
EMT malpractice insurance is a type of liability insurance that protects emergency medical technicians (EMTs) from financial losses due to claims of negligence or malpractice.
EMTs are at risk of being sued for medical mistakes, accidents, or other incidents that occur during emergency responses. This risk is particularly high due to the high-stress nature of their job.
To mitigate this risk, EMTs need to have malpractice insurance that covers them in case of a lawsuit. The cost of malpractice insurance varies depending on factors such as the EMT's level of experience, location, and type of certification.
What is EMT Malpractice Insurance?
EMT malpractice insurance is a type of professional liability insurance that protects your career and financial future. It's designed to safeguard your assets, license, and reputation.
Having malpractice insurance is especially important for EMTs, as it brings peace of mind knowing you're covered in case of a mistake or error in your practice. This type of insurance is sometimes called EMT liability insurance.
A unique perspective: Renters Liability Insurance

Professional liability insurance is comprehensive, portable, and flexible, allowing you to work in any state where you're licensed and within your scope of practice. This means you're covered no matter where your career takes you.
CM&F provides the highest rated policies, making it a trusted choice for healthcare professionals who have relied on them for over 100 years.
Why Do EMTs Need Insurance?
EMTs need insurance because they work in high-stakes emergency situations. The stakes are high, and the risk of being sued is real.
EMTs can be held liable even if they're not the primary provider, just for being in the room or ambulance. This is a risk that's worth mitigating with personal EMT malpractice insurance.
Having reliable medical liability insurance is the best protection against allegations of poor professional care. The cost of malpractice insurance for EMTs is relatively low compared to its benefits.
EMT Purpose
EMTs collaborate with other emergency medical personnel such as paramedics to stabilize patients and arrange their reception at medical facilities.

EMTs operate emergency vehicles, which requires a high level of responsibility and accountability.
Assessing patients' conditions and responsiveness to interventions is a critical part of an EMT's job, and they must make decisions quickly and accurately.
EMTs assess the nature or extent of emergency situations, making decisions for the need of additional assistance.
EMT Risks
EMTs face a high risk of being sued due to the nature of their work in emergency situations.
Mistakes can happen even with the best intentions, such as making an incorrect patient assessment or poor record keeping.
As an EMT, you could be held liable for mistakes made by others in the room or ambulance, even if you're not the provider performing the task.
Some common reasons for paramedic malpractice claims include making mistakes while loading and unloading patients, administering the wrong medication, and negligence in cleaning and organizing the vehicle.
Here are some everyday duties that can lead to mistakes or negligence:
- Making an incorrect patient assessment
- Poor record keeping
- Negligence in cleaning and organizing the vehicle
- Administering the wrong medication
Even if a claim isn't valid, legal costs can quickly add up, making it essential to have adequate coverage to protect yourself personally.
Types of Insurance Coverage

As an EMT, you're likely no stranger to the importance of having the right insurance coverage. But did you know that there are several types of insurance you should consider beyond just malpractice insurance?
Malpractice insurance is a necessity, but it's just the starting point. You should also consider general liability insurance to cover bodily injuries and property damage that you cause while on the job.
General liability insurance can help cover the cost of medical expenses and legal fees if you're sued. For example, if you're working on a patient in a store or home and break something valuable, you could be on the hook for replacement costs.
Having your own general liability policy ensures you're always covered, even if you're off-duty or your employer's policy limits are low.
Auto insurance is also a must if you use your own vehicle to get to emergency situations. This can include bodily injury and property damage coverage to protect others if you're involved in an accident.
You might like: Prior Acts Coverage Malpractice Insurance

Collision and comprehensive coverage can help pay for repairs to your vehicle if it's damaged or destroyed at an emergency site.
Here are some key types of insurance coverage to consider:
- General liability: Covers bodily injuries and property damage
- Auto insurance: Covers bodily injury and property damage, as well as collision and comprehensive coverage
Choosing a Provider
CM&F has been protecting healthcare providers since 1919, making them a trusted and reliable option for EMT malpractice insurance.
Their dedication to healthcare professionals has never wavered, and they remain committed to making it easy and cost-effective to secure vital professional insurance coverage.
CM&F offers a wide range of specialties, including Emergency Services, which is a crucial aspect of EMT malpractice insurance.
Their professional liability insurance has been A++ rated, indicating a high level of financial stability and reliability.
CM&F also has a 4.8/5 satisfaction rating, which speaks to their commitment to customer service and satisfaction.
Some key features of CM&F's insurance policies include a direct contact line, superior claims management, and a fast automated application process.
Consider reading: Cm&f Malpractice Insurance

