Insurance for dentists in California

Learn about business insurance requirements and the most common policies for dentists in California.

Which policies are required for California dentists?

If you have a commercial lease, your property manager may require you to purchase general liability insurance. Commonly purchased by dentists in California, general liability insurance can protect your dental office from expenses associated with common mishaps, such as client property damage and injuries.

State law in California requires every small business with employees to provide workers’ compensation insurance, which covers medical bills for work injuries.

In California, any vehicle used to transport goods or people for business purposes is considered a commercial vehicle and must be covered by commercial auto insurance. This policy covers the cost of accidents involving your business vehicle.

Note: Insureon cannot provide quotes for professional liability insurance for dentists, also called malpractice insurance.

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What are the most common insurance policies for California dentists?

Dentists in California most often need the following types of insurance. The specifics depend on factors such as whether you own a business vehicle, lease a commercial space, or hire employees.

General liability insurance

General liability insurance is the foundation of a dentist’s business protection, with coverage that extends to client injuries, client property damage, and advertising injuries. Most commercial leases require you to have this coverage.

Business owner's policy

A small dentist’s office might qualify for a business owner’s policy (BOP). This package helps your business save money by bundling commercial property insurance with general liability insurance at an affordable rate.

Workers' compensation insurance

California state law requires all businesses with employees to carry workers’ compensation insurance. If an employee is injured on the job, workers’ comp can help pay for their medical bills and lost wages.

This coverage is optional but recommended for sole proprietors and independent contractors, as health insurance can deny claims for work-related injuries. If you slip and break an arm in your dental office, or develop carpal tunnel syndrome after years of working on patients, workers' comp will cover the medical costs.

Commercial auto insurance

State law requires commercial auto insurance for business vehicles used to transport people or merchandise. Business and personal vehicles must comply with California's auto liability insurance requirements:

$15,000 in bodily injury liability or death liability per person
$30,000 in bodily injury liability or death liability to more than one person
$5,000 in property damage per accident

This policy helps cover the costs of injuries and property damage in an accident involving a work vehicle.

Cyber liability insurance

Cyber liability insurance helps dentists recover from data breaches and cyberattacks. This policy can help pay for client notification costs, credit monitoring services, and other related expenses.

Any dental practice that handles sensitive patient information should invest in cyber liability insurance and become familiar with California's data breach notification laws.

How much does business insurance cost for dentists in California?

According to data gathered from Insureon customers, workers’ comp policies may cost significantly more in California. The median premium for workers' comp is $3,047 for dentists in California, far more than the national median cost of $1,482.

This is balanced by a lower median cost in California for a business owner’s policy. Dentists in California can expect to pay a median premium of $906 annually for a BOP, which is less than the national median. General liability median costs are $425 per year in California, the same as nationwide.

Median insurance costs for dentists in California.

Save time and money with Insureon

Insureon’s industry-leading technology helps dentists in California save time and money shopping for insurance by comparing policies from top U.S. carriers. Start a free online application to review quotes for the policies that best fit your business. Our insurance agents are licensed in California and can answer your questions as you consider coverage.

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