FAQS

Question: Does the Cooperative of American Physicians, Inc. offer coverage to physicians in all specialties and all locations in California?

Answer: Yes, CAP offers coverage to all medical physicians everywhere in California.

Question: How secure is the Mutual Protection Trust?

Answer: Our 10,500 plus hand-selected members share the liability of all claims up to an attachment point of one million dollars per claim.

The financial strength of the Mutual Protection Trust has earned an A+ (Superior) Rating from A.M. Best Company.

Question: What medical professional liability coverage limits are available?

Answer: Most members choose coverage limits of $1 million per claim/$3 million annual aggregate. Limits of $2 million/$4 million and higher are available upon request and underwriting approval.

Question: What is the difference between claims-made and claims-paid medical professional liability coverage?

Answer: Having collected additional reserve money, a claims-made carrier charges an annual premium for all claims that are expected to be reported. For this reason, once a physician reports a claim, and hence the claim is made, the carrier may now resolve the suit using the funds already collected. Once the carrier assumes liability for a claim the physician may leave and secure retroactive coverage from a new carrier.

The claims-paid approach is different. Since the Mutual Protection trust does not collect reserves, members pay less on average from year to year. In return for lower costs, the member promises either to remain with the company until any pending claim is resolved, or to secure tail coverage through a variety of programs that a Membership Development Account Executive will explain.