Through three quarters of 2015, the composite’s direct written premium level is roughly 5% below premium levels at the same point in 2014. The prolonged profitability enjoyed by the medical professional liability (MPL) market continues to be driven by low claim frequency, stable loss severity and, most notably, by large releases in prior coverage years due to conservative reserving practices. With a projected 2015 reserve release exceeding $900 million, it appears the MPL market’s run of profitability will remain intact for the foreseeable future.

This article was originally published in the December 2015 issue of the Medical Liability Monitor.