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As a small business owner in Pennsylvania, you're likely no stranger to the importance of protecting your business from unexpected lawsuits. Professional liability insurance PA is a must-have for any business that provides advice or services to clients.
The cost of professional liability insurance PA can vary depending on the type of business and the level of coverage needed. On average, small business owners in PA can expect to pay around $500 to $1,000 per year for this type of insurance.
But the benefits of professional liability insurance PA far outweigh the costs. By having this insurance, you can rest assured that you're protected in case a client sues your business for negligence or malpractice. This can give you peace of mind and help you focus on running your business without worrying about the financial risks.
Who Should Carry
Any business that provides a professional service or expert advice should carry professional liability coverage, as a client could sue if your service or advice causes accidental harm.
Even a frivolous lawsuit can be expensive between accounting for attorney’s fees, court costs, or a settlement.
Industries often at risk for professional liability claims include:
Accounting firms, lawyers, and doctors are examples of professions that often require professional liability insurance.
Insurance Details
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Professional liability insurance covers your legal defense costs if you're sued over a mistake in your professional work. This can include administrative costs like copying, filing, and travel expenses.
You'll likely be charged for expert witnesses to testify on your behalf, a court-ordered legal judgment, or a settlement to avoid trial. These costs can add up quickly, making it essential to have adequate coverage.
The policy limits you choose should take into account how expensive it can be to fight a professional liability lawsuit.
How Does It Work in PA?
In Pennsylvania, professional liability insurance covers your legal defense costs if you're sued over a mistake in your professional work. This can include costs like attorney's hourly rate, administrative costs, expert witnesses, and more.
You'll likely be charged for administrative costs such as copying, filing, and travel expenses, which can add up quickly. These costs can be expensive, even if you've done nothing wrong.
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Professional liability insurance covers all of these costs, up to the coverage limits of your policy. The policy limits you choose should take into account how expensive it can be to fight a professional liability lawsuit.
Pennsylvania business owners also need to determine the amount of coverage required to obtain a contract or work in a certain field. This can vary depending on the specific requirements of your industry.
This policy can be very affordable for small, low-risk businesses.
Pennsylvania Cost
The average cost of professional liability insurance in Pennsylvania is $65 per month, which is slightly higher than the national average of $61 per month.
Several factors can influence the cost of professional liability insurance, including your business's type, industry, and risk factors, as well as your coverage limits and deductible.
Your business size and location can also impact the cost of professional liability insurance, so it's essential to consider these factors when determining your coverage needs.
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Factors such as your day-to-day operations and claims history can also affect the cost of professional liability insurance, so it's crucial to maintain accurate records and take steps to minimize risks.
Here are some key factors that can impact the cost of professional liability insurance in Pennsylvania:
- Your type of business, industry, and similar risk factors
- Coverage limits and deductible
- Your business size and location
- Day-to-day operations
- Your claims history
Exclusions
Exclusions are an important part of understanding what your professional liability insurance covers and what it doesn't. Most insurance companies will exclude intentional harm you cause to others.
A key exclusion is the illegal violation of any law, regulation, or statute. This means if you're found to be breaking the law, your insurance won't cover the resulting lawsuits.
Services provided under a different entity's name, such as a subsidiary business or organization not listed on your policy, are also excluded. This is a good reminder to ensure all your business operations are clearly listed on your policy.
Defamation, including libel and slander, is another excluded claim. This can be a costly mistake if you're not careful with your words and actions.
Here are some examples of exclusions to keep in mind:
- The illegal violation of any law, regulation, or statute
- Services provided under a different entity's name
- Defamation, including libel and slander
- Discrimination
Profession-Specific
Medical professionals, such as doctors and surgeons, are among the most common holders of professional liability insurance policies.
These policies often have higher premiums due to the high-stakes nature of medical work.
Professionals in high-risk fields, like law and dentistry, also require specialized coverage.
Attorneys
As an attorney, you're likely no stranger to the importance of protecting yourself and your business from potential lawsuits. Professional liability insurance, also known as legal malpractice insurance, is a must-have for any lawyer.
In Pennsylvania, this type of insurance is not mandated by law, but you must still notify your clients in writing if you don't carry it. This notification should specify that you have at least $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate coverage.
Carrying professional liability insurance is a smart move, as it can help shield you from costly mistakes or missed deadlines.
Real Estate
Pennsylvania doesn't require real estate agents to have E&O insurance, but your real estate franchise, bank partners, and even clients may ask you to have this coverage.
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This type of profession is particularly vulnerable to lawsuits, with E&O covering situations such as not disclosing a problem with a property, listing incorrect information in an MLS sheet, and bodily injuries or property damage that happen during a showing.
