The Doctors Company Acquires SCPIE (AHI)

The medical malpractice insurance industry has been buzzing with the news of the SCPIE (Southern California Physicians Insurance Exchange/American Healthcare Indemnity) acquisition by The Doctors  Company.  The Doctors Company, based in Napa, California, is now the largest insurer of physician and surgeon medical liability in the country.  Whether or not this proves to be better for the physician insureds is difficult to ascertain.  Too many questions remain to be answered.  How will The Doctors Company handle the transition period, and the differences in premiums, underwriting and claim philosophies?  With more than 40,000 physicians and surgeons insured in nearly every state in the US, there exists a logistical hurdle to overcome if they are to maintain a high level of service and accessiblity.   Agents and Brokers can serve a pivotal role in bridging the communication gap from carrier to policyholder.   Easing the task of obtaining policy information, answering coverage questions, assisting with billing issues and most importantly helping to navigate the claims process.

In the end, it appears this acquisition was and will be in the best interests of physicians, certainly for those that were SCPIE insureds.  The Doctors Company brings financial stability and a reputation for sound underwriting which should serve former SCPIE insureds well.

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