South Dakota Malpractice Insurance

Malpractice insurance rates in South Dakota are among the lowest in the nation. The state’s market is dominated MMIC Insurance Inc., which insures more than two-thirds of South Dakota’s physicians. Other insurers are present in the market, however, and rates can be competitive as these companies try to gain a greater market share.


Our 2023 Physician Buyers Guide for purchasing malpractice insurance in South Dakota 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 Dakota marketplace to find the company that best fits your situation. Choose a broker that can offer multiple quotes from all the major companies in South Dakota that offer coverage for physicians.

How to buy malpractice insurance in South Dakota.

The best way to buy malpractice coverage is to work with a reputable malpractice insurance broker in South Dakota 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 Dakota 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 Dakota.
  2. One of our veteran malpractice insurance agents who specializes in the South Dakota market will contact you to learn more about your specific needs.
  3. We shop your coverage to every major insurance company in South Dakota.
  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.
  5. 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 Dakota, 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 Dakota 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 Dakota.

How much does medical malpractice insurance cost in South Dakota.

Rates for physician malpractice insurance don’t vary much depending on where you practice within the state. Most major insurance companies classify South Dakota 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 Dakota

  • Internal Medicine Average Rate $4,289
  • General Surgeon Average Rate $4,326
  • OB/gyn – Average Rate $19,661
Request a quote

Medical malpractice requirements in South Dakota.

Limits of Liability: The most common limits of liability in South Dakota 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, Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center in Sioux Falls, Monument Health Rapid City Hospital and Dunes Surgery Hospital in Dakota Dunes.

Best Medical malpractice insurance companies in South Dakota.

  1. The Doctors Company
  2. Coverys
  3. Lexington
  4. American Casualty Co.
  5. Continental Casualty

Why partner with Cunningham Group?

Partnering with Cunningham Group will give you a full view of the South Dakota 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 Dakota.

Historic Medical Malpractice Insurance Rates in South Dakota for Physicians.

Brief History and other important facts of medical malpractice insurance in South Dakota.

The medical malpractice climate continues to improve in South Dakota. The state’s Department of Insurance recently announced that medical liability insurance companies reported less than $2 million in settlements for malpractice claims in 2016, less than half of what they were in 2015.

Tort Reform in South Dakota

South Dakota has made several reforms to its medical liability system. Arguably the most important of these is a $500,000 cap on noneconomic damages, which was established in 1985. Other reforms include expert testimony requirements, collateral source reform and the establishment of voluntary arbitration, which allows for an arbitration panel to determine the existence of liability and then gives the parties 30 days to agree on damages. If the parties cannot agree, then the panel makes a determination.