Find insurance quotes for dental assistants
Save money by comparing quotes from top-rated insurance carriers.
Choose from the nation's best insurance providers
Why do dental assistants need business insurance?
Dental assistants take on a wide range of risks, from sharps injuries to patient lawsuits. Though your employer might provide coverage, it's worth investing in your own to make sure you're protected. In some cases, you'll need coverage to comply with contracts and state laws.
Get quotes from top providers
Insureon helps dental assistants compare quotes for malpractice insurance and other policies from top-rated providers.
Find insurance coverage that meets your unique needs with our easy application.
What types of insurance do dental assistants need?
These policies cover the most common risks faced by dental assistants.
General liability insurance
A general liability policy covers accidents involving third parties, such as a patient who slips on the icy front step of a dentist's office and suffers a concussion.
BEST FOR
- Medical payments for injured patients
- Accidental damage to patient property
- Libel and other advertising injuries
Business owner’s policy
A business owner's policy, or BOP, is a way for dentistry businesses to buy commercial property insurance and general liability insurance together at a low cost.
BEST FOR
- Accidents that injure a patient or visitor
- Damage to a patient's belongings
- Stolen or damaged medical equipment
Professional liability / medical malpractice
Professional liability coverage, also called medical malpractice insurance, covers legal defense costs related to the quality of your professional services.
BEST FOR
- Medical record errors
- Improper sterilization methods
- Injuries during chairside assistance
Workers’ compensation insurance
Most states require workers' comp for dental practices that have employees. It also protects sole proprietors from work-related medical bills that health insurance might deny.
BEST FOR
- Medical expenses from work injuries
- Disability benefits
- Workplace liability claims from injured employees
Commercial auto insurance
Most states require commercial auto insurance for vehicles owned by a dental practice. It helps cover the cost of an accident involving your business vehicle.
BEST FOR
- Property damage caused by a company vehicle
- Bodily injuries caused by a company vehicle
- Vehicle theft and vandalism
Cyber insurance
Cyber insurance covers financial losses if a data breach exposes protected health information (PHI). It can often be added to a business owner's policy or general liability policy.
BEST FOR
- Data breach investigations
- Customer notification expenses
- Cyberattack recovery costs
Looking for different coverage? See more policies.
How much does dental assistant insurance cost?
Business insurance is typically very affordable for dental assistants, as it's considered a low-risk profession.
Average healthcare professional insurance costs include:
General liability: $31 per month
Workers' compensation: $60 per month
Professional liability: $42 per month
Healthcare clinics pay $70 per month, on average, for a business owner's policy. The cost of business insurance depends on the services you provide, your history of claims, and other factors.
What factors affect the cost of dental assistant insurance?
Here are some of the factors that determine insurance premiums for dental assistants during the underwriting process:
- Services provided. A dental assistant who works on patients alongside a dentist or oral surgeon can expect to pay more for insurance than one who handles administrative duties.
- Business property and equipment. It'll cost more to insure expensive 3D imaging systems or a large commercial office than a smaller setup.
- Number of employees. A larger workforce brings a higher risk of employee accidents and mistakes, which raises the cost of workers' compensation, general liability, and similar policies.
- Annual revenue. Increased business revenue is associated with higher risks and more frequent claims, which results in higher insurance costs.
- Business location. Regional factors such as crime rates, population density, and property values affect how much you pay for business insurance.
- Policy limits and deductibles. Policies with higher limits cost more but cover more expensive claims. Choosing a higher deductible can lower your premium, but your insurance won't activate until you pay the full amount.
- Claims history. Dental assistants who have filed an insurance claim in the past will pay more for insurance than one with a clean history of claims.
How do I get dental assistant insurance?
It's easy to get dental assistant insurance if you have your company information on hand. Our application will ask for basic facts about your business, such as revenue and number of employees.
You can buy a policy online and get a certificate of insurance with Insureon in three easy steps:
- Complete a free online application.
- Compare insurance quotes and choose a policy.
- Pay for your policy and download proof of coverage.
Insureon's licensed insurance agents work with top-rated U.S. providers to find the right insurance solutions for dental assistants, medical assistants, and other healthcare professionals, whether you work independently or hire employees.
Verified business insurance reviews
Hear from customers like you who purchased small business insurance.
FAQs about insurance for dental assistants
Review answers to frequently asked questions about dental assistant insurance coverage.
Do dental assistants need malpractice insurance?
Dental assistants are typically covered under their employer's medical malpractice insurance, but it's often beneficial to have your own coverage.
Here's why malpractice insurance, also called dental assistant professional liability insurance, is a worthwhile investment:
- Your employer's policy may not be sufficient. Employer policies are designed to protect their own interests, which can leave you with insufficient protection. They likely won't cover activities that happen outside your scope of duty or while unsupervised, or they might have exclusions for contract labor.
- Your performance affects patient well-being. Dental assistants are responsible for tasks like taking X-rays, managing patient records, and even administering sedation. Errors or omissions in your work could harm a patient, leading to an expensive legal battle or a costly judgment or settlement.
- Lawsuits can happen to anyone. Even the most careful dental assistant can make a mistake on a busy day, or end up as a codefendant alongside their supervising dentist, dental hygienist, or oral surgeon.
Dental assistant malpractice insurance gives you peace and mind and protection against claims of professional negligence or failing to meet the standard of care. An insurance agent who knows your industry can help you find the right coverage for your unique risks at a price you can afford.
Why is tail coverage important for dental assistants?
Tail coverage provides protection for incidents that happen while a malpractice policy is active, but are reported after the policy period ends.
For example, if a dental assistant fails to update a patient's medical history, the result could be an allergic reaction years down the line.
Since medical malpractice claims can arise months or even years later, tail coverage ensures dental assistants remain protected against lawsuits for work they performed in the past.
What is the difference between occurrence-based and claims-made coverage for dental assistant liability insurance?
Insurance policies come in two forms: occurrence-based and claims-made.
Professional liability insurance is usually sold as a claims-made policy, which means you'll need to keep your policy active in order to benefit from it. Most other types of business insurance, such as general liability, are occurrence-based policies. Occurrence policies provide coverage for incidents that happened during the policy period, even after your policy expires.
With a claims-made policy, it's crucial to have continuous coverage. You can secure coverage for incidents that happened in the past by setting a retroactive date with your insurance company. And for claims that happen after you retire or cancel your coverage, you can add tail coverage to extend the window in which you can file a claim.
What other types of insurance should dental assistants have?
Dental assistants should consider these coverages as part of a comprehensive risk management strategy to protect their practice and career:
- Telemedicine / telehealth coverage protects virtual assistants in the event of a liability claim arising from clinical teledentistry or remote administrative work.
- License defense coverage pays for legal fees and other costs if you face an investigation or malpractice lawsuit that could affect your status as a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA).
- Needlestick or occupational accident insurance (OAI) protects against injuries from needles and sharp instruments, which are one of the biggest risks for dental assistants.
- HIPAA defense coverage covers legal proceedings, fines, and penalties related to HIPAA violations, such as improper disposal of medical files.
- Sexual misconduct defense pays for legal costs if a dental assistant is accused of inappropriate physical contact.
These insurance products can help ensure you’re protected against less common, but potentially costly, risks in your practice.