Originally published in December 2019. Updated November 2025.

With insurance limits, retroactive dates, coverage exclusions and more, insurance can be confusing. At the AOA Insurance Alliance administered by Lockton Affinity, we strive to make it as simple as possible.

Read on for some basic information about how to select insurance limits for key coverages like Malpractice and Cyber Liability insurance.

Understanding Insurance Limits

An insurance limit, or limit of liability, is the maximum amount the insurance company will pay under a given policy. If a claim is filed against you, the maximum amount the insurance company will pay is the limit you selected.

Depending on the type of policy you have, you may see limits of liability written differently. Common examples, include:

  • $1,000,000 Occurrence / $3,000,000 Aggregate
  • $1,000,000 Claim / $3,000,000 Aggregate
  • $1,000,000 Occurrence Limit / $3,000,000 General Aggregate Limit

Despite how the limits of liability are written, they are always set up in the same way. The first number is the maximum amount for damages and expenses to be paid for a single occurrence or incident. The second number is the maximum total dollar amount that your policy will pay in a policy term (typically an annual policy).

Malpractice insurance from the AOA Insurance Alliance is offered with insurance limits of:

  • $1,000,000 Occurrence / $3,000,000 Aggregate
  • $2,000,000 Occurrence / $4,000,000 Aggregate

Get a quote today to see what coverage looks like for your practice.

How to Select Malpractice Insurance Limits as an Optometrist

When you select malpractice insurance limits, it is different for every optometrist and every practice. Ask yourself these questions when looking at coverage.

What is my exposure?

If you are just starting your practice, a lower insurance limit may be appropriate given the assets of your practice. As you grow, or if your operations create larger exposures for third-party damages, consider this and adjust your limits accordingly.

Are there industry insurance requirements I need to meet?

Though Malpractice insurance is required by law for those practicing in the field of optometry, there are not specific limit requirements.

However, you do want to ensure your policy covers all optometric services within your state’s defined scope of practice.

What are the benefits of a group policy?

If you own a practice, you might want to add your employees to your Malpractice policy. Not only do you get consistent coverage for yourself, your practice and your partners, you may receive more competitive premiums for your entire group. Consider shared or separate limits for your group policy.

How to Select Cyber Liability Insurance Limits as an Optometrist

While Cyber Liability insurance is not required for those practicing in the field of optometry, many optometrists are turning to this important coverage due to the rising risks of cyber attacks.

Cyber Liability insurance from the AOA Insurance Program is designed especially for optometrists and their practices, so it provides coverage to protect you and your practice against top cyber threats impacting today’s ODs.

To fit your exact needs, there are two comprehensive coverage options, which have varying limits for certain coverages, such as business interruption expenses, data recovery costs, regulatory fines, notification costs, legal expenses and more.

Explore our Cyber Liability coverage guide to review pricing and limit options and learn about key cyber risks your practice may face.

Select Your Insurance Limits with Help from Lockton Affinity

As the administrator of the AOA Insurance Alliance, Lockton Affinity is here to support the insurance needs of optometrists and their practices.

Lockton Affinity’s knowledgeable representatives can walk you through your limit options for both Malpractice coverage and Cyber Liability insurance — answering your questions, helping you understand your option s and ensuring your policy fits the unique needs of your practice.

With Lockton Affinity’s guidance, you can feel confident that everyone who needs protection is fully covered, allowing you to focus on what matters most: practicing with peace of mind.

To talk with a representative, call (888) 343-1998 Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. or email Info@AOAInsuranceAlliance.com at your convenience.