Here are some of the specialties that CM&F covers:
- Emergency Services
- Behavioral Health
- Cardiology, Respiratory, Neurology
- Nurse Practitioner
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Physician Assistant
- Psychology
- Radiation Imaging & Diagnostic
- Surgical
It's essential to verify the policy limits and defense costs when shopping for coverage, as some policies may subtract defense costs from the claim limit, leaving you on the hook for the balance.
Employer and Individual Options
Your employer may carry some type of insurance for paramedics, but policy limits may not be enough to cover you during a serious incident. In fact, the main goal of insurance policies for employers is to protect their business and interests.
Employer policies may not cover you when you're off the clock, such as when moonlighting. This is why having your own paramedics insurance policy can help ensure you're protected.
Policy details to verify when considering a new job include policy limits, claims-made or occurrence, and legal fees. Here are some common policy limits: Up to $1 million for each claim and up to $3 million for the policy year.
Does Employer Carry?

Your employer likely carries some type of insurance for paramedics, but policy limits may not be enough to cover you in a serious incident. In many cases, the main goal of employer insurance is to protect the business, not the paramedic.
Policy limits can vary, but common limits are up to $1 million for each claim and up to $3 million for the policy year. It's essential to verify these limits when considering a new job.
Claims-made and occurrence policies have different advantages. Claims-made policies are more common, but occurrence policies offer some benefits.
Employer policies may not cover you when you're off the clock, making moonlighting a concern. Having your own paramedics insurance policy can ensure you're protected even when you're not working.
Here are some key policy details to verify when considering a new job:
- Policy limits: Check the policy limits to ensure there's enough coverage in case of a major lawsuit.
- Claims-made or occurrence: Understand the differences between these two policy types.
- Legal fees: Verify that your legal defense will be covered, including attorney fees.
Options for Paramedics
As a paramedic, you'll want to consider your options for protecting yourself and your career. One crucial aspect is professional liability insurance, which is essential for shielding you from financial loss due to mistakes or negligence.

This type of insurance is usually medical malpractice, which protects you against professional errors that occur while rendering your services. These policies can cover costs associated with bodily injury, medical expenses, and even claims of mental anguish or pain and suffering.
A medical malpractice policy can also cover the cost of legal defense if you're sued. This is important because these types of cases often involve complex investigations to defend claims when a patient outcome is adverse due to negligence or perceived negligence.
In fact, for the majority of medical malpractice claims, defense costs are the biggest expense. A medical malpractice policy may cover those costs up to the policy limits, which can be a financial lifesaver.
There are two different types of medical malpractice insurance policies: claims-made and occurrence. Claims-made is a common and affordable type, but the way the policy responds is slightly different from occurrence.
Here are some key activities that paramedics perform, which may be covered by professional liability insurance:
- Stabilizing patients for transport
- Assessing the seriousness of wounded or ill patients
- Transporting patients to a hospital
- Performing first aid
- Keeping records of vitals, procedures performed and any other conditions or factors that are relevant for doctors
- Performing life-saving procedures such as CPR
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is malpractice insurance per month?
Malpractice insurance costs vary widely, from as little as $10 per month for non-medical home health aides to several thousand dollars for surgeons. The cost depends on the profession and level of risk.
Sources
- https://www.cmfgroup.com/professional-liability-insurance/emergency-services-professional-insurance/emt-insurance/
- https://www.trustedchoice.com/professional-liability-insurance/paramedics/
- https://www.cmfgroup.com/malpractice-insurance/emergency-medical-services-professionals/emt-malpractice-insurance/
- https://www.berkley.com/business-insurance/professional-liability-medical
- https://internationalmedicalrelief.org/resources/mission-preparations/insurance/
Featured Images: pexels.com