Claims Made vs Occurrence Malpractice Insurance

Q: What is the difference between claims-made and occurrence insurance?

Claims-made policies cover claims filed and reported while your policy is active, as long as the incident happened on or after your retroactive date. Occurrence policies cover incidents that happen during your policy period, no matter when the claim is filed - even years later.

Q: Does claims-made insurance need tail coverage?

Yes. Tail coverage (Extended Reporting Period or ERP) is needed when you cancel, retire, or switch carriers to protect against future claims for incidents that occurred while your claims-made policy was active.

Q: What is the retroactive date for claims-made and reported policies?

The retroactive date is a coverage history marker that determines how far back your claims-made policy will cover prior acts. Claims must be reported during the active policy period and the incident must have occurred on or after the retroactive date.

Q: Is it better to have claims-made or occurrence insurance?

Claims-made policies offer lower initial premiums but require tail coverage when leaving. Occurrence policies have higher upfront costs but provide built-in protection without tail coverage needs. Your decision depends on career plans, financial goals, and how long you expect to stay in one practice.

Claims-Made Coverage: Flexibility with Foresight

Claims-made coverage is more like a subscription service. It's active when you need it - covering incidents only if the policy is in effect when both the incident happens and the claim is made.

image of a stethoscope and calculator for the page of claims made vs occurrence

Claims-made policies are all about timing. To be covered, two things need to happen:

The claim must be reported while your policy is active.
The incident must have occurred after your retroactive date.

Think of it like a window - it only covers claims reported during the policy period for events that happened after the retroactive date.

Renewing your policy keeps coverage in place for past incidents, as long as your retroactive date remains unchanged.

Advantages:

Budget-friendly at first. The premiums start low, which is great when you're building your practice.
As you establish yourself, the premiums increase to compensate for prior acts but eventually level out after several years.
Is the most commonly offered type of medical malpractice insurance.

Considerations:

You'll need tail coverage to stay protected if you change policies or retire, which is an added cost (1.5 to 2x your current annual premium), unless you're able to get free tail with your carrier.
Your limits are stretched for the duration of the entire time that you have your tail policy, be it a few years or beyond a decade. You only get one set of policy limits for tail.
Over time, a claims-made policy might inch past the cost of occurrence coverage, when tail is factored in.

Claims-Made Policy Example

Let’s say a neurosurgeon has a claims-made policy with limits of $1 million per claim and $3 million aggregate per year. They’ve kept this coverage for five years without gaps.

In Year 5, they receive three claims from incidents that happened in Year 1, Year 3, and Year 5.
Since the claims are reported in Year 5, all three are subject to the Year 5 policy limits - not the limits from the years the incidents occurred.
The insurer covers up to $1 million per claim but won’t pay more than $3 million total for all claims filed that year.
If a fourth claim comes in, it could exceed the annual limit, meaning the doctor may be responsible for any uncovered costs.

That’s the main difference with claims-made policies - coverage applies only if the claim is reported during the policy period (or tail) and the incident happened after your retroactive date.

Understanding Claims-Made Pricing

Unlike occurrence policies, claims-made malpractice insurance starts with lower premiums. That’s because the risk of a claim grows over time - the longer a policy is active, the greater the chance a past incident could surface as a lawsuit. To account for this, carriers use step rating, where premiums rise each year until they reach a mature rate.

Example: If your mature premium is $50,000, your premiums might look like this:

Year 1: $15,000 to $20,000 (about 30 to 40 percent of the mature premium)
Year 2: about $30,000 (around 60 percent)
Year 3: $37,500 to $40,000 (roughly 75 to 80 percent)
Year 4: $45,000 to $47,500 (about 90 to 95 percent)
Year 5 and beyond: $50,000 (mature rate)

An infographic showing a step rating for a claims made malpractice insurance policy.

Step-rating schedules vary by carrier. Most carriers mature by Year 5; confirm the exact progression on your quote or rate schedule.

Why Step Rating and Retroactive Dates Matter

Your retroactive date - the start of uninterrupted claims-made coverage - determines both your pricing tier and the earliest point an incident can occur and still be covered. Think of it as the “starting line” of your policy.

