FPIC offers coverage for physicians, dentists, optometrists, allied healthcare practitioners and healthcare facilities in Florida. For a complete description of coverage, choose the profession below that is applicable to your practice. For more information, contact your First Professionals agent representative or the Underwriting Department at (800) 741-3742, ext. 3218.
Physicians
Products
Medical Professional Liability
Offering protection against allegations of malpractice, coverage is provided in the form of a claims-made policy. Service as a member of a formal hospital or professional society board or committee is covered. The policy also covers certain employees for damages resulting from a medical incident.
Investigation Defense Coverage
Includes legal defense coverage - at no additional charge - for covered proceedings instituted against an insured before a regulatory or administrative body arising out of your professional practice while insured under the policy. This coverage also includes legal defense protection against actions from state and federal organizations, such as OSHA and EEOC. Coverage for allegations of Medicare and Medicaid fraud and abuse is subject to a $1,000 deductible. Limits of $25,000 per incident and $75,000 annual aggregate apply.
Employee Coverage
Employees other than physicians or physician extenders (defined as physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists or nurse midwives) are covered on a shared limit basis for providing or failure to provide professional services, at no additional charge. Physician extenders can be covered, if approved by our Underwriting Department, on a shared limit basis on a solo policy. An additional premium may be charged. Physician extenders scheduled on a clinic (i.e., group) policy are eligible for separate limits of liability.
Vicarious Liability
On a shared limit basis, your policy covers the vicarious liability that you are legally responsible for due to the actions of your employees, and the vicarious liability that the partnership, corporation, or professional association is legally responsible for due to your actions.
Additional Policy Features
Claims-Made vs. Occurrence Policies
First Professionals provides professional liability insurance in the form of a claims-made policy. Under this policy, you are protected for claims/incidents that meet three conditions: (1) they must be an exposure covered by the policy; (2) they must be reported while the coverage is still in force; and (3) they must occur subsequent to the retroactive date shown on your policy.
An occurrence policy provides coverage for claims which occur during the policy period regardless of when the claim was made. For policies issued with the same effective date and retroactive date, our claims-made policy involves a five-year, stair step approach. The first year, the premium is lower, with progressively increasing premiums up to year five to compensate for the longer reporting period. At the fifth year, the liability risk is considered mature, and premiums remain level except for company-wide increases or decreases.
Prior acts coverage is available (subject to underwriting approval) when transferring from another claims-made policy. With this option, you do not have to purchase costly tail coverage from your prior insurance company.
Nonassessable vs. Assessable
Assessable insurance carriers reserve the right to charge or "assess" policyholders an additional premium in the event the carrier's losses exceed premium income. At First Professionals, your financial obligation begins and ends with your yearly premium - you will never have an assessed fee.
New Doctor Discount
Qualifying professionals receive a 65% discount on first-year policy premiums, a 30% discount on second-year rates, and 15% on third-year rates. Those completing a military or public service obligation as remuneration for medical school tuition are also eligible for this discount.
Part-Time Discount
Discounts up to 50% are available for those providers who meet the following qualifications: Practice does not exceed 1,000 hours per year, part-time status must be permanent or of long-term duration, and annual verification is required.
Loss-Free Discounts
Loss-free discounts range from 10%-25% and are based on the number of years without a claim in excess of $50,000 or an indemnity reserve of $100,000 or more.
Reporting Endorsement (Tail) Coverage
If an insured cancels for any reason, First Professionals will provide an offer for an extended reporting period endorsement (often referred to as “tail coverage”). This endorsement provides coverage for claims that are made after the First Professionals policy expires, but arose from a qualifying medical incident that occurred while the policy was in force.
Locum Tenens
Coverage may be added to your policy at no additional charge, with a shared policy limit. This option is available to physicians who will not be practicing in any manner during this period. A second option allows for an individual temporary policy, including tail coverage, at a separate limit of liability for an additional premium.
Earned Reporting Endorsement Coverage
First Professionals provides free tail coverage upon death or disability, or upon retirement after being with the company for five consecutive years.
