Incidents of police misconduct — and trials related to these incidents — have been making the news across America. That’s left many police officers asking what they can do to protect themselves against the risk of getting sued over how they do their job. One option is to purchase a personal police malpractice insurance policy in addition to the coverage they receive through work.
Malpractice insurance policies for police officers, also known as police protective liability insurance policies, are designed to shield them from risks and liabilities while on the job. In this article, I’ll explain everything you need to know about police malpractice insurance, including the top providers of it, so you can get the coverage that’s right for you at a fair premium price.
- 5 best malpractice insurance companies for police officers
- What is police malpractice insurance?
- What does police malpractice insurance cover?
- Who needs police malpractice coverage?
- Is malpractice insurance for police mandatory?
- Why do I need a police professional liability policy?
- How much does liability insurance for police officers cost?
5 best malpractice insurance companies for police officers
- Travelers: Best for police officers who want coverage from an industry leader
- XINSURANCE: Best for officers finding it impossible to get coverage
- John M. Glover Insurance Agency: Best for coverage in certain New England and Mid Atlantic states
- FEDS: Best for coverage for federal officers
- Prime Insurance Company: Best claims experience
Travelers: Best for police officers who want coverage from an industry leader
Travelers is a leading provider of professional liability insurance in the United States. The company has been in business for more than 165 years and is the only property casualty company in the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
Travelers is known for its high level of customer service, flexible solutions, responsive service, and cutting-edge innovation.
Travelers is known for its:
- Flexible solutions. It can customize coverage to meet the needs of different types of officers
- Responsive and reliable service. An experienced professional is always available to answer your questions about your professional liability coverage or help you with a claim.
- Innovation. Even though Travelers has been around for a long time, it’s known as a leading innovator in the insurance industry.
In the end, Travelers offers quality professional liability protection for police officers. You owe it to yourself to see if this industry leader could be the right insurer for you. You can get coverage through an insurance agent affiliated with Travelers.
XINSURANCE: Best for officers finding it impossible to get coverage
The XINSURANCE underwriting team brings over 40 years of experience finding ways to cover people in hard-to-insure jobs. XINSURANCE specializes in helping individuals and businesses who live a lifestyle or participate in activities that make them difficult for traditional carriers to insure, including police officers. If you’ve been denied, non-renewed, or canceled coverage, XINSURANCE may be able to help you out.
The company is also uniquely able to offer customized limits, coverage, deductibles, and premiums to create the perfect protection for every police officer. With XINSURANCE, you can submit an application for a quote online and they will get back to you with one, or you can speak with a representative.
John M. Glover Insurance Agency: Best for coverage in certain New England and Mid Atlantic states
The John M. Glover Agency has been in business since 1916. It serves customers in Connecticut, New York, and Rhode Island. The agency works with many well-known insurers to develop unique programs tailored to the needs of specific groups, including police officers. Despite offering top-quality customized coverage and excellent service, the agency also provides competitively priced coverage. You can get a quote over the phone, visit one of the agency’s many offices or fill out an online application.
FEDS: Best for coverage for federal officers
FEDS started more than 20 years ago defending federal employees against wrongful charges. In 2007, the firm founded FEDS Protection to make covering liability costs affordable to all federal employees.
FEDs partners exclusively with A+ (Superior) rated insurance carriers. They tailor their coverage to the needs of individual federal officers. Federal law enforcement employee associations have named FEDS a number one professional liability insurance provider. The firm has offices in Washington, D.C., New Jersey, and Illinois. You can fill out an application online to request a quote or speak with an agent over the phone.
Learn more at the best professional liability insurance (or malpractice insurance) for federal officers
Prime Insurance Company: Best claims experience
Prime Insurance Company is known for providing innovative liability solutions for specialty risks, including those faced by police officers. They’re able to provide coverage for many people and businesses that would otherwise go uninsured.
Prime Insurance Company has been in business for 40 years. Because it has in-house underwriting and risk management teams, the firm writes policies for many risk classes, including police officers. The firm’s claims team has successfully handled more than 70,000 claims. You can complete an application for coverage online or speak with someone over the phone to get a quote.
What is police malpractice insurance?
When out protecting people, police officers often find themselves in risky situations. Fast action and force are often needed when facing down danger. It’s easy for officers to make mistakes when handling challenging situations.
Police malpractice insurance protects police officers if they make mistakes while enforcing the law.
This policy will help to cover situations where forceful acts taken or other behaviors might be considered wrongful and an officer is sued over them.
Malpractice insurance is another name for professional liability coverage. It helps protect professionals of all professions from the mistakes, errors, and omissions they make in their work and are thus sued by their clients. It is also called errors and omissions (E&O) in some professions.
What does police malpractice insurance cover?
If a police officer is found guilty of committing a wrongful act while on the job, malpractice insurance for law enforcement officials can help pay for damages, including bodily injury, property damage, and personal injury. Wrongful acts can include things like false arrests, negligence, and civil rights violations.
Whether the officer is found guilty or not, the insurance will cover legal costs if they’re sued over a wrongful act while on the job.
What does police malpractice insurance not cover?
A police liability policy typically does not cover injuries or damage to property such as squad cars that happen because of an accident that’s not associated with a wrongful act.
Who needs police malpractice coverage?
Officers who want an extra layer of protection beyond what they get through their work should consider this coverage. It’s a good idea for officers who work in areas where they’re likely to be sued to get this added protection. All types of officers can purchase this insurance, from traffic cops to detectives. Officers can rest assured knowing that while they’re out protecting others, they’re protected as well.
Is malpractice insurance for police mandatory?
Police officers are typically covered for malpractice by workplace-based policies, or settlements are paid for by taxpayers, so this coverage is usually an add-on to that.
However, it’s essential to be aware that more and more governments are introducing legislation that could make it mandatory for officers to get their own coverage. The thinking is that after the recent spate of violent and racially charged incidents involving police officers, making them get their own liability coverage would make them more mindful on the job.
Why do I need a police professional liability policy?
Police officers face claims of negligence, failure to protect, false arrests, or civil rights violations. These suits can lead to costly litigation for law enforcement professionals. Police professional liability protection can help mitigate financial losses related to lawsuits.
Over the last several years, courts have made it easier for criminals and suspects to bring suits against law enforcement and criminal justice personnel. Add to this that juries are more likely to rule against officers, and awards have skyrocketed. And the price of litigation is higher than ever. The likelihood of lawsuits, guilty verdicts, and high payouts make police malpractice insurance something more and more officers are purchasing.
How much does liability insurance for police officers cost?
The price varies and is based on many factors, including the type of police work you do, where you do it, and your level of coverage. Get quotes from our recommended insurers and compare policies and prices to get the coverage you need at a fair price.