Retroactive Date = Starting Line

‍Claims before this date are never covered by a current policy, even if the policy is active when the lawsuit is filed.

If you switch carriers without keeping your retroactive date, the new policy starts over at Year 1 pricing for that carrier. That resets the step-rating schedule and leaves prior years uncovered unless you secure tail coverage or prior acts coverage.

Avoiding Coverage Gaps During Transitions

Any lapse in claims-made coverage leaves you unprotected for prior services. To maintain continuity when changing jobs, leaving a group, or moving into 1099 work, coverage is usually addressed in one of two ways:

Tail coverage (Extended Reporting Period endorsement) from your old carrier
Prior acts coverage (nose coverage) from your new carrier

Tail Coverage: Extended Protection After Your Policy Ends

Tail coverage takes over once your claims-made policy terminates, covering claims filed after the policy expires. Without it, lawsuits related to past care would be your responsibility.

You’ll typically need tail coverage if you:

Cancel a claims-made policy
Switch carriers
Retire or close your practice
Transition to an occurrence policy

Tail coverage usually costs 150%–250% of your final annual premium.

So if your last premium was $100,000, tail could range from $150,000 to $250,000. Tail can be purchased as an endorsement or as a standalone policy, and carriers offer different duration periods, including unlimited.

Prior Acts Coverage: An Alternative to Tail

Prior acts coverage - also called nose coverage - allows your new insurer to extend protection backward to your original retroactive date. This can eliminate the need to buy tail from your old carrier.

Works best when you’re switching insurers but continuing to practice
Not available if you’re retiring or leaving medicine entirely

Not every insurer offers it, and eligibility typically depends on maintaining continuous coverage with no lapses.

Bottom line: Step rating, retro dates, tail, and prior acts are closely interlinked. Knowing how they work together helps physicians maintain coverage continuity and reduce transition costs.

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If you’re weighing claims-made coverage, request a quote or schedule a consultation with a DrsCoverage broker to see what options are available in your market.

Claims-Made Coverage at a Glance

Covers claims filed while the policy is active for incidents after your retro date
Premiums start low, then increase until fully mature (typically by Year 5-7)
Tail coverage is needed if you cancel, retire, or switch carriers
Annual limits apply to all claims filed in the same policy year
Prior acts coverage may replace tail if switching carriers with no lapse

Occurrence Coverage: Set It and Forget It

Think of occurrence coverage as the 'one-and-done' option. Once you have it, you're covered for any incidents that happen (or occur) while the policy was active, regardless of when the claim is filed.

Before the 1970s, occurrence-based policies were the standard in malpractice insurance plans. However, as the number of claims rose and became increasingly costly, insurers shifted towards offering claims-made polices. This change allowed insurance companies to better manage and anticipate potential claims within a more defined time frame.

Occurrence policies offer lasting peace of mind with the right carrier. As long as the incident happened during your policy period, you’re covered - even if the claim is filed years later.

This built-in protection means there’s no need for tail coverage when you retire, switch jobs, or close your practice, presuming you've had occurrence all this time.

Advantages:

No additional insurance is needed, like tail or prior acts coverage.
You receive a new set of limits every year for coverage of claims that occurred in that year. The limits are stacked.
Simplicity: Once you're covered, you can focus on your work, not your insurance policy.

Considerations:

It's usually the pricier option, reflecting its extensive coverage.
If the insurer shuts down, coverage might be at risk, so it's very important to choose a strong carrier that is financially sound and has been around for a while.
It's not a universal option - some states and insurers don't offer it.

Occurrence Policy Example

Let’s say a general surgeon has an occurrence policy with limits of $1 million per claim and $3 million aggregate per year. The policy is in place for five years.

Year 2: A patient files a malpractice claim for an incident that happened in Year 2. The surgeon’s insurer covers up to $1 million for that claim.
Year 5: Another patient files a claim for an incident from Year 3. The Year 3 policy limits still apply, covering up to $1 million.

Since each policy year has its own separate limits, the surgeon could potentially access $1 million per claim from each policy year with up to $3 million in total claims per year. Over five years, this could amount to $15 million in cumulative protection - often referred to as stacked limits.

