Malpractice Insurance
Plan Details
As a licensed professional, you are legally responsible for the services you or your staff perform. That means you may be accused of malpractice, error or omission while you’re practising, and have to bear the significant financial consequences that can accompany those charges. Malpractice Insurance can protect you in the event a patient makes a claim against you or your corporation arising from professional services rendered. In addition, Malpractice Insurance provides claims assistance and legal representation—all at highly economical rates.
The CDSPI Advantages:
Coverage for you and your practice against claims arising from professional services rendered
Up to $25-million per claim coverage (to a maximum of $75-million annually)
Provisions for legal representation
Extended coverage for special circumstances
Infectious Disease protection for dentists, dental hygienists, dental therapists, dental nurses and certified dental assistants and removal of the oral disease sublimit, subject to compliance with provincial or territorial health authority and/or regulatory college regulations and guidelines; and
Up to $75-million of individual annual aggregate coverage available for dentists to purchase.
Eligible dentists with CDSPI Malpractice Insurance will automatically be covered by Legal Expense Insurance—at no additional cost. No sign-up, no extra premium—compliments of CDSPI, giving you added support when you need it.
How Malpractice Insurance Protects You
Malpractice Insurance offers a range of coverage limits — you can choose the one best suited for you. You can be protected for up to $25-million for each claim, to a maximum of $75-million in one calendar year. And you can select a $1,000, $2,500, or $5,000 deductible.
Benefit from Expert Legal Representation
Malpractice Insurance covers more than just the potential cost of claims. In addition, the insurer provides legal representation for the insured and covers approved legal costs for malpractice actions.
Be Reimbursed for Time Spent in Court
You can be reimbursed for up to $400 per day, to a $1,600 maximum per claim, if you are required to attend an examination for discovery, pre-trial, trial or appeal.
Pay No Premiums for Coverage After You Retire, Are Totally Disabled, or On Parental Leave
The plan’s non-practising status coverage provides ongoing protection for dentists against claims from incidents that occurred while you were practising — at no additional premium. If you retire, are totally disabled, or on parental leave, you must surrender your license to be eligible for non-practising status, and your coverage will be effective as of the date you are no longer licensed. In addition, it protects your estate. Your coverage limits and deductible will be those in effect when you stopped practising.
Protect Both Your Personal and Company Assets
If your practice is incorporated, your insurance covers both you and the company from claims arising from your dental practice (it should also be named on your application) if named in a lawsuit.
Hygienists, Certified Dental Assistants, and Dental Therapists Coverage
Eligible hygienists, certified dental assistants and dental therapists in any province or territory who purchase their own coverage are offered a claim limit of $2-million per claim with a $500 deductible. A maximum of $6-million can be paid out in one calendar year.
Conditions and Limitations
Details, terms, conditions and exclusions are set out in the Policy Terms and Conditions for the Malpractice Insurance plan.
Please note:
- this Malpractice coverage applies to acts or omissions committed by the insured (i) in Canada (subject to the exclusion of professional services provided by dentists who obtain their primary malpractice insurance from their regulator) and (ii) anywhere else in the world where there is no applicable government statute regulating the practice of dentistry. However, the insurer is only liable for actions brought in Canada to recover for such acts or omissions
- the insurer has the right to and shall appoint legal counsel to defend the insured
Coverage does not apply to:
- claims or liability out of professional services provided anywhere in the world outside Canada where there is an applicable government statute regulating the practice of dentistry
- injury arising out of the performance of any criminal act
- injury arising out of the knowing violation of any law, including any acts committed by the insured after his or her licence to practice dentistry or, if the insured is not a dentist, his or her professional licence has been surrendered, cancelled, suspended or revoked
- acts by dental hygienists, assistants, nurses or therapists who are knowingly acting outside of the supervision requirements of any applicable legislation or, if there is no such legislation, are not being supervised by a licensed dentist on the dentist's premises
- losses resulting from nuclear energy losses or liabilities
- claims which the insured has knowledge of, or could have reasonably foreseen would likely arise from the services provided, prior to the date of commencement of the initial Period of Insurance for the Malpractice coverage
- claims for reimbursement of fees paid by the claimant to the insured for dental services
- claims arising from damage to or misuse of data, or claims arising from terrorist acts of activities to prevent or respond to such acts
- claims or liability arising from non-compliance with your governing regulatory body's guidelines including but not limited to Covid-19/Coronavirus protocols
- cyber act or cyber incident including, but not limited to, any action taken in controlling, preventing, suppressing or remediating any cyber act or cyber incident
Eligibility
You are eligible for Malpractice Insurance if you are:
- A dentist who is licensed or possesses a certificate to practice dentistry in a province or territory of Canada other than the provinces of Alberta, Ontario or Quebec.