Some clients require you to have this policy, which can protect you from expensive lawsuits for only about $60 per month.
Healthcare
Healthcare professionals in Pennsylvania are required to carry professional liability insurance, also known as medical malpractice insurance.
Typically, physicians carry limits of $1 million per occurrence and $3 million annual aggregate, with higher-risk specialties like surgeons and OB/GYNs needing even higher limits.
For medical professionals working in the chiropractic field, medical malpractice insurance is required with minimum limits of $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate.
Physical therapists are mandated to carry a minimum of $1,000,000 per occurrence for their professional liability insurance.
Penn Medicine employed providers have claims made coverage through the Professional Liability program, which provides coverage within the course and scope of their employment.
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The program requires certain health care providers, including physicians and midwives, to have $1 million per occurrence/$3 million annual aggregate coverage, with the first $500,000 provided by Franklin Casualty and the next $500,000 by the MCARE Fund.
Additional clinical providers, such as CRNPs and physician assistants, are required to carry $1 million/$3 million in primary Franklin Casualty professional liability coverage.
Excess professional liability is provided by the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error Fund (Mcare) in accordance with Pennsylvania law.
Healthcare providers licensed in Pennsylvania are required to participate in the Mcare program, which provides coverage for catastrophic losses.
Tail coverage is included for any covered claims related to activities undertaken within the course and scope of the provider's employment at the University of Pennsylvania Health System.
Malpractice 101
Real estate professionals may not be required to have E&O insurance in Pennsylvania, but clients and business partners often request it.
This type of insurance covers mistakes such as not disclosing property problems, listing incorrect information, and bodily injuries or property damage during showings.
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E&O insurance can cost around $60 per month and protect professionals from expensive lawsuits.
Medical professionals, on the other hand, are often required to have professional liability insurance, also known as medical malpractice insurance.
Doctors and other healthcare professionals typically carry limits of $1 million per occurrence and $3 million annual aggregate.
Higher-risk specialties like surgeons and OB/GYNs may need even higher limits.
Medical professionals working in the chiropractic field are required to carry a minimum of $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate.
Physical therapists must carry a minimum of $1,000,000 per occurrence for their professional liability insurance.
In Pennsylvania, it's essential for medical professionals to have adequate insurance coverage to protect against costly lawsuits.
Starting a Business
You can get professional liability insurance for your PA business by completing Insureon's easy online application to get business insurance quotes from top-rated U.S. insurance carriers.
Our Pennsylvania licensed insurance agents are available to answer any questions and provide advice on your business insurance needs.
You can begin coverage and receive your certificate of insurance in less than 24 hours once you find the right small business insurance.
Starting a Business
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Getting professional liability insurance is a must for your PA business - complete Insureon's easy online application to get business insurance quotes from top-rated U.S. insurance carriers.
You can get business insurance quotes in less than 24 hours, so don't wait any longer to protect your business.
Our Pennsylvania licensed insurance agents can help answer any questions and provide advice on your business insurance needs, so you can focus on growing your business.
You can begin coverage and receive your certificate of insurance in less than 24 hours, giving you peace of mind and financial protection.
Finance and Notary
As a business owner, it's essential to consider the risks involved in your industry. Notary professionals can be sued for unintentional errors or oversights, which can lead to costly court expenses.
Notary E&O insurance can cover these costs, protecting your business from financial loss. This type of insurance is also known as professional liability insurance.
Notary E&O insurance can help accountants and other finance professionals recover quickly from lawsuits and unexpected costs due to accounting errors or data breaches.
Why Choose CM&F?
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CM&F has been a trusted partner to millions of healthcare professionals since 1919, with a family-owned and operated business model that prioritizes personal and professional protection.
CM&F developed the first liability insurance policy for registered nurses in 1947, and for nurse practitioners in 1987, showing a long history of innovation in the industry.
CM&F partners with insurance carriers that have the highest A.M. Best ratings in the market today, ensuring clients receive top-notch coverage.
CM&F offers coverage for over 200 professional specialties across the healthcare industry, making it a one-stop-shop for all insurance needs.
CM&F has a singular focus on providing superior service and innovative insurance products, which is why thousands of professionals have trusted them with their career.
You can add additional insured to your policy at any time, making it easy to adapt to changing business needs.
Protection and Benefits
Professional liability insurance in Pennsylvania provides essential protection for licensed physical therapists and other professionals. The minimum required coverage is $1 million per occurrence or claims made.
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To maintain a license, a physical therapist must have this insurance in place. Proof of coverage can be provided through a certificate of insurance or a copy of the declaration page from the insurance policy, setting forth the effective date, expiration date, and dollar amounts of coverage.