Why Some Doctors Choose Occurrence Policies

While occurrence policies often come with higher upfront premiums, their simplicity and long-term protection make them worth it for many doctors.

Permanent Incident Coverage: Covered for incidents during the policy period, no matter when a claim is filed.
Job Changes: No tail coverage necessary when switching employers.
Retirement: Coverage remains in place, eliminating the need for additional tail insurance.
Claims Filing: No reporting deadline. As long as the incident happened during the policy period, coverage applies.

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An Important Disclaimer for Occurrence-Based Policies

‍When it comes to occurrence policies, one thing that often gets overlooked is the long-term stability of your insurer. Since these policies cover incidents that happen during the policy period - even if a claim comes in years later - your insurance carrier needs to be around and financially stable when it’s time to pay out.

While it’s rare, insurance companies can go out of business, and that could leave your coverage in question. If that happens, state Departments of Insurance may step in through state guaranty funds to cover claims. But these funds have payout limits and might not cover the full amount of a large claim. That’s why choosing a financially solid, well-rated carrier is a must with occurrence policies.

Claims-Made vs. Occurrence Insurance: What’s the Difference?

The biggest difference between claims-made and occurrence policies comes down to when the coverage applies. Here’s how they compare:

graphic showing the differences between claims made vs occurrence

Most claims-made policies follow a “claims-made and reported” model, meaning both the incident and the claim must be reported during the active policy period.

Occurrence policies, on the other hand, come with higher upfront costs but offer the benefit of no tail insurance. They provide ongoing protection for claims that may be filed years later.

If you're looking for lower initial premiums, a claims-made policy may be the most attractive. But keep in mind that you’ll likely need to factor in the cost of tail coverage when you change jobs or retire.

The right choice comes down to your career plans, financial goals, and how long you intend to stay at your practice.

Cost Considerations of claims-made and occurrence

Occurrence policies tend to be more expensive upfront compared to claims-made policies, but the stability and long-term advantages can balance out the cost.

Upfront Costs: Higher initial premiums, but they remain consistent year after year.
Long-Term Savings: No tail coverage expenses when you retire or switch jobs.
Coverage Certainty: The amount of coverage is based on the year of the incident, not the claim year.

Example: If your policy had a $1 million per claim limit in 2025, that’s the amount available even if a lawsuit is filed years later.

For doctors who prefer fewer administrative concerns and long-term protection, an occurrence policy is often a solid choice, with the right carrier. However, claims-made policies are still the most popular due to their availability and costs.

The Big Difference in Policy Limits

Your policy limits determine how much your insurer will pay per claim and over a policy period. A huge difference between claims-made and occurrence policies is how those limits apply.

Occurrence Policies: Each policy year has its own set of limits that remain in place indefinitely. As a result, those limits stack over time. If multiple claims arise from different years, you could have additional protection from each year’s coverage.
Claims-Made Policies: Limits apply only to the current policy period when the claim is reported. Past policy years don’t add to your available coverage. If a claim is reported during a time when your policy limits are insufficient, you may face out-of-pocket expenses.

Other Factors to Consider

Choosing between claims-made and occurrence isn’t just about cost - it’s about what makes sense for your career and financial situation.

Here’s what might tip the scales:

Budgeting: Consider the total cost. Claims-made policies are cheaper upfront, but the price of tail coverage can add up. Occurrence policies offer predictable expenses without surprise costs down the road.
Your Specialty: Certain specialties - especially higher-risk ones like neurosurgery or OBGYN - may find claims-made policies more accessible since occurrence policies can be harder to find.
State Availability: Not all states have occurrence policies readily available, so claims-made may be your best or only option.
Career Flexibility: Planning to switch practices? Keep in mind how tail coverage or prior acts coverage will factor into your decision.

Choosing the right medical professional liability insurance policy isn’t one-size-fits-all. Your decision will depend on factors like where you are in your career, your specialty, and your long-term plans.

Both claims-made and occurrence policies offer unique benefits, and understanding how they work can help you find the best fit for your situation. Ultimately, the right choice is about finding what fits your career goals and keeps you covered, now and into the future.

