Based on the historical relationship between quarterly and year-end figures of a composite of medical professional liability (MPL) specialty writers, the authors attempted throughout the course of 2011 to project year-end results. With actual 2011 results now available, it’s time to review how this composite performed and how well the projections held up.

Based on data compiled by SNL Financial, the authors have examined the collective financial results of the composite, which had direct written premium totaling almost $4.13 billion in 2011. Despite the fact that direct written premium for the composite declined for the sixth straight year, this group of companies continues to achieve remarkable calendar-year profitability, which has been indicative of the broader MPL market.

This article was first published in the April 2012 issue of Medical Liability Monitor.