As a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics' Committee on Liability, I have been asked to comment further on professional liability coverage for residents (Pediatrics 1989;83:311). The positions stated are satisfactory. However, the problems encountered by residents who "moonlight" under a professional liability coverage written on a "claims made" form were not addressed.
Most medical professional liability individual policies in the United States are now written on a "claims made" form. This classification means that the insured is covered only for claims arising and reported during the policy year for which a premium has been paid.