In the last decade, assault incidents in healthcare settings have nearly doubled, pushing the risk of costly assault claims higher than ever before. That trend means the old practice of assuming a generic workers’ compensation policy covers all workplace violence is no longer safe. Agents now need to make sure every healthcare client’s policy includes a specific workplace violence endorsement that covers assault claims and that the limits are commensurate with the employer’s exposure.
From my experience as a national WC PM, I see many carriers still default to generic violence coverage, which leaves clients exposed.
Why Healthcare Employers Need Assault Coverage Now
Risk & Insurance indicates that assault incidents in healthcare have surged, climbing from 0.5 per 1,000 employees in 2016 to 1.1 in 2025—a 120% increase. Adding to that, NCCI’s recent medical price growth report shows a 1.0% rise in costs for June, underscoring how assault claims can now strain a policy’s loss ratio.
What agents should do now
- Request a workplace violence endorsement. When submitting a renewal or new placement for a healthcare employer, add a line item for a “Workplace Violence – Assault” endorsement. Ask the carrier to confirm that the endorsement explicitly covers assault claims, not just general violence.
- Verify policy limits. Compare the endorsement limit to the employer’s payroll and the typical cost of an assault claim in the region. If the limit is below the median claim cost, negotiate a higher limit or a separate assault rider.
- Document training and prevention programs. Request evidence that the employer has a workplace violence prevention plan, staff training, and incident reporting procedures. Many carriers will use this information to adjust the premium or to qualify for a discount.
- Educate the client. Explain that without a specific assault endorsement, the policy may not cover the employer’s liability for assault injuries, potentially leaving the employer exposed to out‑of‑pocket costs.
- Track changes in assault data. Set up a quarterly review of assault statistics for each healthcare client. If the rate climbs, re‑evaluate the endorsement limit and consider additional risk‑management services.
What this means for your placements
By proactively adding a workplace violence endorsement and ensuring adequate limits, you protect your clients from costly assault claims and position yourself as a risk‑management partner. This extra step may add a modest premium, but it also reduces the likelihood of a catastrophic loss that could jeopardize the client’s business continuity. In a market where medical costs are rising and assault incidents are climbing, the extra coverage is a prudent investment for both the employer and the agent.
For more insights, visit Risk & Insurance – Healthcare Assault Rates and Risk & Insurance – NCCI Medical Price Growth.
Sources
- Risk & Insurance (2026-07-29)
- Risk & Insurance (2026-08-05)
Tags: workers' comp, healthcare, workplace violence, claims