News at-a-Glance

Financial Strength Once Again Affirmed by Fitch Ratings

Fitch Ratings has affirmed its “A” (Strong) Insurer Financial Strength ratings for The Doctors Company, and the outlook of these ratings is “Stable.”

The ratings are based on Fitch’s assessment of our very strong statutory capital position and sufficient loss reserve levels. Fitch recognized The Doctors Company’s market position as the nation’s number-two writer of medical professional liability insurance.

With $7.3 billion in assets, we offer unrivaled financial strength and backing to protect your clients.

How Does Social Inflation Increase Healthcare Costs? Bob White Provides Answers

Robert E. White Jr., President of The Doctors Company and TDC Group, explains in the Fortune article “Medical Malpractice Payouts Are Ballooning—and Insurers Are Warning It Will Costs Patients” how social inflation increases the cost of healthcare.

Medical malpractice verdicts over $10 million have surged by 67 percent from 2013 to 2023, with over half of those verdicts exceeding $25 million in 2023 alone. Despite fewer claims overall, “social inflation” is driving increases in verdict amounts, fueled by societal desensitization to large numbers, third-party litigation investors, and emotional jury manipulation. This trend raises healthcare costs and promotes defensive medicine, but fortunately, tort reform may offer a solution.

At a time when medical malpractice claims verdicts are at an all-time high, this article outlines key reasons why now more than ever, it is critical for your clients to protect themselves and their practice with appropriate coverage from TDC Group.

Learn About Our Advocacy Efforts to Safeguard Patient Access to Care

The Doctors Company is committed to providing an enduring national platform for advocacy for healthcare on behalf of your clients. Led by personal injury lawyer associations, various states are actively pursuing legislative and ballot initiatives that could undermine crucial protections. As of midyear, TDC Group is closely monitoring over 6,700 bills across states, with over 60 identified as high priority for advocacy efforts to safeguard comprehensive healthcare access.

To give your clients a better understanding of the ongoing threat to medical liability protections across the U.S. and our efforts for keeping healthcare within reach, please share our latest issue of the Government Relations Advocacy Update.

Applications and Forms Now Easier for You to Locate

The Doctors Company is committed to improving your ease of doing business with us and to helping you efficiently service your clients. We’ve listened to feedback from agents and brokers and have redesigned our Applications and Forms webpage into specific categories to make it quicker and easier for you to find the documents you need. After logging into the Agent/Broker Portal, you can find the simplified webpage under “Tools and Publications” in both the portal and in the Agent/Broker Area of our website.

Annual Agents and Brokers Meeting Coming Up in September

Invitations have been sent to Chairman’s Circle and Key Agents to attend our 2024 Annual Agents and Brokers Meeting at the Silverado Resort in Napa, California, from September 4–6.

This year’s meeting will feature insightful presentations from company executives and industry experts. And back by popular demand, on the last day of the event we will also be offering one-on-one agency/brokerage meetings with regional and executive staff from The Doctors Company.

This year’s activities include a welcome reception with hors d’oeuvres and a wonderful selection of wines poured by Round Pond Winery and Mi Sueño Winery alongside Hog Island Oysters; an upscale, offsite dining experience at Louis M. Martini Winery; and the opportunity to participate in a host of entertaining events—such as a golf tournament, a pottery-making class, and wine tasting.

For questions, please contact Johana Moreno, Events Management, at (800) 421-2368, extension 1415, or jmoreno@thedoctors.com.

Meet Us at the ASHRM 2024 Annual Conference in October

The Doctors Company’s admitted medical professional liability (MPL) team will be in San Diego, California, during the American Society for Health Care Risk Management (ASHRM) 2024 Annual Conference from October 6–9. If you are planning to be in San Diego during ASHRM, we welcome the opportunity to meet with you and your customers and share new developments from our admitted MPL team. Representatives from our Business Development, Underwriting, and Patient Safety and Risk Management Departments will be available throughout the conference. To schedule a meeting, contact Bruce Anderson, Vice President of National Business Development, at (800) 421-2368, extension 1206, or bruce.anderson@thedoctors.com.

Time to Start Spending—New Co-op Funds Now Available for Use

The usage period for Chairman’s Circle and Key Agencies to utilize co-op funds began on July 1, 2024, and runs until June 30, 2025.

Your co-op funds can significantly reduce the cost of:

Stocking up on promotional merchandise—the TDC Group Merchandise Store has plenty of high-quality items in stock.
Building your social media presence.
Ordering customized marketing materials.
Placing digital or print advertising.
Pursuing professional development.
Attending training seminars.
Hosting special events or trade show sponsoring booths.

For questions related to the use of co-op funds, contact Johana Moreno, Events Management, at (800) 421-2368, extension 1415, or jmoreno@thedoctors.com.