Arkansas has many of the same medical malpractice insurance companies that write business all over the country. They also have a few of their own carriers that stay exclusive to the state. Nevertheless, several of the carriers offer similar features on their policies.
- Consent to settle provision
- Defense costs that are outside the limits of liability
- Unlimited tail length
- AM Best Rating of A- or better
While other limits of liability are available, the most common throughout the state include a per claim limit of $1,000,000 and an aggregate limit of $3,000,000.
Arkansas Tort Reform
In 2003, Acts 1007 and 649 were approved to enable the establishment of tort reform for the state of Arkansas. The acts placed a cap on punitive damages limiting them to the greater of $250,000 or 3-times the amount of compensatory damages. Several statutes of limitations have been established as well. All of which cover claims ranging from death to cases filed by minors against OB/GYN's.
Although tort reform has reduced claim filings significantly, many of the features have faced much scrutiny since its approval in 2003. A great deal of concern for tort reform stems from the belief that provisions in the acts are unconstitutional. Repealing tort reform would make Arkansas less attractive to medical malpractice insurance companies and physicians.
Major Malpractice Insurance Companies:
- State Volunteer Mutual Insurance Company
- First Professionals Insurance Company
- ProAssurance Company, Inc.
- American Physicians Insurance Company
- Medical Protective Company
- Preferred Professional Insurance Company
- Medicus Insurance Company
- Arkansas Mutual Insurance Company
- MAG Mutual Insurance Company
Arkansas
Medical Malpractice Insurance Rates By Specialty (Top 15)
Rates depend greatly on specialty. Physicians offering high-risk care, such as surgeons, have higher rates than doctors in lower-risk areas. Prices will vary, though, based on your claim history and location in addition to your specialty. Always talk to an insurance expert to get a more specific quote for your malpractice insurance.
Below are undiscounted state filed rate data averages across all territories for
$1m / $3m limits
| Specialty | Average Rate | Min Rate | Max Rate | Count |
| Family Practice No Surgery | $7,329 | $5,256 | $9,595 | 1321 |
| Occupational Medicine | $5,510 | $3,656 | $7,409 | 947 |
| Internal Medicine No Surgery | $7,488 | $5,820 | $9,595 | 497 |
| Pediatrics No Surgery | $7,138 | $5,256 | $9,595 | 353 |
| Anesthesiology | $11,398 | $6,628 | $15,196 | 347 |
| Emergency Medicine | $17,770 | $13,712 | $22,713 | 314 |
| Radiology - Diagnostic | $8,562 | $5,820 | $12,403 | 272 |
| Psychiatry | $5,479 | $3,656 | $7,409 | 267 |
| General Surgery | $24,693 | $13,712 | $34,205 | 212 |
| Obstetrics and Gynecology Major Surgery | $40,112 | $24,215 | $63,720 | 209 |
| Orthopedic Surgery No Spine | $24,655 | $13,712 | $32,641 | 157 |
| Ophthalmology No Surgery | $5,754 | $3,200 | $7,248 | 140 |
| Cardiovascular Disease Minor Surgery | $10,710 | $8,134 | $13,968 | 131 |
| Pathology No Surgery | $6,126 | $4,571 | $9,595 | 115 |
| Gastroenterology No Surgery | $8,640 | $6,115 | $12,403 | 96 |
* Please note that the above rates are state filed rates. It is not
uncommon for Gallagher Healthcare clients to receive up to 50% or more in discounts
from state filed rates. Please Request a Quote to receive a custom premium indication.
Rate Range by Specialty
This chart compares the range of possible state filed medical malpractice premium rates by admitted markets and a few Gallagher Select markets broken out by the top 15 specialties in Arkansas.
USA Ranking Map
The map below provides a visual display of the nation and compares what a typical primary care physician might pay compared to each individual state and county. This research is based on the average rate for a single specialty, the most common limits in that state, and the mature claims made premium. The darker the blue, the higher the average premium, see how Arkansas compares to other states.
