Running a chiropractic practice means you're juggling patient care, staff management, and business operations all at once. But here's what keeps many chiropractors up at night: one malpractice claim, one employee injury, or one data breach could wipe out everything you've built. The good news? The right insurance checklist can protect your practice without breaking the bank.
Most chiropractors think insurance is just about malpractice coverage. That's part of the story, but it's not the whole picture. Your practice faces risks from multiple directions—patient injuries, employee accidents, property damage, cyber attacks, and more. This checklist walks you through exactly what coverage you need, what's optional, and when to add protection as your practice grows.
Essential Coverage: What Every Chiropractic Practice Must Have
Let's start with the non-negotiables. Professional liability insurance—also called malpractice insurance—is required in most states to legally operate a chiropractic practice. In Florida, for example, you must carry at least $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate. But here's the thing: those minimums aren't enough. Most chiropractors carry $1 million per claim and $3 million aggregate coverage, which costs between $1,000 and $2,000 annually. That's a small price to pay when one lawsuit could cost hundreds of thousands in legal fees alone.
General liability insurance is your second must-have. This covers the accidents that have nothing to do with your chiropractic care—like when a patient slips on your wet floor, or when your employee accidentally damages a landlord's property. If you lease your office space, your landlord probably requires this coverage anyway. General liability protects against bodily injury and property damage claims from third parties, and it's often bundled with property insurance in a Business Owner's Policy for better rates.
Workers' compensation insurance becomes essential the moment you hire your first employee. In 2025, this coverage costs chiropractors an average of $0.27 per $100 of payroll—that's about $9 per month per employee in Florida. Most states legally require workers' comp once you have employees, though the threshold varies. Without it, you're personally liable for medical bills, lost wages, and potential lawsuits if a staff member gets hurt on the job. Chiropractors face moderate injury risks from repetitive motions and musculoskeletal strain, making this protection worth every penny.
Commercial property insurance rounds out your essential coverage. This protects your adjustment tables, diagnostic equipment, computers, furniture, and inventory. If a fire, theft, or natural disaster strikes, you need this coverage to replace your equipment and get back to treating patients. Without it, you could be looking at tens of thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket replacement costs.
Optional Coverage: Smart Add-Ons as Your Practice Grows
Once you've covered the basics, several optional coverages make sense depending on your practice's specific situation. Business interruption insurance helps you recover lost income if your office temporarily closes due to a covered event like a fire or severe storm. If you're operating on thin margins, this coverage can be the difference between surviving a temporary closure and shutting down permanently.
Cyber liability insurance has shifted from optional to nearly essential in 2025. Your practice stores patient health records, payment information, and other sensitive data. A single data breach can trigger massive fines under HIPAA regulations, not to mention the cost of notifying patients and providing credit monitoring. Many professional liability policies now include HIPAA defense coverage, which helps if you're accused of accidentally releasing patient information. If your policy doesn't include this, consider adding standalone cyber coverage.
Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) protects against claims of wrongful termination, discrimination, and harassment. As your staff grows, so does your exposure to employment-related lawsuits. Many Business Owner's Policies include EPLI, making it an easy and affordable add-on. Commercial auto insurance becomes necessary if you own vehicles for your practice or if employees drive for work purposes—regular personal auto policies won't cover business use.
Telehealth coverage is worth considering if you offer virtual consultations. Many malpractice policies now extend to cover accusations of professional negligence related to virtual appointments, but verify this with your insurer. License defense coverage helps pay legal costs if someone files a complaint with your state licensing board—a relatively inexpensive add-on that can save you thousands in attorney fees.
When to Add Coverage: Timing Your Insurance Decisions
Before you open your doors, you need professional liability and general liability insurance in place. Many states won't issue or renew your chiropractic license without proof of malpractice coverage. If you're leasing space, your landlord will require general liability before handing over the keys.
Add workers' compensation the day before your first employee starts work. Not after their first day, not after their first week—before they start. Most states impose severe penalties for operating without required workers' comp coverage, including fines and potential criminal charges. Commercial property insurance should go into effect as soon as you start purchasing equipment or moving into your office space.
Consider adding cyber liability when you implement electronic health records or start storing patient data digitally. Business interruption insurance makes sense once you have enough monthly expenses that a temporary closure would create financial hardship. EPLI becomes important when you hire your third or fourth employee—that's when employment disputes typically start to emerge.
Annual Review Items: Keeping Your Coverage Current
Insurance isn't a set-it-and-forget-it part of your business. Every year, you should review your coverage limits against your current exposure. Has your practice grown? You might need higher liability limits. Added expensive new equipment? Update your property insurance values. Expanded your staff? Make sure your workers' comp covers everyone.
Check whether your professional liability policy is claims-made or occurrence-based. Claims-made policies only cover incidents if the claim is filed while the policy is active, meaning you might need tail coverage when you retire or change insurers. Verify that all new services you offer—like telehealth, sports injury treatment, or nutritional counseling—are covered under your existing malpractice policy.
Review your deductibles annually. As your practice becomes more financially stable, increasing your deductibles can lower your premiums significantly. Compare quotes from multiple insurers—loyalty doesn't always pay in insurance, and you might find better rates or more comprehensive coverage elsewhere. Many chiropractors save money by bundling coverages into a Business Owner's Policy instead of buying each policy separately.
Getting Started With the Right Coverage
Start by getting quotes for professional liability, general liability, and commercial property insurance. If you have employees or plan to hire soon, add workers' compensation to that list. Many insurers specialize in healthcare practices and understand the unique risks chiropractors face. Compare not just premiums but also coverage limits, deductibles, exclusions, and additional features like license defense or HIPAA coverage.
Ask potential insurers about Business Owner's Policies, which can bundle your essential coverages at a discount. Find out whether they offer additional coverages you'll need as you grow, and whether you can add them easily to your existing policy. Read the fine print on exclusions—some policies exclude certain treatment modalities or complementary services.
Protecting your chiropractic practice doesn't have to be complicated. Start with the essentials—professional liability, general liability, workers' comp if you have employees, and property coverage. Add optional coverages as your practice grows and your exposure increases. Review everything annually to make sure your coverage keeps pace with your success. The peace of mind you'll get from knowing your practice is properly protected? That's priceless.
