Dental School Graduates: Insurance Solutions

Liability insurance for new dentists

Congratulations on graduating from dental school. As dental insurance advisors, we understand the risks you may face as a new graduate and on a personal level. Let the trusted advisors at Risk Strategies help you make informed risk management decisions throughout your career and personal life.

As a new graduate, you’ll want the following two coverages right away:

Professional Liability (malpractice)
Disability Insurance (personal income replacement)

Professional liability insurance for early-career dentists

For professional liability, you’ll need to make an important choice between “claims-made” and “occurrence” coverage. We can walk you through the differences, pros and cons, so you feel confident in your decision. Also, we’ll connect you with industry-leading professional liability and disability insurance companies.

Choosing an insurance and risk management advisor

While we hope you’ll select Risk Strategies for your insurance needs, we recognize there are other choices. Here are a couple of consumer guidelines to protect your interests:

Beware of anyone who only offers coverage from one company. They may have an agenda.
Avoid buying professional liability insurance from anyone who can’t or won’t explain the difference between “claims-made” and “occurrence” coverage.

Navigating insurance options: Key picks for dental graduates

As you reach the final chapter of your dental studies, it’s time to start thinking about how you will make informed risk management decisions to protect yourself personally and professionally. Understanding the intricacies of insurance becomes imperative and selecting the right insurance options demands careful consideration to protect your budding career.

Rest assured. You don’t need to make these decisions on your own or search for how you should best be covered. Work with an independent insurance broker on the Risk Strategies Dental Practice team who will help you navigate this landscape with precision to safeguard your future.

Below is a curated list of the coverage options you should consider and frequently asked questions about each type.

Malpractice insurance coverage FAQs

: All insurance carriers offer varying levels of customer service and risk management resources.
: There is Claims-Made and Occurrence form. Both types have pros and cons.
: Depending on where you’re working, one option may be better than the other. Connect to an advisor to help determine which option is best for you.
: Industry standard is $1M/$3M for credentialing, but laws vary by state. More coverage might be needed based on location or procedures.
: Most policies are not procedure-specific; they focus on whether you are licensed to perform the procedure.
: Yes, most carriers offer special pricing for new-to-practice dentists.
: It depends on your employment contract. Private practices often require personal policies; DSOs often provide coverage.

Disability insurance coverage FAQs

Disability insurance for dentists protects your income if you can't practice dentistry due to illness or injury.

Start about three months before graduating to access student discounts.

Important features to consider: Own occupation, Residual (partial) benefit, Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), Mental health coverage longer than two years, Ability to increase benefit without medical underwriting.

Not inherently; only disabilities from pregnancy complications are covered.

No "normal" plan exists — coverage varies based on health history.

Consult with a broker to understand the differences between carriers.

There are generally two options:

Graded: The premium is cheaper initially and increases annually.
Level: Premium stays the same each year.

Life insurance coverage FAQs

: Think about your children, spouse/partner, or parents.
: Marriage, having children, buying a house, starting a practice.
: It varies; younger individuals can secure cheaper rates by planning ahead.
: It depends on your personal situation; consult an insurance broker or financial planner.
: Term life insurance is recommended for being inexpensive and straightforward; investment options are available for others.

Home and auto insurance coverage FAQs

: It is recommended to have a renters or homeowners policy to protect your belongings.
: If you own a vehicle, you will need an auto insurance policy. If you are listed under your parents’ auto insurance policy, you should ensure adequate coverage for yourself.
: Yes, typically bundling home/renters and auto insurance saves money.
: It depends on your priorities — lower rates can mean lower service quality.
: Items like engagement rings or collectibles can often be added.