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What every young optometrist should know about malpractice insurance

November 23, 2025

Malpractice insurance is a tool integral to protecting your reputation, finances and peace of mind.

Tag(s): Practice Management, Perfect Your Practice

Malpractice Illustration


Key Takeaways

  • Malpractice insurance protects you in your career as a doctor of optometry in the case that a patient files a claim against you.
  • It is critical to understand your policy to assess whether you and your career are adequately protected. 

As you begin your optometric career, it’s important to understand how malpractice insurance—sometimes referred to as professional liability insurance—protects you in your career as a doctor of optometry in the case that a patient files a claim against you. Whether your employer provides your malpractice insurance or you are responsible for procuring your own malpractice insurance, it is critical to understand your policy to assess whether you and your career are adequately protected.  

The Young OD’s Comprehensive Guide to Malpractice Insurance is a free resource designed to help demystify malpractice insurance for new doctors of optometry. 

The guide highlights topics such as: 

  • When and how to apply for coverage
  • How to compare quotes and identify the policy that best fits your needs
  • The differences between “claims-made” and “occurrence” policies
  • Common exclusions and policy limits to be aware of
  • How to obtain portable coverage when working in multiple practices
  • How to read your certificate of insurance
  • How early career ODs can receive a significant discount on their malpractice insurance policies 

Malpractice insurance is a tool integral to protecting your reputation, finances and peace of mind. With clear explanations and insights from the industry experts at Lockton Affinity, AOAExcel®’s endorsed malpractice insurance provider, this guide explores what every young doctor should know before choosing a malpractice policy. 

Download The Young OD’s Comprehensive Guide to Malpractice Insurance today to take the first step toward protecting your career.