- A dentist licensed to practice in Canada who is not mandated to obtain their primary professional liability insurance from their regulator.
- A hygienist or certified dental assistant or dental nurse in any province or territory (other than Quebec) who is employed by, or under contract to a dentist or a professional dental corporation. The dentist must be licensed or hold a certificate to practice dentistry in a province or territory of Canada other than Quebec. Additionally, staff must work under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist where required by their provincial or territorial regulatory authority.
- A dental therapist in any province or territory (other than Quebec) who is employed by a dentist or dentist’s professional corporation. The dental therapist must work under the direct supervision of a dentist who is licensed or possesses a certificate to practice dentistry in a province or territory of Canada, other than the province of Quebec.
Annual Premium Rates and Insurance Limits
Malpractice Insurance – Member and Non-Member Pricing
Dentists who are not members of a participating dental association will be charged non-member pricing for Malpractice Insurance.
NOTE: Current year graduates applying for Malpractice Insurance will automatically receive member pricing until December 31.
Premium rates are in effect January 1, 2026 until December 31, 2026.
Member Pricing1
Great News - Premiums Decreased for 2026
- 3% decrease for CDSPI Malpractice Insurance
| CLAIM LIMIT | DEDUCTIBLE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $2,500 | $5,000 | |
| $3,000,000 per claim (maximum $9-million per calendar year) | $1,685.39 | $1,627.08 | $1,553.84 |
| $4,000,000 per claim (maximum $12-million per calendar year) | $1,739.33 | $1,681.02 | $1,607.79 |
| $5,000,000 per claim (maximum $15-million per calendar year) | $1,786.41 | $1,728.11 | $1,654.86 |
| $10,000,000 per claim (maximum $30-million per calendar year) | $2,019.84 | $1,961.53 | $1,888.29 |
| $25,000,000 per claim (maximum $75-million per calendar year) | $2,430.48 | $2,372.18 | $2,298.94 |
Member Pricing - Short Term Malpractice1
| SHORT TERM MALPRACTICE | |
|---|---|
| Minimum Premium* | $250.00 |
*Short-term coverage is available for up to 60 days. Minimum premium $250 applies; premiums are prorated based on coverage amount and may exceed $250 for higher limits.
Non-Member Pricing1
| CLAIM LIMIT | DEDUCTIBLE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $2,500 | $5,000 | |
| $3,000,000 per claim (maximum $9-million per calendar year) | $2,106.73 | $2,033.85 | $1,942.30 |
| $4,000,000 per claim (maximum $12-million per calendar year) | $2,174.17 | $2,101.28 | $2,009.74 |
| $5,000,000 per claim (maximum $15-million per calendar year) | $2,233.01 | $2,160.14 | $2,068.58 |
| $10,000,000 per claim (maximum $30-million per calendar year) | $2,524.80 | $2,451.92 | $2,360.37 |
| $25,000,000 per claim (maximum $75-million per calendar year) | $3,038.10 | $2,965.22 | $2,873.67 |
Non Member Pricing - Short Term Malpractice1
| SHORT TERM MALPRACTICE | |
|---|---|
| Minimum Premium* | $312.50 |
*Short-term coverage is available for up to 60 days. Minimum premium $312.50 applies; premiums are prorated based on coverage amount and may exceed $312.50 for higher limits.
Premiums for Hygienists, Certified Dental Assistants and Dental Therapists1
| CLAIM LIMIT | $500 DEDUCTIBLE |
|---|---|
| $2,000,000 per claim (with an annual aggregate limit of $6-million per calendar year) | $103.78 |
Apply now
Eligible dentists are able to apply for their malpractice insurance using our online application.
For dentists licensed in Ontario and Alberta, you can apply for Excess Malpractice Insurance for increased coverage.
1 Premiums shown do not include applicable provincial sales taxes, which vary by province.
Note: The plan’s non-practising status coverage will be provided as long as Zurich Insurance Company Ltd. underwrites the Malpractice Insurance plan. Should carriers change, the availability or format of such coverage could change, but CDSPI would endeavour to negotiate with the new carrier to continue the non-practising status coverage.
Malpractice Insurance is underwritten by Zurich Insurance Company Ltd (Canadian Branch). CDSPI Malpractice Insurance is offered in all provinces and territories except Alberta, Ontario and Quebec.
The information contained here is a summary only. A full description of coverage and eligibility, including exclusions, restrictions and limitations can be found in the Policy Terms and Conditions governing each plan.
