By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Farmers Insurance Company says it will
stop selling medical malpractice insurance in Missouri and 17 other states.
Farmers says no existing policies will be renewed, starting the first of next year. The policies will be allowed to expire over the next 15 months.
The news comes as hospital and doctors' groups in Missouri continue to push for legal reforms they say are critical to keeping malpractice policies in check. They blame large jury verdicts for
the rising costs of malpractice insurance, and say the expense is forcing some Missouri doctors out of business.
A spokeswoman says Farmers Insurance has lost large amounts of money in its medical malpractice business. The company now will
focus on home, business, auto and life insurance.