Washington State Insurance Practice Exam

Which type of insurance protects professionals like doctors from claims of negligence?

1. Life insurance

2. General liability insurance

3. Malpractice insurance

4. Health insurance

The correct answer is: Malpractice insurance

Malpractice insurance is specifically designed to protect professionals, particularly in the medical and legal fields, against claims of negligence, errors, or omissions that may arise in the course of their professional duties. This type of insurance provides coverage for legal fees, settlements, or judgments that may result from claims made by patients or clients alleging that the professional failed to meet the standard of care expected in their field. Life insurance primarily provides financial support to beneficiaries upon the death of the insured, and does not cover negligence claims. General liability insurance is aimed at protecting businesses from a variety of claims, such as bodily injury or property damage but is not tailored for claims arising specifically from professional services. Health insurance is focused on covering medical expenses for the insured individual and does not address liability issues faced by professionals. Therefore, malpractice insurance is the correct answer as it uniquely caters to the risk exposure of professionals like doctors.