Radiologists aren’t the only medical professionals that allow patients to see what’s going on inside their bodies. Sonographers can do the same too. But instead of X-rays, they use ultrasound technology. Without sonographers, other physical therapists would find it hard to diagnose conditions in the heart, lungs, and other organs.
As a sonographer, you must remain vigilant to protect your business from liabilities and other risks. This article will help explain the various insurance policies you need to give yourself peace of mind when the unexpected happens.
CoverWallet | NEXT (Best) | Thimble | Hiscox | The Hartford | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Per occurrence limit | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $300,000/$1,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 |
Aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $300,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 |
Products and completed operations aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
Advertising injury coverage aggregate limit | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
Tenant’s legal liability coverage limit | $100,000 | $100,000 | $5,000 | $100,000 | $1,000,000 |
Waiver of subrogation included? | Yes | No | Included | Can be included | No |
Hired/non-owned auto liability coverage included? | Yes | No | Excluded | Can be included | Can be included |
Equipment breakdown floater included? | No | Yes | Yes | Can be included | Can be included |
General liability insurance protects sonographers from third-party liability claims of property damage and bodily injury. Examples of when this sonographer liability insurance coverage can apply include:
While a patient waits for an ultrasound exam, they slip and fall on your exam floor.
A patient sues your business for slandering them
If you want to get additional protection for your sonographer practice, consider these add-ons:
Employment practices–Helps protect your business if an employee files a suit alleging workplace harassment, discrimination, or wrongful termination
Tools and equipment–Adds protection to cover the costs of replacing your damaged or stolen equipment
Your sonographer general liability insurance will have a typical limit of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate.
General liability policies will commonly be occurrence-based policies. This means that you can file a claim anytime so long as the covered peril happened during the policy period.
CoverWallet | NEXT | Thimble (Best) | Hiscox | The Hartford | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Per occurrence limit | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
Aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $2,000,000 |
Name additional insureds? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Waiver of subrogation included? | Yes | No | Yes | Can be included | No |
HIPAA coverage included? | No | No | No | No | No |
Sexual misconduct coverage included? | No | No | No | No | Can be included |
License defense coverage included? | No | No | No | No | Can be included |
Deductible | $500 | $500 | $500 | $50/$10,000 | $500 |
Sonographer malpractice insurance is a policy that protects your business from professional mistakes you or employees make that cause injury. Examples of this coverage include:
A patient files a lawsuit against you to seek damages for medical negligence
You make a mistake in a diagnosis that causes a condition to get worse
You upgrade the malpractice insurance for ultrasound techs through these endorsements:
Excess liability–Extends your malpractice insurance coverage limits so you can still get covered even when your policy has run out of coverage for the term
Extended reporting for sonographers–This allows you to get extra time to file a claim and have it still covered by your malpractice insurance
The National Institutes for Health estimate that most policies offer a coverage range between $100,000-$300,000 per claim and $1 million to $3 million in aggregate.
Your ultrasound malpractice insurance premiums will be determined by factors like your geographic location, claims history, and risk estimate. Insurers set rates by looking at trends, states, and specialties. Each medical specialty stands on its own for cost, and premiums can be affected by how long it takes for claims to be settled.
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CoverWallet | NEXT (Best) | Thimble | The Hartford | Hiscox | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Building coverage limit (minimum) | $50,000 | $340,000 | $25,000/$500,000 | $35,000 | $25,000 |
Contents coverage limit (minimum) | $50,000 | $35,000 | $25,000/$500,000 | $35,000 | $15,000 |
Outdoor signs | Excluded | $2,500 | Excluded | Excluded | Included |
Accounts receivable | Excluded | Excluded | $5,000/$10,000 | Excluded | Included |
Money and securities | Excluded | $2,500 | $1,000 | Excluded | Included |
Lock and keys | Excluded | $2,500 | Excluded | Excluded | Included |
Business interruption floater | Excluded | Included | Included | Excluded | Included |
Equipment breakdown floater | Excluded | Included | Excluded | Excluded | Included |
Inland marine insurance floater | Excluded | Excluded | $10,000 | Excluded | Excluded |
Employee dishonesty floater | Excluded | $5,000 | $2,500 | Excluded | Excluded |
A sonographer insurance policy with commercial property coverage protects your building and any property contained. Example coverages include:
Someone accidentally starts a fire in your office, and you need to pay to get repairs
A person breaks into your medical office and steals some expensive sonographer equipment
Flood insurance–Protects your business against flood waters and other covered events. Many commercial property policies will exclude flood-related causes, so this can be a helpful add-on
Earthquake insurance–A valuable pickup for sonographers located in an area with a high risk of earthquake damage
Sonographers will find their commercial property insurance coverage limit to around $60,000.
