Florida Locum Tenens Malpractice Insurance: 7 Checks Before Your First Shift

Florida physicians accepting locum tenens or moonlighting work should verify malpractice coverage for the specific assignment before treating patients. Ask who insures you, which duties are covered, what limits apply, and how claims reported after the assignment ends will be handled.

“Malpractice included” is a starting point for a conversation. Request the documents that explain what that promise means for your work.

Does the staffing agency provide malpractice insurance?

Ask the agency directly and request written evidence. The National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations includes malpractice insurance among the questions physicians should ask when choosing a staffing firm. See NALTO’s guide to choosing a locum tenens firm.

For a direct contract with a hospital or medical group, ask the same questions. Identify the party responsible for arranging coverage and the policy that will apply to you.

What should you check before your first shift?

Use this checklist with the agency, facility, and insurance professional. Ask them to identify the policy provisions or endorsements supporting their answers.

1. Your insured status. Confirm how you qualify as an insured. Ask for the declarations, relevant insured schedule, or policy language identifying covered physicians.
2. The assignment. Confirm the facility, state, dates, specialty, procedures, and responsibilities. Include any emergency department work, supervision, telemedicine, or duties outside your usual practice.
3. The limits. Check the per-claim limit and aggregate. Ask whether the aggregate is shared with other clinicians and whether defense expenses reduce the available limits.
4. The policy form. Identify whether coverage is occurrence or claims-made. For claims-made coverage, confirm the applicable retroactive date and reporting conditions.
5. Responsibility after departure. Ask who arranges and pays for any needed tail coverage, when it must be obtained, and what happens if the agency changes insurers or stops operating.
6. Your financial obligations. Review deductibles, self-insured retentions, and any contract language requiring you to reimburse another party. Have an attorney review unclear indemnity provisions.
7. Claims reporting. Obtain the insurer’s reporting instructions and a contact you can use after the assignment ends. Keep copies with your assignment records.

Request a certificate of insurance, but also request the relevant policy terms. Your review should answer the checklist questions rather than stop at the certificate’s coverage dates.

How do claims-made and occurrence policies affect locum work?

Occurrence coverage generally responds to covered incidents during its policy period, even when a claim comes later. Claims-made coverage generally requires a claim during the applicable coverage period and an incident on or after the retroactive date; reporting requirements also matter.

Tail coverage extends the time to report eligible claims involving earlier care. It does not insure new treatment after the policy ends. Review the actual endorsement’s duration, limits, and conditions. For background, see MedPro’s explanation of occurrence, claims-made, and tail coverage.

Before leaving an assignment, request written confirmation of how your earlier work will remain protected. Ask your insurance professional to review any proposed tail or replacement prior-acts arrangement.

Does Florida require the same limits for every physician?

No. Florida’s physician financial responsibility laws contain different requirements, alternatives, and exemptions. Under the professional liability insurance method, the statutes generally specify at least $100,000 per claim and $300,000 annual aggregate, with higher $250,000/$750,000 amounts for hospital staff privileges and specified ambulatory surgical center activities.

Review the provisions applicable to your license and practice: Florida Statutes section 458.320 for medical physicians and section 459.0085 for osteopathic physicians.

Separately, obtain the facility’s written credentialing requirements and your contract’s required limits. Compare all three before selecting coverage; a statutory amount alone does not establish that a policy meets your assignment requirements.

Do you need a separate policy for moonlighting?

Start by asking your current insurer whether the outside work is covered. Request written confirmation addressing the actual duties, locations, and contracting arrangement. If coverage does not apply, discuss an endorsement or separate policy before the first shift.

If you contract through an LLC or professional entity, include its legal name and operations in the review. Ask whether both you and the entity need coverage. MedPro’s physician entity application illustrates why entity names and separate activities require specific underwriting attention; another insurer’s requirements may differ.

What information should you send for a coverage review?

Prepare your current declarations and endorsements, CV, license details, requested limits, assignment contract, facility information, anticipated hours, and a description of procedures and supervision duties. Provide loss runs and explanations of claims or disciplinary matters when requested. Answer application questions fully and accurately.

Organize your underwriting questions with the free medical malpractice assessment tool. An assessment does not bind insurance or confirm coverage.

Frequently asked questions

Does a hospital’s policy automatically cover my outside shifts?

Do not assume it does. Ask for written confirmation that you qualify as an insured for the specific outside assignment and duties.

Do I need tail coverage when a locum assignment ends?

The answer depends on the policy form and continuing coverage arrangements. Ask for a written review before the assignment ends.

Can I use one malpractice policy for multiple assignments?

Ask the insurer to review every assignment, location, and scope of work. Obtain any required approvals or endorsements before starting.

Review your coverage before accepting the assignment

Island Insurance Group’s Florida medical malpractice insurance review can help you evaluate policy structure, limits, prior acts, and the information needed to explore available options.

Bring your existing policy and assignment details. The goal is to resolve unanswered coverage questions before your first patient encounter.

Samuel Bennett, Licensed Insurance Agent
Email: sam@islandinsurancegroup.com
Phone: 954-804-8144
Schedule an appointment

Educational information, not legal advice. Coverage, eligibility, premiums, limits, exclusions, and availability depend on the applicant, policy, and insurer. The policy and endorsements govern coverage.