practice.
Types of Business Chiropractors Need
Chiropractors need various types of business insurance to cover common risks. These insurance policies help protect their practice from unexpected events.
Professional liability insurance is one of the essential types of insurance for chiropractors.
This type of insurance covers damages or losses resulting from professional negligence or errors.
Chiropractors also need property insurance to protect their business assets, such as equipment, furniture, and building.
This insurance helps cover damages or losses due to theft, vandalism, or natural disasters.
Business interruption insurance is another crucial type of insurance for chiropractors.
This insurance helps cover lost revenue and expenses when the practice is temporarily closed due to unforeseen events.
Insurance Options
Chiropractic malpractice insurance can be a significant expense for chiropractors, but there are several insurance options available to help manage costs.
Professional liability insurance, also known as malpractice insurance, is a must-have for chiropractors to protect themselves against lawsuits.
The cost of chiropractic malpractice insurance varies depending on factors such as location, years of experience, and type of practice.
On average, chiropractors can expect to pay between $2,000 and $5,000 per year for malpractice insurance.
Some insurance companies offer discounts for chiropractors who purchase multiple policies or have a good claims history.
For example, some companies offer a 10% discount for chiropractors who purchase both professional liability and business insurance policies.
Professional Liability
Professional liability insurance is a must-have for chiropractors. It covers legal expenses if a patient sues over an error, such as a chiropractic treatment that worsens back pain, and is also referred to as medical malpractice insurance.
Chronic pain from a chiropractic adjustment, accusations of negligence, and mistakes in chiropractic care are all covered under professional liability insurance. Depending on the number of employees and whether the business owns a vehicle, workers' comp coverage and commercial auto insurance may also be required.
Here are some examples of what professional liability insurance covers:
- Chronic pain from a chiropractic adjustment
- Accusations of negligence
- Mistakes in chiropractic care
Note: These examples are not exhaustive, but they give you an idea of what kind of situations professional liability insurance can help with.
Professional Liability Importance
Professional liability insurance is a must-have for chiropractors, as it protects them from costly lawsuits. Anything can happen that could lead to a lawsuit, and the large cost of someone else's medical expenses for bodily injuries could cost your practice a large sum of money out of pocket.
A claim could easily cost you over $75,000 if it goes to court. Professional liability insurance makes the necessary payments to the individual, costing you little out of pocket and not harming your budget.
In some states, you may need to have professional liability insurance, so make sure to discuss the laws with an agent to determine if it's a necessity for your profession and state. This is crucial to avoid any potential fines or penalties.
Professional liability insurance covers legal expenses if a patient sues over an error, such as a chiropractic treatment that worsens back pain. It's also referred to as medical malpractice insurance.
Some common reasons why patients might sue include chronic pain from a chiropractic adjustment, accusations of negligence, and mistakes in chiropractic care. These are all serious issues that can be costly to defend against.
Here are some factors that can impact the price of professional liability insurance:
- Experience: How long you've been in practice and whether you've had prior claims will impact pricing.
- Coverage: Occurrence and Claims-made policies have different pricing structures.
- Location: Some states and counties experience more malpractice claims than others, driving up coverage costs.
These factors can vary depending on the insurance company and the specific policy you choose. It's essential to discuss your options with an agent to determine the best coverage for your practice.
Chiropractor Information
Chiropractors need to be aware of their liability insurance options to protect their practice. Chiropractic liability insurance is different from malpractice insurance.
It covers injuries that occur on your property, such as if a patient slips and falls in the parking lot. This type of insurance will cover any medical payments you'd be responsible for paying to the individual.
Liability insurance also covers damages to someone's property, as well as lawsuits for slander or privacy violations. This can protect you if you unknowingly used someone else's slogan or marketing material.
However, this insurance doesn't cover claims related to employee injuries or accidental harm to patients during an adjustment. Those claims would be covered under worker's compensation insurance and malpractice insurance.
Some states require chiropractors to carry malpractice insurance, classifying them as physicians. In Florida, for example, you must have malpractice insurance with a $100,000 per-occurrence limit and a $300,000 aggregate limit.
Even if not required, malpractice insurance can be beneficial for chiropractors. It can help you get a business license, as is the case in some states.
Chiropractic Malpractice Insurance
Chiropractic malpractice insurance is a crucial aspect of running a successful chiropractic practice. It's essential to understand how much it costs and what factors affect the price.
The cost of chiropractic malpractice insurance varies widely, with some policies costing as little as $25 per month. Others can be closer to $100 monthly, with the average for a million-dollar liability insurance policy falling between $350 and $750 per year.