While there are many perils, the most common involve burglary, fire, window damage, roof damage, and fire damage.
CoverWallet | NEXT (Best) | Thimble | The Hartford | Hiscox | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
General liability aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $300,000/$2,000,000 |
Commercial property coverage limit | $50,000 | $320,000 | $25,000/$500,000 | $35,000 | $75,000 |
Optional policies can be added? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Name additional insureds for free? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
BOP discount? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Business owner’s policy will combine the coverage from different policies useful for your practice. BOPs include coverage for general liability and commercial property. Examples include:
Burglars stole some equipment, and you need to cover replacements
A member of the public files a copyright infringement claim against your sonographer practice
Cyber liability–This policy will protect your business in the event of a data hack or cyber security breach that causes financial damage
Extra expense coverage–Helps cover extra expenses that you need to get your business up and running after property damage
Commercial crime–Helps you pay for costs associated with dishonest acts your employees commit, like robbery, forgery, and electronic crimes
BOPs have a coverage limit of around $1 million for general liability claims and between $20,000 and $50,000 for commercial property.
No, BOPs will exclude coverage for floods and earthquakes. You will need to buy a specialized policy for these types of coverage.
NEXT | Thimble | Hiscox | The Hartford | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Aggregate limit | $3,000/$10,000 | $2,500/$5,000 | $15,000/$25,000 | $5,000-$10,000 |
Covers hired and borrowed equipment? | $3,000/$10,000 | $2,500/$5,000 | No | Yes |
Miscellaneous equipment also covered? | $5,000/$10,000 | No | Yes | Yes |
Offered as an endorsement to general liability insurance? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Deductible | $500 | $500 | $0 | $0 |
Tools and equipment insurance protects the equipment you use in your business from damage, even when you use them away from your office. Fire, theft, vandalism, operator error, and upset are covered.
Equipment breakdown–Covers your sonographer equipment from damage resulting from mechanical breakdown or electrical surge
Flood coverage–Helps your sonography get protection from the devastating effects of rising flood waters and water damage
Your tools and equipment insurance policy will cover damage between $5,000 and $20,000.
Workers’ compensation insurance protects your employees when they get injured or ill while on the job. Example situations include:
An employee trips over a cart and hurts their neck. As a result, the employee can’t work for a few days
One of your employees slips and falls on the floor, requiring surgery to fix
No, workers comp is primarily concerned with protecting employees from lost wages and medical costs. If you don’t have employees qualifying for protection, you don’t need to purchase a workers comp policy.
Texas is the only state in the US that does not require most employers to provide a workers’ comp policy for their employees.
Excess liability insurance extends the limits of an underlying sonographer insurance policy. Suppose you have a $1 million general liability policy, and a $2 million bodily injury lawsuit is filed. In this case, you can use excess liability insurance to cover the remaining balance if the trial goes sideways.
This type of ultrasound liability insurance can only supplement a single policy at a time. If you want a policy that extends coverage for multiple policies simultaneously, get umbrella insurance.
