Janardhan NWhat if a patient sued you tomorrow? Would your hospital policy actually have your back?
You may have done everything right, followed every protocol, and still find yourself facing a legal notice.
It’s more common than you think. In the US, about 1 in 3 healthcare professionals gets sued for malpractice at some point in their career.
And India isn’t far behind.According to the National Library of Medicine, over 5.2 million medical negligence cases were recorded in India in 2023 alone, with some studies citing a massive 110% rise in annual numbers.
This is why having professional indemnity insurance for doctors matters. It is a “Claims-Made” policy, meaning it will cover claims made in writing against you within the policy period.
As long as the incident occurred on or after the Retroactive Date (usually the date your first continuous insurance began).
This insurance protects you from claims made by patients or their agents for errors, omissions, or negligence while providing professional services.
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How Much Coverage Do You Need?
Coverage limits can vary depending on your speciality, risk exposure, and other factors. Here’s a rough estimate of typical annual coverage and premiums:
| Coverage Limit (AOY) | Estimated Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| ₹25 Lakh to ₹50 Lakh | ₹7,000 to ₹15,000+ |
| ₹1 Crore | ₹10,000 to ₹20,000+ |
| ₹2 Crore to ₹5 Crore | ₹35,000 to ₹95,000+ |
These limits ensure that not only the damages but also legal defence costs and optional extensions are fully covered, giving you peace of mind while practicing medicine.
What Does a PI Policy Cover?
Professional indemnity (PI) insurance protects you financially if a patient brings a claim against you for bodily harm or death caused by medical errors, negligence, or oversights during treatment.
Here’s why PI insurance is valuable: it covers more than just the compensation you owe. It protects you through the entire legal process, which can be lengthy and expensive.
Your PI policy typically covers:
- Compensation payments: The sum of money an insured party must pay upon being found liable for a claim through either a court decision or an out-of-court settlement process.
- Legal defence fees: This includes fees charged by lawyers, court charges, costs related to an investigation, and representation costs at an official inquiry or hearing
- Your team’s mistakes: The actions or mistakes made by your nurses, lab technicians, or medical assistants (if in your policy)
- Additional protection: Coverage to protect against the loss of patient records, breach of confidentiality, or claims of defamation
Example: Dr. Verma was sued for ₹20 lakh over a surgical complication and while the claim was settled for ₹12 lakh, the legal costs took another ₹6 lakh. His PI insurance covered those amounts and his savings.
Get Customised PI Coverage Built Around Your Profession
With Mitigata, customise your indemnity coverage to match your work, ensuring complete protection and peace of mind.
What Does a PI Policy Not Cover?
Though PI insurance provides broad coverage, it does not cover all scenarios. Hence, it is important to know the following exclusions to avoid unwanted surprises.
Your policy will NOT cover:
- Criminal acts leading to injury or death of a patient (intentionally wronging your patient)
- Fines imposed by federal, state, or local governments (these cannot be covered by law)
- Any financial loss or reputational loss not associated with physical injury
- Medical services impaired by an intoxicated state or the use of a drug (even if prescribed)
- Claims that you had prior knowledge of, prior to purchasing professional liability insurance
- Cosmetic procedures, such as plastic surgery or hair transplants (unless you have added this to your policy)
- Damages resulting from war or nuclear incidents
Premiums and Risk Factors
PI insurance premiums aren’t fixed – they vary based on your practice risk profile and coverage needs.
Key factors affecting your premium:
Your specialisation: Major specialities, such as Orthopaedics, Cardiology, Neurosurgery, and Gynaecology, cost more than General Medicine/Paediatrics.
The cost reflects the complexity and high frequency or severity of claims for surgical and high-stakes specialities.
Coverage amount: Most policies available offer coverage from ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore. The higher the coverage amount, the better your policy, but the premium will also increase.
Claims History: If you have never had a claim, a clean claims history would generally mean lower premiums.
Location of Practices: Metro cities may have higher premiums since large cities usually have a higher density of litigation compared to smaller towns.
AOA:AOY ratio: This technical term indicates how multiple claims are counted. A 1:1 ratio (liberal) costs more but treats each claim separately, while 1:4 (conservative) ratio groups claims together.
Example: Dr. Kapoor, a general physician in Jaipur with no claim history, pays around ₹10,000 annually for ₹50 lakh coverage. Dr. Desai, a gynaecologist in Mumbai, pays ₹32,000 for the same coverage due to his higher-risk speciality and location.
The key is balancing adequate protection with affordability – remember, one lawsuit can cost far more than years of premium payments.
Get Expert Help in Choosing the Right Premium Plan
From understanding coverage to deciding premiums, our team ensures you make the smartest choice.
Mitigata – Best PI Insurance Partner for Doctors and Nurses
We’re trusted by over 800+ businesses, including hospitals, clinics, and healthcare startups. Whether you’re a surgeon in a private hospital or a nurse working shifts across clinics, we help you find the best professional indemnity insurance fast with no high fees.
We work directly with top insurers like HDFC ERGO, ICICI Lombard, and Bajaj Allianz, so you’re getting quality protection at the best price.