Portability
First Professionals policyholders can move their coverage to any other state that First Professionals is actively writing new business.
Affiliated Product Programs
Expectation Management and Medical Information (EMMI)
EMMI is a web-based program that educates patients on certain procedures. EMMI combines clinical and legal best practices into a web-based tool for healthcare providers who want to manage risk by developing better relationships with patients and by increasing their satisfaction with the care provided. Its intuitive approach is very easy for the patients to follow and is available in English and Spanish. It tracks the patient’s progress through the program and can be called upon to recreate that progress whenever informed consent becomes a claim issue. There are currently more than 25 programs available that include OB/GYN, general surgery, bariatric surgery, plastic/cosmetic surgery, cardiovascular surgery, orthopaedics, gastric bypass surgery, oral surgery and LASIK procedures. More than 100 procedures are planned within the year. First Professionals has negotiated a discounted rate fee for our insureds. For more information regarding the EMMI program, contact David Eismont, Director of Large Group Sales at (800) 741-3742, ext. 3070.
Accidental Death and Dismemberment
First Professionals insureds receive $100,000 of accidental death and dismemberment coverage. There is no cost to the insured for the first $100,000 of coverage. Insureds will forfeit the free base coverage if they no longer purchase malpractice insurance from First Professionals. For more information regarding accidental death and dismemberment coverage, contact Sharon Allen, Director of Policyholder Services at (800) 741-3742, ext. 3026.
Allied Healthcare Practitioners
Products
Medical Professional Liability
Offering protection against allegations of malpractice, coverage is provided in the form of a claims-made policy. Service as a member of a formal hospital or profesional society board or committee is covered. The policy also covers certain employees for damages resulting from a medical incident.
Investigation Defense Coverage
Includes legal defense coverage - at no additional charge - for covered proceedings instituted against an insured before a regulatory or administrative body arising out of your professional practice while insured under the policy. This coverage also includes legal defense protection against actions from state and federal organizations, such as OSHA and EEOC. Coverage for allegations of Medicare and Medicaid fraud and abuse is subject to a $1,000 deductible. Limits of $25,000 per incident and $75,000 annual aggregate apply.
Corporate Liability
On a shared limit basis, your policy can be endorsed to cover the vicarious liability that your employer is legally responsible for due to your actions.
Additional Policy Features
Claims-Made vs. Occurrence Policies
First Professionals provides professional liability insurance in the form of a claims-made policy. Under this policy, you are protected for claims/incidents that meet three conditions: (1) they must be an exposure covered by the policy; (2) they must be reported while the coverage is still in force; and (3) they must occur subsequent to the retroactive date shown on your policy.
An
occurrence policy provides coverage for claims which occur during the policy period regardless of when the claim was made. For policies issued with the same effective date and retroactive date, our claims-made policy involves a five-year, stair step approach. The first year, the premium is lower, with progressively increasing premiums up to year five to compensate for the longer reporting period. At the fifth year, the liability risk is considered mature, and premiums remain level except for company-wide increases or decreases.
Prior acts coverage is available (subject to underwriting approval) when transferring from another claims-made policy. With this option, you do not have to purchase costly tail coverage from your prior insurance company.
Nonassessable vs. Assessable
Assessable insurance carriers reserve the right to charge or "assess" policyholders an additional premium in the event the carrier's losses exceed premium income. At First Professionals, your financial obligation begins and ends with your yearly premium - you will never have an assessed fee.
Part-Time Discount
Discounts up to 50% are available for those providers who meet the following qualifications: Practice does not exceed 1,000 hours per year, part-time status must be permanent or of long-term duration, and annual verification is required.
Reporting Endorsement (Tail) Coverage
If an insured cancels for any reason First Professionals will provide an extended reporting period endorsement (often referred to as “tail coverage.”) This endorsement provides coverage for claims that are made after the First Professionals policy expires, but arose from a qualifying medical incident that occurred while the policy was in force.
Locum Tenens
Coverage may be added to your policy at no additional charge, with a shared policy limit. This option is available to you if you will not be practicing in any manner during this period.