Cost per Month | Cost per Year | Deductible | |
---|---|---|---|
General liability insurance | $39 | $468 | $0-$500 |
Professional liability insurance | $46 | $552 | $500-$1,000 |
Excess liability insurance | $55 | $660 | $500-$1,000 |
Commercial property insurance | $70 | $840 | $1,000-$2,000 |
Business owner’s policy | $100 | $1,200 | $1,500 |
Commercial auto insurance | $62 | $744 | $500-$1,000 |
Tools and equipment insurance | $55 | $660 | $500-$1,000 |
Workers compensation insurance | $97 | $1,164 | $2,000-$5,000 |
The average sonogorapher insurance cost is $39 per month or $468 per year for a $1 million general liability insurance. Factors that affect the cost of premiums are claims history, business history, policy limits, deductibles, annual revenues, and number of employees. Here’s a table showing the cost of a $1 million general liability coverage from the best sonographer insurance companies:
Cost per Month | Cost per Year | Best for | |
---|---|---|---|
NEXT | $15 | $180 | Best overall; Fastest general liability insurance for sonographers |
The Hartford | $19 | $228 | Workers compensation insurance for sonographers |
CoverWallet | $23 | $276 | Comparing sonographer insurance quotes online |
Tivly | $25 | $300 | Comparing sonographer insurance quotes over the phone |
Thimble | $28 | $336 | Short-term term general liability insurance for sonographers |
Hiscox | $31 | $372 | Sonographer insurance with worldwide coverage |
AAPA | $34 | $408 | Malpractice coverage for sonographers |
Get all the best quotes from leading providers in a click of a button!
Here are the insurance companies to consider. Read the reviews below to know their pros, cons, and average rate for a $1 million general liability insurance.
Best overall
Issues an online proof of insurance instantly
Fastest general liability insurance for sonographers
Great customer service and reputation
Excellent rates
Outstanding value for money
Get a 10% discount if you buy two or more policies
Couldn’t find any
NEXT offers the best selection of sonographer policy components that can keep your business afloat. They have an A- AM Best rating for their financial stability and a B+ from the Better Business Bureau.
Best for: Best overall; Fastest general liability insurance for sonographers
Average cost: $15 per month
Our rating: 10/10
Get a discount for commercial auto insurance if you’re an AARP member
Track claims online
Renowned company for workers compensation insurance
Limited add-ons to general liability insurance
At The Hartford, you get coverage and quotes with just a few clicks, but you can also call to get personalized help from a representative. They offer useful policies for sonographers like general liability, workers comp, and business owner’s policy.
Best for: Workers compensation insurance for sonographers
Average cost: $19 per month
Our rating: 10/10
The online platform makes it easy to compare insurance policies
HNOA coverage automatically included in general liability insurance
Easy online policy management
Need to call to get a quote
CoverWallet is a digital platform that helps you manage different insurance policies from their partners. Sonographers can consult a CoverWallet consultant to get insurance options like medical malpractice, general liability, and workers' compensation. However, the best way to get covered is to use this company’s online platform. This allows you to compare quotes from different companies quickly.
Best for: Comparing sonographer insurance quotes online
Average cost: $23 per month
Our rating: 10/10
A rating from the Better Business Bureau
Compare quotes over the phone
Updating your insurance policy is easy
You need to talk to a representative for a quote
Tivly has over 200 partners wherein many specialize in the healthcare industry. Sonographers can choose from many policies and providers after starting a call with a representative. Call now to compare quotes over the phone.
Best for: Comparing sonographer insurance quotes over the phone
Average cost: $25 per month
Our rating: 10/10
A streamlined process that asks you fewer questions
Scalable insurance policies
Purchase general liability insurance as a short-term policy
A simplified insurance process can be a downside sometimes
Thimble is your go-to insurer for getting coverage as quickly as possible. They focus on getting coverage to you and allow you to define your limits and policy period. Thimble has an excellent A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau which gives you confidence in their ability to protect your sonographer practice. They offer malpractice insurance that covers your legal expenses and medical damages.