Here’s what you get with Mitigata:
- Best market pricing from top insurers
- End-to-end help — from getting quotes to paperwork
- Instant support when you need answers
- Fast, smooth claims without drama
- Real humans, not bots, when you need expert advice
Why Medical Professionals in India Need PI Insurance
In India, the number of medical negligence cases is climbing fast. Over 5.2 million complaints were filed in 2023 alone. That’s massive numbers, and it’s not slowing down.
Patients today are quicker to file legal complaints. Social media can amplify a single incident within hours. Even if the case doesn’t hold up in court, the time, stress, and money spent on defence can be crushing.
Professional indemnity insurance gives you constant coverage. It helps you focus on your work without worrying about lawsuits, legal notices, or unexpected financial burdens.
Real-Life Risks Medical Professionals Face
Before purchasing a policy, it is important to understand the real risks faced by medical professionals. Here’s a breakdown of it:
High Legal Costs
Even if you’re not at fault, defending yourself in court is expensive. Lawyer fees, expert opinions, and court costs add up fast. Without insurance, that’s all on you.
Heavy Compensation Payouts
If a court finds you liable, the compensation may include medical bills, lost wages, and emotional damages. These payouts can run into crores, and you’d be personally responsible for paying.
Risk to Personal Assets
If you can’t pay out of pocket, your savings, investments, or even your home could be at risk. Some doctors have had to liquidate their assets just to settle claims.
Threat to Medical License
A serious negligence claim can trigger a review by the medical board. In worst-case scenarios, it could lead to license suspension or permanent cancellation
Loss of Hospital Privileges
Hospitals protect their reputation. If you’re involved in a legal dispute, especially one that gets media attention, you could lose your right to practice within that facility.
Future Job Struggles
Employers check litigation history. Even if a case was dismissed, having multiple lawsuits on your record can make future hiring difficult.
Public Backlash and Trust Issues
Whether it’s in the news or on social media, a single patient complaint can damage years of hard-earned trust.
Pay ₹75,000/Year* and Get ₹5 Cr* Professional Indemnity Cover
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Why Medical Professionals in India Need PI Insurance
In India, the number of medical negligence cases is climbing fast. Over 5.2 million complaints were filed in 2023 alone. That’s massive numbers, and it’s not slowing down.
Patients today are quicker to file legal complaints. Social media can amplify a single incident within hours. Even if the case doesn’t hold up in court, the time, stress, and money spent on defence can be crushing.
Professional indemnity insurance gives you constant coverage. It helps you focus on your work without worrying about lawsuits, legal notices, or unexpected financial burdens.
Real-Life Risks Medical Professionals Face
Before purchasing a policy, it is important to understand the real risks faced by medical professionals. Here’s a breakdown of it:
- High Legal Costs
Even if you’re not at fault, defending yourself in court is expensive. Lawyer fees, expert opinions, and court costs add up fast. Without insurance, that’s all on you.
- Heavy Compensation Payouts
If a court finds you liable, the compensation may include medical bills, lost wages, and emotional damages. These payouts can run into crores, and you’d be personally responsible for paying.
- Risk to Personal Assets
If you can’t pay out of pocket, your savings, investments, or even your home could be at risk. Some doctors have had to liquidate their assets just to settle claims.
- Threat to Medical License
A serious negligence claim can trigger a review by the medical board. In worst-case scenarios, it could lead to license suspension or permanent cancellation
- Loss of Hospital Privileges
Hospitals protect their reputation. If you’re involved in a legal dispute, especially one that gets media attention, you could lose your right to practice within that facility.
- Future Job Struggles
Employers check litigation history. Even if a case was dismissed, having multiple lawsuits on your record can make future hiring difficult.
- Public Backlash and Trust Issues
Whether it’s in the news or on social media, a single patient complaint can damage years of hard-earned trust.
If you’re looking for a comparison guide, do check out this expertly curated list of top PI companies in India.
PI Insurance for Nurses: Why It’s Essential Too
Nurses are the first line of care in almost every medical setting. They handle medication, monitor patients, give advice, and often deal directly with families. One small misunderstanding, a wrong dosage, or even a missed note can lead to serious consequences and legal action.
In 2023, several high-profile cases involving nurses in India resulted in negligence lawsuits being filed against them. In one instance, a nurse was held responsible for administering the wrong medication dose during a night shift.
She didn’t intend harm — but the patient’s family still took legal action. The hospital didn’t cover her. She had to pay for her own legal defence.
In 2025, an increasing number of nurses began purchasing professional indemnity policies, as they provide full coverage against legal, financial, and career setbacks.
Conclusion
If you’re a doctor, nurse, or medical professional in India, now’s the time to protect yourself. With lawsuits on the rise and patient expectations increasing, professional indemnity insurance is a necessity in today’s healthcare environment.
Still not sure whether to buy it or not?
Let Mitigata help you. We offer expert advice, comparative price plans and instant service available when you need it the most.
Ready to protect your career? Talk to us now!