A license that was issued in reliance on a letter from the insurance carrier indicating coverage will become inactive 30 days after issuance if the licensee doesn't provide proof of insurance coverage.
Disciplinary action can be taken against a licensee who fails to maintain insurance coverage, including unprofessional conduct.
Here are some key benefits of professional liability insurance in Pennsylvania:
- Coverage options up to $2 million per claim
- Full consent to settle claims
- Telemedicine/telehealth coverage
- License defense coverage
- General liability available
- Defense costs in addition to liability limits
- Sexual misconduct defense
- HIPAA defense coverage
- 24/7 portable coverage that covers you everywhere you go
Professional liability insurance in Pennsylvania covers the cost of lawsuits related to the quality of your work, including legal fees and settlements. It covers claims such as accusations of negligence, work mistakes and oversights, medical malpractice, missed deadlines and undelivered services, and inaccurate advice.
Technology and Design
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Technology and Design professionals need protection against costly lawsuits. IT consultants and other tech pros are at risk of lawsuits related to system downtime, data breaches, missed deadlines, and errors.
They can bundle E&O insurance and cyber insurance into one policy, known as technology professional liability insurance or tech E&O. This can help mitigate financial losses in the event of a lawsuit.
Building design professionals, such as architects and engineers, are also at risk of being sued if a client accuses them of making a costly mistake. For example, a bridge could develop cracks over time.
Technology
Technology professionals need to be aware of the risks they face, such as lawsuits related to system downtime, data breaches, missed deadlines, and errors.
IT consultants and other tech professionals can bundle E&O insurance and cyber insurance into one policy: technology professional liability insurance, often referred to as tech E&O.
This type of insurance can provide financial protection in case of errors or omissions that lead to lawsuits.
Tech professionals can use technology professional liability insurance to safeguard their businesses against costly lawsuits and reputational damage.
In particular, IT consultants and other tech professionals are susceptible to lawsuits related to system downtime, data breaches, missed deadlines, and errors.
Building Design
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Building design involves more than just creating aesthetically pleasing structures. Those who work in building design, such as architects and engineers, are at risk of a lawsuit if a client accuses them of making a costly mistake.
For instance, a bridge could develop cracks over time, posing a significant risk to users. This is a costly mistake that could lead to a lawsuit.
Design professionals must consider unforeseen circumstances that can delay a project for months. A project delayed for months can result in significant financial losses for the client and the design professional.
License Required in PA
In Pennsylvania, professionals need to be aware of the licenses required for their specific field.
As a medical professional, you'll need a medical license to practice medicine in PA, which requires completing a medical degree and passing the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX) series.
You'll also need a license to practice law in PA, which requires completing a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school and passing the Pennsylvania Bar Examination.
To practice as a registered nurse in PA, you'll need a registered nurse license, which requires graduating from an accredited nursing program and passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).
Other professionals, such as architects and engineers, may also need licenses to practice in PA, which typically require completing a degree in their field and passing a professional exam.
Why Choose
CM&F has been a trusted partner to millions of healthcare professionals since 1919, when it was still a family-owned and operated business.
CM&F has been at the forefront of protecting its clients' personal and professional livelihoods for over 100 years, dating back to the first liability insurance policy for registered nurses in 1947 and nurse practitioners in 1987.
CM&F continues to lead the way forward in protecting over 200 professional specialties across the healthcare industry.
CM&F only partners with insurance carriers who carry the highest A.M. Best ratings in the market today.
You can add additional insured to your policy at any time, whether during the application process or throughout the lifetime of the policy.
CM&F invests in service and technology to support its clients, making it easy to quickly buy insurance online, access policy documents in real-time, or discuss coverage questions over the phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the two types of professional liability insurance?
There are two main types of professional liability insurance: "claims-made" and "occurrence-made", each with distinct coverage requirements. Understanding the difference between these two types is crucial for protecting your professional reputation and finances.
Do I need professional liability insurance for my LLC?
If your LLC provides professional services, consider professional liability insurance to protect your business and personal assets from potential liability claims. This type of insurance can help shield your business from costly lawsuits and financial losses.
What is a typical claim covered by professional liability insurance?
Typical claims covered by professional liability insurance include errors, omissions, and negligent acts committed in the course of professional business. This can include mistakes, oversights, or misconduct that result in financial losses or damages to clients.
Sources
- https://www.insureon.com/small-business-insurance/professional-liability/pennsylvania
- https://www.finance.upenn.edu/insurance-managing-risk/penn-medicine-department-of-professional-liability/
- https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode
- https://www.cmfgroup.com/professional-liability-insurance/physician-assistant-professional-insurance/physician-assistant-insurance/
- https://www.aapa.org/career-central/practice-tools/malpractice-insurance-basics/
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