I'm not so concerned about the malpractice premium rates as I am about the likelihood of being sued in certain specialties. On avg, most physicians will be sued at least once in their career, irrespective of how "competent" or careful they are. It is extremely stressful to be sued, you feel bad as your clinical skills are questioned, you risk losing your license and ability to practice medicine if there was gross malpractice, and these cases can draw on for several years. Theoretically, they could go after your personal assests too, although historically, they have not been doing so.