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South Carolina Malpractice Insurance

Medical malpractice rates in South Carolina are moderate when compared to many other states. This is due both to the large number of carriers in the state and the many tort reforms that South Carolina has passed over the years. 

Our 2023 Physician Buyers Guide for purchasing malpractice insurance in South Carolina gives you the information necessary to obtain the strongest, most financially secure policy at the best price. When shopping for coverage, you need a full view of the South Carolina marketplace to find the company that best fits your situation. Choose a broker that can offer multiple quotes from all the major malpractice insurance companies 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.

How much does medical malpractice insurance cost in South Carolina?

Rates for physician malpractice insurance don’t vary much depending on where you practice within the state. Most major insurance companies classify South Carolina as a single territory, which means your specialty’s base rate does not vary depending on your practice address. But you still want multiple quotes to get an accurate view of the marketplace. This is one of the many reasons it’s important to work with an insurance agency that specializes in medical malpractice insurance. Below are mature, base rates with no credits or discounts. We typically get our clients a 30-50% reduction from these rates:

South Carolina

  • Internal Medicine Average Rate $4,289
  • General Surgeon Average Rate $12,869
  • OB/gyn – Average Rate $19,661
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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.

Find Coverage for your Practice

  • Individual Physicians

    Find peace of mind for your practice. Allow us to locate suitable malpractice coverage from top providers, offering multiple quotes for your convenience.

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  • Tail Coverage

    Secure your future with Tail Insurance. Protect yourself from past claims with extended liability coverage—multiple quotes to match your needs.

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  • Medical Directors

    Lead confidently with comprehensive malpractice coverage. We specialize in finding tailored plans from various providers for medical directors like you.

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  • Telemedicine Coverage

    Navigate the virtual frontier with confidence. We help find comprehensive malpractice coverage for telemedicine practitioners, offering multiple quotes.

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  • Moonlighting Coverage

    Moonlight with confidence when you have the right protection. Get various malpractice coverage options, ensuring you’re covered wherever you practice.

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  • Surgeons

    Let us identify the ideal malpractice coverage from top providers so you can focus on excellent surgical outcomes.

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  • OBGYNs

    Secure specialized malpractice coverage for women’s health. We provide tailored solutions with multiple quotes to meet the specific needs of OBGYNs.

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  • Dermatologists

    Protect your dermatology practice confidently. We specialize in comprehensive malpractice coverage, delivering multiple quotes so you can choose the one that matches your needs.

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Client Testimonials

Below is what a few clients have to say about our prices and service. We know that cost and trust are the two most important factors when shopping for your medical malpractice insurance. We pride ourselves at being the best at both!

Mr. Leander has been extremely prompt in answering all my questions and has provided excellent customer service. I would definitely recommend his services to my colleagues. He has made the entire process of purchasing medical malpractice insurance quite simple for my practice.

Internist in South Carolina

Fast, efficient response time by David to get ALL questions addressed. Stress free relationship with David without compromising quality. Very highly recommend David for your malpractice needs. I feel he has my best interest first without trying to sell me something extra.

Internist in South Carolina

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.

Historic Medical Malpractice Insurance Rates in South Carolina for Physicians.

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.

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