Portability
First Professionals policyholders can move their coverage to any other state that First Professionals is actively writing new business.
Dentists
Products
Dental Professional Liability
First Professionals provides dental professional liability insurance through an exclusive agency relationship with FDA Services. For more information regarding FDA Services, please visit their website at www.fdaservices.com.
Dental coverage is available in the form of a claims-made policy. The policy involves a five-year, stair step approach. The first year, the premium is lower, with progressively increasing premiums up to year five to compensate for the longer reporting period. At the fifth year, the policy is considered mature, and the premiums remain level except for company-wide increases or decreases.
Non-Assessable Modified Claims-Made Coverage
The policy is a non-assessable, modified claims-made form designed specifically for this program, which eliminates the need for purchasing tail coverage in the following situations: Death - your estate will be protected; Disability - if you cannot continue practicing dentistry; Retirement - full retirement at any age after five consecutive years of coverage with First Professionals immediately preceding retirement.
Prior Acts Coverage
When transferring from another claims-made policy, it may not be necessary to purchase tail coverage. Call your FDA Services representative for details at (800) 877-7597.
AHCA, OSHA and EEOC Coverage
Limits of $25,000 per incident/$75,000 aggregate per year at no cost for defense of an investigation by the Agency for Healthcare Administration (AHCA) arising from claims First Professionals is handling under your professional liability policy. An extension of benefits is available, for an additional charge, for AHCA coverage to include defense for all types of AHCA investigations.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) coverage applies to OSHA investigations of your office to determine compliance with OSHA regulations. This coverage provides you with a defense of those allegations, provided the investigation was started by OSHA on or after July 1, 1993.
Coverage also includes investigations made by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Employee Coverage
Employees other than dentists or nurse anesthetists are covered on a shared limit basis for providing or failure to provide professional services, at no additional charge.
Vicarious Liability
On a shared limit basis, your policy covers the vicarious liability that you are legally responsible for due to the actions of your employees, and the vicarious liability that the partnership, corporation, or professional association is legally responsible for due to your actions.
Additional Policy Features
New Doctor Discount
Qualifying professionals receive the following discounts: 65% discount on first year policy premium, 30% discount on second year policy premium, and 15% discount on third year policy premium.
Part-Time Discount
Discounts up to 50% are available for those providers who meet the following qualifications: Practice does not exceed 1,000 hours per year; part-time status must be permanent or of long-term duration; and annual verification is required.
Loss-Free Discount
Five percent for 5-9 years loss-free and 10% for 10 or more years loss-free.
Tail Coverage
Setting the standard for the industry, First Professionals offers free death or disability tail coverage. Free retirement tail coverage is available at any age after five consecutive years of coverage with First Professionals.
Locum Tenens
Coverage may be added to your policy at no additional charge, with a shared policy limit. This option is available to dentists who will not be practicing in any manner during this period. A second option allows for an individual temporary policy, including tail coverage, at a separate limit of liability for an additional premium.
Dental Student Coverage
An individual attending a Florida university on a full-time basis in the school of dentistry is eligible for coverage with limits of $250,000 per incident and $750,000 annual aggregate. The premium for this coverage is $15.00 per exam.
Affiliated Product Programs
Expectation Management and Medical Information (EMMI)
EMMI is a web-based program that educates patients on certain procedures. EMMI combines clinical and legal best practices into a web-based tool for healthcare providers who want to manage risk by developing better relationships with patients and by increasing their satisfaction with the care provided. Its intuitive approach is very easy for the patients to follow and is available in English and Spanish. It tracks the patient’s progress through the program and can be called upon to recreate that progress whenever informed consent becomes a claim issue. There are currently more than 25 programs available that include OB/GYN, general surgery, bariatric surgery, plastic/cosmetic surgery, cardiovascular surgery, orthopaedics, gastric bypass surgery, oral surgery and LASIK procedures. More than 100 procedures are planned within the year. First Professionals has negotiated a discounted rate fee for our insureds. For more information regarding the EMMI program, contact David Eismont, Director of Large Group Sales, (800) 741-3742, ext. 3070.