The cost of living in your area can impact the price of your insurance, with some states and cities having a higher cost of living that's reflected in insurance costs. The size of your practice will also impact your cost, as will the level of coverage you desire.
Some states classify chiropractors as physicians, requiring them to carry malpractice insurance. However, even in states where it's not required, malpractice insurance can be beneficial for chiropractors.
To get a business license, you may need to have malpractice insurance, with some states requiring specific coverage limits. For example, chiropractors in Florida must have malpractice insurance with a $100,000 per-occurrence limit and a $300,000 aggregate limit.
Your employer may also mandate malpractice insurance, especially if you work for a government agency, healthcare network, or hospital. Without insurance, legal costs could close your practice, even if you do everything right.
Here are some reasons why chiropractors may need to carry a malpractice insurance policy:
- To get a business license, depending on the state your business operates in
- Your employer mandates it, especially in government agencies, healthcare networks, and hospitals
- Risk management, to protect yourself from legal costs in case of a frivolous malpractice claim
Factors Affecting Cost
The cost of chiropractic malpractice insurance can vary significantly depending on several factors. Your professional factors, such as experience, coverage, and location, play a big role in determining the price.
Experience, for instance, is a key factor, with longer practitioners and those with prior claims facing higher premiums. Coverage type also matters, with Occurrence and Claims-made policies having different pricing structures.
Location is another crucial factor, with some states and counties experiencing more malpractice claims than others, driving up coverage costs.
Here are some of the key factors that affect the cost of chiropractic malpractice insurance:
Your malpractice insurance company's factors, such as claims, operating costs, and profit, also impact the price of your policy.
What Determines Chiropractic Care Prices?
The cost of chiropractic care can vary, but did you know that the price of chiropractic malpractice insurance is determined by industry claims trends and two sets of factors?
Industry claims trends play a significant role in shaping the cost of chiropractic malpractice insurance, with higher claims trends leading to higher premiums.
Two sets of factors drive the cost of chiropractic malpractice insurance, which we'll explore in more detail below.
These factors are used to structure pricing at MedPro Group, the carrier behind ChiroPreferred, and are a key consideration for chiropractors looking to purchase malpractice insurance.
Differing Carrier Pricing

Insurance carriers have their own methods for weighing factors to determine pricing, known as underwriting. This process can result in varying prices for similar policies.
Some carriers may offer a lower initial premium, but this can lead to higher costs in the long run. This is because they may not spend much on claims defense, passing the "savings" along to you.
The top chiropractic malpractice insurance companies have different approaches to underwriting and pricing. This can lead to significant variation in pricing between carriers.
Be cautious of carriers that offer lower prices to get you to buy a policy. They may raise your premium over time or skimp on claims defense.
The carrier's business philosophy and unique risks also play a role in determining pricing. This is why it's essential to read the fine print and ask about additional coverages to understand the full scope of your policy.
Your Professional Factors:
Your professional factors can significantly impact the cost of liability insurance for your chiropractic practice. Experience, for instance, plays a crucial role in pricing, with longer-standing practices and those without prior claims generally paying less.
The type of coverage you choose is also a factor, with Occurrence and Claims-made policies having different pricing structures.
Location is another key consideration, as some states and counties experience more malpractice claims than others, driving up coverage costs.
Here are some specific factors to keep in mind:
- Experience: The longer you've been in practice, the lower your premiums may be.
- Coverage: Occurrence policies are often more expensive than Claims-made policies.
- Location: Malpractice claims vary by state and county, affecting insurance costs.
These factors can all impact your insurance costs, so it's essential to carefully consider them when selecting a policy.
Your Company’s Factors:
Your Company's Factors:
Your insurance company's factors can significantly impact the cost of your malpractice insurance.
A majority of your premium should be set aside to protect you in the event of a claim. This is crucial for covering potential losses.
The insurance company also sets aside money for operating costs, such as keeping the lights on and taking care of employees. This is a necessary expense for the company's day-to-day operations.
Profit is also a factor, as insurance companies need to make a margin to stay in business. This is a common practice in the insurance industry.
Here are the main factors that affect your insurance company's costs:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is malpractice insurance per month?
Malpractice insurance costs vary widely, ranging from $10 to several thousand dollars per month, depending on the profession and level of risk. Find out how much malpractice insurance costs for your specific healthcare role.
Sources
- https://chiropreferred.com/new-chiropractors
- https://thekac.org/2024/04/01/understanding-the-cost-of-malpractice-insurance-for-chiropractors/
- https://tivly.com/chiropractor-liability-insurance
- https://msainsurance.com/business/chiropractors
- https://www.insureon.com/healthcare-professionals-business-insurance/chiropractors
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