Minnesota Medical Malpractice Insurance

• Most Common Limits of Liability: $1 million/$3 million
• Major Malpractice Insurers:
  • MMIC Insurance Inc.
  • American Excess Ins. Exchange RRG
  • Continental Casualty Co.
  • American Casualty Co. of Reading PA
  • ProAssurance Casualty Co.
• Cost of Medical Malpractice Insurance: Low

Minnesota enjoys some of the lowest malpractice premiums in the country. Large jury awards are uncommon and the overall number of medical malpractice lawsuits is low. Minnesota’s enviable malpractice climate may be due to many factors. Though the state has not passed damage caps for medical malpractice suits, it has carried out several tort reforms which have helped to foster a positive climate for physicians and the healthcare industry. The state has also implemented procedures to encourage more malpractice insurers to enter its market to increase competition and drive down premium costs. Minnesota has long been dominated by Midwest Medical Insurance Company (MMIC), with MMIC controlling more than 60% of the state’s marketplace, but in recent years, several physician-run insurers have begun offering medical malpractice policies in the North Star State.

Minnesota’s major medical liability reform was passed in 1986 through Statute 145.682, which was enacted to help remedy the rising cost of medical malpractice insurance by reducing frivolous lawsuits. The statute requires an affidavit of merit from an expert demonstrating that the expert believes that the plaintiff has a valid claim. Another affidavit listing expert witnesses must be served upon the defendant within 180 days after commencement of the suit. The Minnesota Supreme Court has upheld the precedent of case dismissal if a plaintiff fails to obtain sufficient certification of expert review, and this legislation has had a notable effect on the expense of defending against frivolous lawsuits.

• Damage Caps? No
• Patient Compensation Fund? No
• Apology Law? Yes, statements, affirmations, gestures or conduct expressing apology, sympathy, commiseration, condolence, compassion, or a general sense of benevolence can be made to an alleged victim or the relative or representative of an alleged victim. Admissions of fault are admissible in court.
• Collateral Source Reform? Yes, collateral sources can be considered within 10 days of a verdict and with a motion from any party. If this is done, the court has to reduce the award by the amount received from collateral sources, not including any amount paid by the plaintiff to secure the award.
• Periodic Payments? Yes, when future damages will exceed $100,000, the court must hold a hearing for the claimant to consider if damages should be paid periodically.
• Joint Liability Reform? Yes, persons who are 50% or less at fault are liable only for their portion of damages, unless they engaged in a common scheme or committed an intentional act. Persons who are more than 50% at fault are fully liable.
• Limits on Plaintiff Attorney’s Fees? No

Overview

Medical malpractice rates in Minnesota are very low, and have held steady in recent years. Minnesota physicians, including obstetricians, surgeons and other specialists, enjoy much lower premiums than most of their counterparts in other states. Increased competition through the entrance of new insurers to the Minnesota marketplace may help these low rates to continue for some time to come.

Get Historic Rates

By combining our efforts with those of the Medical Liability Monitor – the nation’s leading independent source of Medical Liability Insurance news, as well as the political, legal and risk management issues that affect the healthcare industry – we’ve published historic rate data for every county in the North Star State. You can view all the rates by completing the three simple steps on the left of this page. You’ll find the insights offered by this information invaluable when making your decision on your medical malpractice insurance coverage and carriers. This is only one of the many reasons that Cunningham Group Insurance has become the preferred online source for Minnesota physicians, healthcare professionals and medical groups looking to find the best coverage and lower their medical malpractice insurance rates.

Coverage by Minnesota County

Rates are the same across the 87 counties of Minnesota. Physicians in Hennepin and Ramsey Counties (which include the Twin Cities and surrounding areas) will have the same low rates as doctors in rural parts of the state.

Minnesota Medical Association
Minnesota Department of Commerce, Insurance
Minnesota Board of Medical Practice
Minnesota Osteopathic Medical Society
All MD Minnesota Healthcare Defense Attorney Listing