Accidental Death and Dismemberment
First Professionals insureds receive $100,000 of accidental death and dismemberment coverage. There is no cost to the First Professionals insured for the first $100,000 of coverage. Insureds will forfeit the free base coverage if they no longer purchase malpractice insurance from First Professionals. For more information regarding accidental death and dismemberment coverage, contact Sharon Allen, Director of Policyholder Services, (800) 741-3742, ext. 3026.
Optometrists
Products
Optometry Professional Liability
First Professionals provides optometry professional liability insurance through an exclusive agency relationship with FDA Services. For more information regarding FDA Services, please visit their website at www.fdaservices.com.
Optometry coverage is available in the form of a claims-made policy. The policy involves a five-year, stair step approach. The first year, the premium is lower, with progressively increasing premiums up to year five to compensate for the longer reporting period. At the fifth year, the policy is considered mature, and the premiums remain level except for company-wide increases or decreases.
Non-Assessable Modified Claims-Made Coverage
The policy is a non-assessable, modified claims-made form designed specifically for this program, which eliminates the need for purchasing tail coverage in the following situations: Death - your estate will be protected; Disability - if you cannot continue practicing dentistry; Retirement - full retirement at any age after five consecutive years of coverage with First Professionals immediately preceding retirement.
Prior Acts Coverage
When transferring from another claims-made policy, it may not be necessary to purchase tail coverage. Call your FDA Services representative for details at (800) 877-7597.
AHCA, OSHA and EEOC Coverage
Limits of $25,000 per incident/$75,000 aggregate per year at no cost for defense of an investigation by the Agency for Healthcare Administration (AHCA) arising from claims First Professionals is handling under your professional liability policy. An extension of benefits is available, for an additional charge, for AHCA coverage to include defense for all types of AHCA investigations.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) coverage applies to OSHA investigations of your office to determine compliance with OSHA regulations. This coverage provides you with a defense of those allegations, provided the investigation was started by OSHA on or after July 1, 1993.
Coverage also includes investigations made by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Vicarious Liability
On a shared limit basis, your policy covers the vicarious liability that you are legally responsible for due to the actions of your employees, and the vicarious liability that the partnership, corporation, or professional association is legally responsible for due to your actions.
Additional Policy Features
Claims-Made vs. Occurrence Policies
First Professionals provides professional liability insurance in the form of a claims-made policy. Under this policy, you are protected for claims/incidents that meet three conditions: (1) they must be an exposure covered by the policy; (2) they must be reported while the coverage is still in force; and (3) they must occur subsequent to the retroactive date shown on your policy.
An occurrence policy provides coverage for claims which occur during the policy period regardless of when the claim was made. For policies issued with the same effective date and retroactive date, our claims-made policy involves a five-year, stair step approach. The first year, the premium is lower, with progressively increasing premiums up to year five to compensate for the longer reporting period. At the fifth year, the liability risk is considered mature, and premiums remain level except for company-wide increases or decreases.
Prior acts coverage is available (subject to underwriting approval) when transferring from another claims-made policy. With this option, you do not have to purchase costly tail coverage from your prior insurance company.
Nonassessable vs. Assessable
Assessable insurance carriers reserve the right to charge or "assess" policyholders an additional premium in the event the carrier's losses exceed premium income. At First Professionals, your financial obligation begins and ends with your yearly premium - you will never have an assessed fee.
Part-Time Discount
Discounts up to 50% are available for those providers who meet the following qualifications: Practice does not exceed 1,000 hours per year; part-time status must be permanent or of long-term duration; and annual verification is required.
Tail Coverage
Setting the standard for the industry, First Professionals offers free death or disability tail coverage. Free retirement tail coverage is available at any age after five consecutive years of coverage with First Professionals.
Portability
First Professionals policyholders can move their coverage to any other state that First Professionals is actively writing new business.
Locum Tenens
Coverage may be added to your policy at no additional charge, with a shared policy limit. This option is available to dentists who will not be practicing in any manner during this period. A second option allows for an individual temporary policy, including tail coverage, at a separate limit of liability for an additional premium.