‍Choosing the Right Malpractice Policy

Deciding between claims-made and occurrence policies can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. At DrsCoverage, we’re committed to making the process easier. Our team takes the time to understand your practice, specialty, and long-term goals to help you find coverage that makes sense.

We work with top A-rated carriers and have access to non-standard markets, giving you more options for comprehensive coverage in your preferred policy type. Our goal is to help you secure the right coverage at a competitive rate.

Whether you’re in a high-risk specialty, have a claims history, or are just getting started, we’ll walk you through your options. From understanding policy limits to planning for career changes, we’ve got your back.

Let’s find a solution that fits your practice.

‍Reach out today for personalized guidance and competitive quotes - because your focus should be on patient care, not insurance worries.

Why Physicians Choose DrsCoverage

DrsCoverage is backed by a team of industry professionals with more than 100 years of combined medical malpractice insurance experience, including in underwriting, offering the steady, informed support physicians appreciate when reviewing coverage or planning for a transition.

Experience with Surgical Risk

Our brokerage supports surgeons and other procedural specialists, giving us a sharper understanding of how carriers evaluate complexity, procedure mix, prior acts, and county-level risk. Our team understands the realities of high-exposure practice.

Team-Based Coverage Review

At DrsCoverage, we take a collaborative approach to medical malpractice insurance. Your dedicated broker leads the process, with support from an experienced team that contributes added insight during coverage review. It’s a structure that further strengthens the ability to identify potential gaps and present the full scope of available options, while keeping your coverage aligned with your specialty and practice setting.

Access to Admitted, E&S, and RRG Markets

We have access to a wide range of A-rated admitted carriers, E&S markets, and physician-focused RRGs. That gives doctors meaningful options whether they practice in a high-severity venue, have a complex history, or simply want to compare grounded alternatives across different market types.

Concierge-Level Support Throughout Your Career

From first-year coverage to renewals, transitions, and tail planning, you have a responsive broker who explains coverage in clear terms and stays available as your practice evolves. Since carrier pricing is the same with or without a broker, this level of support comes with no added cost.

Claims Made vs Occurrence FAQs

What is the difference between claims-made and occurrence insurance?

The core difference is when coverage applies.

Claims-made policies cover claims filed and reported while your policy is active, as long as the incident happened on or after your retroactive date.

Occurrence policies cover incidents that happen during your policy period, no matter when the claim is filed - even years later.

If you switch from a claims-made policy, you’ll need tail coverage to protect against claims filed after your policy ends. With an occurrence policy, there’s no tail coverage needed.

Does claims-made insurance need tail coverage?

Yes. If you have a claims-made policy and leave your current role, switch carriers, or retire, tail coverage (also called an Extended Reporting Period endorsement or ERP) ensures you’re protected against claims filed later. Without tail coverage, any lawsuit filed after your policy ends won’t be covered - even if the incident happened while you were insured.Some employers cover the cost of tail insurance, but in other cases, it may fall on the physician. It’s always smart to clarify who’s responsible for tail coverage before signing a contract.

What is the retroactive date for claims-made and reported policies?

Your retroactive date is the starting point for coverage on a claims-made policy. It’s the earliest date an incident can occur and still be eligible for coverage under your current policy. Think of it as your coverage history marker.

If you maintain continuous coverage and keep the same retroactive date when switching insurers, prior acts insurance will be needed, and thus those policy years will stay protected. However, if your retroactive date is removed or reset, you would lose coverage for past incidents unless tail coverage is purchased. This makes it essential to keep track of your retroactive date when renewing or switching policies, ensuring you remain protected for any prior claims.

Is it better to have claims-made or occurrence insurance?

It depends on your specific situation. Claims-made policies generally have lower upfront premiums but require tail coverage if you switch jobs or retire. Occurrence policies usually cost more initially but include built-in protection without needing tail insurance.

Your decision may come down to factors like your career plans, financial goals, and how long you expect to stay in one practice. Both options offer reliable coverage - the right choice is the one that best supports your needs.

Have more questions - or want to explore your coverage options?

Connect with a DrsCoverage broker today. You’ll get a clear overview of what your next steps look like, plus help initiating quote requests from reputable carriers that write your specialty in your state.

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Claims Made vs. Occurrence Malpractice Insurance Policies: What’s the Difference?