Frequently Asked Questions

No. ETHOS Insurance Services is an MPL (medical professional liability) insurance agency specializing in medical malpractice insurance for healthcare professionals and organizations. We are not affiliated with Ethos, the life insurance company, and we do not sell or service life insurance. We cannot access, cancel, or make changes to an Ethos Life Insurance policy. If you have questions about an Ethos life insurance policy, please contact Ethos directly at ethos.com.

Medical malpractice insurance is professional liability coverage that protects healthcare providers against claims of negligence or errors in the delivery of medical care. It covers legal defense costs, settlements, and judgments up to your policy limits.

Yes. Even excellent physicians can face lawsuits. Medical malpractice insurance protects your personal assets, provides expert legal defense, and gives you peace of mind to practice medicine confidently. Many hospitals and employers require it.

Costs vary widely based on your specialty, location, coverage limits, and claims history. General practitioners might pay $5,000-$15,000 annually, while high-risk specialties like surgery or obstetrics can cost $50,000+ per year.

Claims-Made covers claims made and reported during the active policy period, regardless of when the incident occurred. Occurrence covers any incident that happens during the policy period, even if the claim is filed years later after the policy ends.

Tail coverage (Extended Reporting Period) allows you to report claims after your Claims-Made policy ends. You need it when retiring, changing carriers, or leaving practice if you have a Claims-Made policy.

Most physicians carry $1 million per occurrence and $3 million aggregate. High-risk specialties often choose $2 million/$4 million or higher. Consider your specialty risk, local jury verdict trends, and asset protection needs.

Contact your insurance company immediately, preserve all relevant records, do not contact the patient or their attorney, and follow your insurer's instructions. Never alter medical records or discuss the case publicly.

Claims can affect future premiums, but the impact varies by carrier and circumstances. Some carriers offer "first claim forgiveness." The severity of the claim and whether it resulted in a payout are important factors.

You must report claims as soon as reasonably possible, typically immediately upon receiving notice. Delays in reporting can jeopardize your coverage. Most policies require prompt notification of any potential claims.

The retroactive date is the earliest date that an incident can occur and still be covered by your current Claims-Made policy. It's typically set to your first day of coverage and should remain continuous throughout your career.

It depends on your policy. Some policies automatically cover all professional medical activities, while others require specific endorsements for moonlighting or locum work. Always verify coverage before taking additional positions.

Many modern policies include telemedicine coverage, but older policies may not. If you provide virtual care, especially across state lines, confirm your policy covers telehealth and in which states.

If you have Claims-Made coverage, you'll need either tail coverage from your old policy or prior acts coverage from your new policy to maintain continuous protection. Occurrence coverage continues for the covered period.

With Occurrence coverage, you're covered for life for incidents during policy periods. With Claims-Made, you must purchase tail coverage to protect against future claims for past work.

Yes, but with Claims-Made policies, you need to either purchase tail coverage or ensure your new carrier provides prior acts coverage with a matching or earlier retroactive date.