Nurse Practitioners: 5 Questions to Ask About Your Professional Liability Insurance

1. Do I Need My Own Professional Liability Insurance?

• Am I relying solely on my employer’s insurance?
• Do I practice independently in a state that requires NPs to carry their own coverage?
• Have I considered the rising dollar amounts of medical malpractice verdicts?
  Why it matters: Employers’ insurance may not cover all your risks. Carrying your own insurance can ensure you’re fully protected.

2. Are There Gaps in My Employer’s Liability Coverage?

• Have I checked for board complaint coverage in my employer’s insurance?
• Does my employer’s policy have shared limits, which could reduce the amount available to me in a lawsuit?
• Have I reviewed my employment contract for coverage details?
  Why it matters: Nursing board complaints can take years and significant costs to resolve, and shared limits of liability can leave you underinsured.

3. Do I Understand the Difference Between Occurrence and Claims-Made Policies?

• Do I have an occurrence-based insurance policy that covers me for medical acts performed during the policy period, even if a claim against me is filed later?
• Do I have a claims-made policy that covers allegations of malpractice only if they are made during the policy period?
  Why it matters: Occurrence policies offer long-term protection, while claims-made policies may need to be supplemented with a nose and/or tail policy to ensure continuity of coverage.

4. Do I Have Tail Coverage or Nose Coverage?

• If I have a claims-made policy, do I have tail coverage to protect me in case of claims made after the policy ends that are related to care provided during the policy period?
• Have I explored nose coverage to cover care provided before my current policy started?
  Why it matters: Without tail coverage or nose coverage, you could be exposed to liability after changing jobs or policies.

5. Am I Using Documentation and Communication Strategies to Protect Myself?

• Do I routinely complete thorough SOAP notes during patient visits?
• Do I ensure that challenging patients fully understand their care plans?
  Why it matters: Incomplete documentation can lead to higher risks for you and your patients. Capturing the full care story can help you protect your patients, your license, and your career.