Malpractice Insurance for Podiatrists

Podiatrists provide both medical and surgical care for the foot and ankle, helping patients with everything from routine orthotics to complex joint reconstructions. Because their work often involves surgical procedures, implants, and post-operative care, podiatrists face a higher risk of malpractice lawsuits than many other medical specialties.

Homewood Insurance helps podiatrists protect their practice, their license, and their financial future with tailored malpractice coverage. This page explains the following:

What Insurance Includes – breakdown of malpractice (professional liability) and optional general liability protections for podiatrists.
Cost of Coverage – typical premium ranges and the main factors affecting pricing by state and procedure mix.
Higher-Risk Exposures – surgeries and activities that often increase premiums or trigger exclusions.
Why Work With Homewood – how we help podiatrists navigate underwriting and secure the right protection.

Get a Free Quote Now

The fastest way to find the right podiatrist malpractice insurance is to complete our quick quote form. Provide details about your practice, procedures, and claims history, and we’ll connect you with top carriers offering tailored protection at competitive rates.

Malpractice Insurance for Podiatrists can include:

Malpractice coverage for both surgical and non-surgical treatment of the foot and ankle.
Protection for advanced and high-risk procedures such as joint reconstruction, arthrodesis (fusion), use of implants, and laser surgery.
Includes coverage for complications from compound and simple fracture treatment.
Optional general liability insurance.
Limits available up to $1 million per claim / $3 million per year aggregate.
Coverage for telemedicine and telehealth services.
Protection for professional board investigations, licensing issues, and disciplinary proceedings.
Multi-state licensing support for podiatrists practicing across state lines.

Insurance for Podiatrists can include:

Malpractice or liability insurance can provide essential protection against these risks:

Professional Liability (Malpractice)

Covers lawsuits stemming from misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of foot and ankle conditions.
Protection for surgical errors such as wrong-site surgery, nerve damage, improper wound closure, or implant complications.
Includes coverage for conservative treatments such as orthotics, wart removal, or diabetic foot care.
Defense against claims of medication errors or failure to obtain informed consent before procedures.
Protection for negligence in follow-up care and post-surgical management.
Options for flexible deductibles and extended reporting (tail) coverage.

General Liability (optional add on)

Covers third-party bodily injury such as slips, trips, or falls inside your office.
Provides protection if a patient or visitor’s property is damaged on your premises.
Personal and advertising injury coverage, including claims of libel or slander.
Recommended for podiatrists who operate their own practice locations.

Homewood Insurance Group work with different insurance carriers to find you the most suitable coverage at the best price. Get a quick quote now.

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The Cost of Malpractice Insurance for Podiatrists:

Professional Liability (Malpractice) Insurance – Estimated Ranges

Podiatrists in lower-risk states such as Idaho, Minnesota, or North Dakota: around $25,000 per year.
Mid-range states like New Hampshire: approximately $50,000 per year.
Higher-litigation states such as Florida: approximately $70,000 per year.
Washington DC: approximately $75,000 per year.
Manhattan, New York: approximately $125,000 per year.
Las Vegas, Nevada: as high as $450,000 per year.

Factors affecting professional liability cost include:

Geographic location – premiums are higher in states and cities with frequent malpractice lawsuits.
Scope of practice – podiatrists performing advanced surgical procedures typically pay more than those focused on conservative care.
Claims history – past malpractice suits can sharply increase premiums.
Policy type – “claims-made” coverage is cheaper but only covers incidents reported during the active policy period, while “occurrence” policies cover any event that happened during the policy period, even if the claim is filed later.
Coverage limits and deductibles – higher limits and lower deductibles increase costs.

General Liability Insurance – Estimated Ranges:

Small podiatry offices: $1,000 – $2,500 per year.
Mid-sized practices with higher foot traffic: $2,500 – $5,000 per year.
Larger or multi-site podiatry groups: $5,000+ per year.

Factors affecting professional liability cost include:

Costs depend on office size, patient volume, safety measures, and whether additional coverages (such as cyber liability or abuse/molestation) are included.

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High-Risk Procedures and their Impact on your Premiums

While malpractice insurance is widely available to podiatrists, certain procedures raise premiums substantially or may be excluded if they fall outside state scope of practice.

Procedure / Activity	Why It’s Higher Risk	Controls Required	Insurance Impact
Bunion surgery (bunionectomy with osteotomy)	High frequency of complications such as malunion or delayed healing	Detailed informed consent, surgical checklists	Accounts for ~17% of podiatry claims; premiums higher for surgical specialists
Hammer toe repair or digital fusions	Technical precision required; risk of poor outcomes	Proper patient selection and documentation	~7% of podiatry claims; modest premium increases
Ankle procedures (arthroscopy, fracture repair)	More complex than routine foot surgery; higher chance of complications	Specialized certification where state laws permit	Premiums rise significantly; some states restrict scope to below the ankle
Joint reconstruction, arthrodesis, or fusions	Involves implants; risks of infection or failure	Accredited surgical setting; strict sterilization protocols	High-risk; large surcharges; underwriting review required
Laser surgery	Specialized training required; complications if mishandled	Certification and documentation of training	Raises premiums 10–25% if frequently performed
Elective surgeries on high-risk patients	Poor outcomes likely in patients with uncontrolled diabetes or vascular disease	Thorough patient screening and documentation	Premium surcharges; insurers may exclude high-risk candidates

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Other types of Insurance Podiatrists may need

Homewood can often combine different different types of coverage into one policy.

General Liability Insurance

General Liability covers medical expenses and attorney fees which result from bodily injuries and property damage that your facility or organization could be legally responsible for.

Professional Liability Insurance

Also known as malpractice insurance, this protects facilities against claims related to malpractice, negligence, or injury resulting from patient care. Staff members will typically be covered by professional liability insurance.

Sexual Abuse and Molestation Insurance

Provides coverage for your practice against claims arising from alleged sexual misconduct or molestation by an employee or other representative of your organization.

Commercial Property Insurance

This protects your practice against damage or loss to your buildings, equipment, and other property, which can happen as the result of various risks such as fire, theft, or vandalism.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Workers’ Compensation Insurance is usually mandated by law. It protects podiatry practices and employees in case of work-related injuries or illnesses.

Cyber Liability Insurance

Covers you against financial losses associated with data breaches, cyber attacks, and other cyber incidents. Insurers will usually conduct rigorous testing of your online system to fix vulnerabilities as part of this policy.

Why Work With Homewood

Expertise in podiatry malpractice coverage, including surgical specialists.
Access to nearly 100 carriers, allowing us to compare rates and terms in every state.
Support in understanding “claims-made” vs. “occurrence” policies and choosing the right fit.
Guidance on risk management practices that can help lower premiums, such as surgical checklists and patient consent protocols.
Advocacy during claims, license investigations, and board actions.

Call 947-274-3093 or Fill Out the Form

Ralph Schiller

Ralph specializes in sourcing the most suitable insurance for Podiatrists at the best price. You can call him or fill out the form and he will get your message directly.

Call 947-274-3093 or email submissions@homewood.insure.