Best for: Short-term term general liability insurance for sonographers
Average cost: $28 per month
Our rating: 10/10
General liability coverage for health professionals
Worldwide coverage
14-day money-back guarantee
Some policies are only offered to businesses with less than ten employees
Hiscox offers insurance products that are tailored to your individual needs. Their agents provide a lot of information about the policies available and ensure you get excellent coverage. Nonetheless, remember that Hiscox offers online quotes. And so, it’s possible to purchase a policy without calling an agent.
Best for: Sonographer insurance with worldwide coverage
Average cost: $31 per month
Our rating: 10/10
Comprehensive malpractice insurance
AAPA members receive 10% discounts
Only available to members
AAPA malpractice insurance is a liability policy that protects your sonographer practice from malpractice suits. The policy includes allegations of negligence related to your profession and can help you protect your medical license, personal assets, and your business's finances.
Best for: Malpractice coverage for sonographers
Average cost: $34 per month
Our rating: 10/10
Use anyone except Employers. Period. They are non-transparent and shameful. After I complained long enough to warrant a call from a supervisor, the supervisor called back from a PRIVATE NUMBER (no caller ID), left a message that they are not reversing their decision (without any communication with me), and failed to leave a phone number for me to call back. She was hiding! They also fact find via email and phone calls, which is terrific for speed and communication. However, after setting a precedence of email or phone calls, they send time sensitive information via email, without any heads up... they are hoping you miss it and forfeit via expiration. Evil policies. Go elsewhere.
This place is an absolute joke of a company and should be ashamed of the way they conduct business. I was hurt on the job at the end of July and it took them just shy of 7 weeks to issue out a paycheck to me. Yes the amount was back dated but still. Not many have the luxury of not receiving a paycheck for almost 2 months. To top it all off, the original adjuster marked me down for the wrong state which caused a problem from the get go, I've had 3 different adjusters now since each one can't seem to figure out the simplicity of my claim. All my paperwork which includes, my job, house, and drs visits all are from the same state and city but yet some how I have been filed under a completely different state 1500 miles away. They do not answer your phone calls or emails no matter how many you leave. I've had to escalate my frustrations to the supervisors of each of these individuals in order to even get some kind of response. I've had more communication and information given to me about my claim from the customer service representatives then the actual adjusters.......... please tell me how that works?! A serious overhaul needs to happen here in order to serve your clients the way they deserve to be taken care of. 10/10 do not recommend this company to a single soul on earth
I have never had the displeasure of working with a more incompetent and disrespectful person in my life. I’m an injured worker and the adjuster that was assigned to my case was named Carrie Furgeson. In the past 6 weeks that I’ve been injured and out of work I have only been able to get ahold of her twice, not for lack of trying. I have left countless voicemails, countless emails, and she ignores them all. When I am finally able to get ahold of her I’m greeted with terrible customer service. She is rude, she talks over me and I’m hardly able to get a word in edgewise. She spelled my name wrong on my documents even after I spelled it for her properly countless times, this caused a whole new issue with my bank. I have bill collectors from the hospital calling me demanding payment and Carrie Furgeson won’t do a single thing to help, or to get them paid. All of my documentation is in Colorado, my job is in Colorado, my address is in Colorado, all my Dr offices and appointments have been in Colorado and Carrie still managed to hold my claim because she wasn’t sure what state she needed to file it under. It’s been 6 weeks since my Injury and my company still hasn’t received the wage paperwork to fill out so they can get me my correct wages. When she’s not ignoring me she’s answering my questions with “I don’t know” well I don’t know how she got this job, because apparently she doesn’t know anything about it. She is a disgusting morose individual inside and out and I genuinely wish her the worst in all of her future endeavors. I highly recommend you don’t use this company. Please if you are a business owner and your looking into this company please don’t use them. I’m sure they have the cheapest payment and that’s why companies use them in the first place, but you will be doing your employees a grave disservice by forcing them to venture into this absolute dumpster fire of a company. I would rate 0/5 if possible but 1 was the lowest I was allowed.
Their general liability insurance purchase process is simply the best online experience I've ever had in my life!
As long as they cover your line of business, you're literally covered! best rates, best coverage, best online experience, best professionals, can't be happier that I chose them!