Malpractice Insurance for Doctors & Physicians in South Carolina

How to buy malpractice insurance in South Carolina.

The best way to buy malpractice coverage is to work with a reputable malpractice insurance broker in South Carolina who can generate multiple quotes. Your broker will walk you through the lengthy insurance application and underwriting process. Click to get medical malpractice insurance quotes from every major South Carolina malpractice insurance company.

Typically, the malpractice insurance purchasing process goes like this:

1. Submit your information for your free medical malpractice insurance quote from every major insurance company in South Carolina.
2. One of our veteran malpractice insurance agents who specializes in the South Carolina market will contact you to learn more about your specific needs.
3. We shop your coverage to every major insurance company in South Carolina.
4. We present you with a number of insurance quotes and give you the information necessary to make an educated and informed decision. Don’t worry. We’re here every step of the way, helping you get the best price with the best company.

At renewal time, we restart the process of shopping your coverage among every major carrier to keep your policy properly priced.

How to save money on your malpractice insurance.

• The easiest way to save money on your medical malpractice insurance policy is by working with a broker who has the access to generate quotes from every major insurance company, offering an accurate view of the marketplace. As one of the top brokers in South Carolina, we can guide you through the application and underwriting process so you’re confident you secured the best price with the right insurer for your situation.
• The most common limits in South Carolina are $1 million/$3 million. Limits of liability play a major role in determining the overall cost of your policy. Some companies will offer lower limits to save you money. We don’t recommend this. We want your risks fully indemnified so you never have to pay an award out of pocket. Let us save you money by shopping your coverage rather than skimp on protection..
• Check out our 7 secrets your medical malpractice insurance agent won’t tell you page to get insider information on buying coverage in South Carolina.

Medical malpractice requirements in South Carolina.

Limits of Liability: The most common limits of liability in South Carolina are $1 million per claim with an annual aggregate cap of $3 million.

Most hospitals require a physician carry malpractice insurance prior to granting admitting privileges. Some of the hospital systems requiring this include, but are not limited to, AnMed Health Medical Center in Anderson, Grand Strand Regional Medical Center in Myrtle Beach, Roper Hospital in Charleston and Spartanburg Medical Center.

There is a South Carolina Patient Compensation Fund in place for physicians.

Best Medical malpractice insurance companies in South Carolina.

1. Medical Protective
2. MAG Mutual Insurance Co.
3. The Doctors Company
4. NORCAL
5. Coverys
6. Lonestar
7. ProAssurance

Why partner with Cunningham Group?

Partnering with Cunningham Group will give you a full view of the South Carolina marketplace.. Our veteran insurance agents average 10+ years of industry experience. Let us help you secure medical malpractice insurance quotes from every major insurance company in South Carolina.

History of South Carolina Malpractice Insurance and the South Carolina Patient Compensation Fund.

South Carolina began reforming its medical liability system in the 1976, with the creation of the South Carolina Medical Malpractice Patient Compensation Fund. The PCF charges an annual “membership fee” and requires a physician to carry minimum coverage of $200,000 per claim and $600,000 annual aggregate of all claims. Any verdict in excess of the underlying, primary coverage is paid by the PCF. In effect, the PCF pools and minimizes its members’ risk of a jackpot verdict, keeping their insurance premiums to a minimum. South Carolina also has a Joint Underwriting Association (JUA). JUAs help keep premiums in check by providing insurance to physicians who are unable to obtain affordable insurance in the marketplace.

In addition to its Patient Compensation Fund, the Palmetto State has implemented many tort reforms. In 2004, then-Governor Mark Sanford made a legislative push to address ongoing liability issues in the state. The result was the South Carolina Medical Malpractice & Patient Safety Reform Act, which was passed in 2005. This act addressed both general tort reform and specific reforms to the medical liability system. General tort reforms included joint and several liability reform; venue reform; reforms to the Statute of Repose (similar to a statute of limitations, but with more restrictions); and introduction of measures to sanction lawyers and other parties filing frivolous claims. Medical liability-specific reforms included a $350,000 cap on noneconomic damages in medical malpractice cases ($1.05 million for multi-defendant lawsuits); required plaintiffs to file a notice of intent to sue, and for both parties to participate in mandatory mediation (a claim can still be filed if a resolution cannot be reached in mediation); required that any expert testimony that is delivered in “bad faith” be reported to professional licensing agencies; and protected emergency room physicians from liability for medical malpractice unless there is evidence that the doctor acted in a manner that was grossly negligent. The bill offers similar protections to obstetricians when providing emergency care unless the doctor acted in a manner that was grossly negligent.

In 2019, the South Carolina Legislature passed House Bill H 3760, which merges the South Carolina Patient Compensation Fund (PCF) with the South Carolina Joint Underwriting Association (JUA) into a new organization to be called The South Carolina Medical Malpractice Association (SCMMA). Effective Jan. 1, 2020, the PCF merged into the South Carolina Medical Malpractice Association. The SCMMA will assume all obligations and responsibilities of the PCF, while retaining all obligations and responsibilities of the JUA. On Jan. 1, 2020, the PCF Board, with oversight of the Department of Insurance, provided for the orderly and expeditious winding down of the PCF. All outstanding affairs and existing contractual obligations of the PCF became the responsibility of the SCMMA on Jan. 1, 2020. After January 1, 2020, the PCF ceased to exist except as for purposes of winding down its affairs.

Resources for South Carolina Physicians.

South Carolina Medical Society
Medical Malpractice Insurance Guide
South Carolina Department of Business Regulation
South Carolina Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline
South Carolina Society of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons
South Carolina Department of Human Services
All MD South Carolina Healthcare Defense Attorney Listing