[Credit: Norcal Mutual Insurance Company's Winter 2010 Broker Report]

Are all medical professional liability insurers the same? Or is there a value difference?

The first thing to consider is service. Experienced brokers know too well that service standards can vary wildly from one insurer to the next. And “service standards” covers a lot of ground, from how long it takes to reach the “right” staff member on the phone to how long it takes that staff person to solve your problem in a clear, friendly, efficient way.

Service includes how well your client’s claims representative supports the client during the course of a case. In a recent letter to NORCAL Mutual, a policyholder described the value difference:

“I want to thank NORCAL and my claims representative for providing excellent claims handling during my recent case. The rep was instrumental in making the claim much easier to tolerate and understand. His selection of the defense attorneys was clearly correct. I am completely satisfied with all aspects of my case.”

Another policyholder wrote, “Always great service! The underwriters are great, the turnaround time is excellent. I continue to feel NORCAL has lived up to its commitment to me.”

The value difference can be measured in many ways:

● NORCAL Mutual doesn’t cap defense costs. After all, is there a cap on the value of a physician’s practice? The policyholder enjoys uncapped defense costs in addition to policy limits, to preserve full coverage for potential indemnity payments.
● We look at whether the standard of care was met, rather than terminate a policy after a couple of indemnity payments have been made.
● To ensure that policyholders enjoy claims-based continuing medical education (CME) that is relevant to patient safety and the reduction of risk, our staff of highly experienced specialists write and develop online and print CME materials, as well as providing onsite risk management consultation and 24/7 phone support.
● Some insurers operate from remote corporate headquarters. NORCAL keeps it as local as possible, with offices in San Francisco and Pasadena, CA, Anchorage, AK and Providence, RI. Furthermore, our Account Executives travel widely and constantly to bring personal attention to our policyholders.
● We know that insurance needs vary greatly among solo practitioners, small groups, large groups, hospitals, and community clinics. So we have specialized expertise in each market sector.

At NORCAL Mutual we aspire to provide unparalleled value to you and your clients. Exemplary service is the norm. There is an expectation of all staff that they will provide great service—an expectation supported by training and company culture.

HCP National Insurance is a national medical malpractice and medical professional liability broker appointed by Norcal. HCP National’s Medical Malpractice Insurance brokerage is located in Orange County, CA.

[Credit: Molly L. Farrell, NORCAL Mutual Insurance Company]

Dear NORCAL Mutual Broker:

We at NORCAL Mutual Insurance Company extend our sympathies to the people and government of Haiti at this difficult time. As part of the growing worldwide relief effort, we are eager to support and extend coverage to policyholders who wish to travel to Haiti to provide volunteer charitable medical services.

We ask that you help us communicate this message to any of your NORCAL Mutual clients who may be planning to travel to Haiti to aid in relief efforts.

We will provide coverage for claims that are instituted in the U.S., its territories and possessions, and Puerto Rico or Canada. Also, we will extend coverage for endorsed healthcare extenders with the policyholder’s consent, limited to services rendered within their scope of training.

For additional details, please contact NORCAL Mutual Policyholder Services at (877) 443-7232.

Molly L. Farrell
Vice President, Sales

HCP National is a national medical malpractice broker appointed by Norcal. HCP National’s Medical Malpractice Insurance brokerage is located in Orange County, CA.