Healthcare Facilities
Products
Healthcare Professional Liability
Offering protection against allegations of malpractice, coverage is provided in the form of a claims-made policy. Service as a member of a formal hospital or professional society board or committee is also covered. The following types of healthcare facilities will be considered for coverage:
- Organ or Blood Facility
- Optical Establishment
- Ocular Laboratory
- Dental Laboratory
- Routine Clinical Pathology Laboratory
- Medical Laboratory
- X-Ray Laboratory
- Research & Development Laboratory
- Wellness/Fitness Center
- Medical Equipment Sales/Rent
- Mammography Center
- MRI Center
- CAT
- PET
- Pharmaceutical Lab
- Quality Control/Reference Lab
- Medi-Spa
- Community Health Center
- Clinics
- Home Healthcare
- Urgent Care Center
- Physical/Occupational Rehabilitation
- Dialysis Center
- Outpatient Surgery Center – Ophthalmic
- Outpatient Surgery Center - All Other
- Outpatient Surgery Center - Orthopedic and Plastic
- Outpatient Surgery Center - General Surgery and OB/Gyn
- Cardiac Catheterization Lab
Non-Assessable Modified Claims-Made Coverage
The policy is a non-assessable, modified claims-made form designed specifically for this program, which eliminates the need for purchasing tail coverage in the following situations: Death - your estate will be protected; Disability - if you cannot continue practicing dentistry; Retirement - full retirement at any age after five consecutive years of coverage with First Professionals immediately preceding retirement.
Prior Acts Coverage
When transferring from another claims-made policy, it may not be necessary to purchase tail coverage. The company will consider all requests for prior acts.
Employee Coverage
Coverage arrangements must be made for the following ancillary employees: Physician Assistants, Nurse Midwives, Nurse Anesthetists, Anesthesia Assistants, and Nurse Practitioners. Coverage can be offered on a shared basis or separate limits of liability can be purchased. The policyholder will also have the option of purchasing vicarious coverage only, should the ancillary employee be insured with another company. Regardless of the coverage arrangement, an application for coverage must be submitted for each employee and coverage must be approved by the company prior to the employee start date. A retroactive date will be assigned to the ancillary employee. Schedule rating, part-time and deductible discounts are available. Individual tail coverage will be made available to those employees purchasing separate limits of liability if coverage is cancelled. Ancillary employees not listed above may either share in the facility coverage or a separate limit of liability may be purchased.
Additional Policy Features
Claims-Made vs. Occurrence Policies
First Professionals provides professional liability insurance in the form of a claims-made policy. Under this policy, you are protected for claims/incidents that meet three conditions: (1) they must be an exposure covered by the policy; (2) they must be reported while the coverage is still in force; and (3) they must occur subsequent to the retroactive date shown on your policy. An occurrence policy provides coverage for claims which occur during the policy period regardless of when the claim was made. For policies issued with the same effective date and retroactive date, our claims-made policy involves a five-year, stair step approach. The first year, the premium is lower, with progressively increasing premiums up to year five to compensate for the longer reporting period. At the fifth year, the liability risk is considered mature, and premiums remain level except for company-wide increases or decreases. Prior acts coverage is available (subject to underwriting approval) when transferring from another claims-made policy. With this option, you do not have to purchase costly tail coverage from your prior insurance company.
Non-Assessable vs. Assessable
Assessable insurance carriers reserve the right to charge or "assess" policyholders an additional premium in the event the carrier's losses exceed premium income. At First Professionals, your financial obligation begins and ends with your yearly premium - you will never have an assessed fee.
Loss-Free Discounts
Loss-free discounts of up to 10% are available and are based on the number of years without a claim in excess of $50,000 or an indemnity reserve of $100,000 or more.
Reporting Endorsement (Tail) Coverage
If an insured cancels for any reason, First Professionals will provide an extended offer for a reporting endorsement (often referred to as “tail coverage.”) This endorsement provides coverage for claims that are made after the First Professionals policy expires, but arose from a qualifying medical incident that occurred while the policy was in force.