Malpractice insurance is primarily intended to protect professionals against which of the following?

Malpractice insurance is specifically designed to provide coverage for professionals, such as doctors, lawyers, and accountants, against claims of negligence or inadequate work. This type of insurance helps protect individuals who are in professions that require a high standard of care and expertise. When a client believes that they have suffered harm due to a professional's failure to perform their duties adequately, they can file a malpractice claim.

Malpractice insurance ensures that the professional has financial protection for legal costs and any settlements or judgments that might arise from such claims. This coverage is crucial in maintaining the trust between clients and professionals, as it allows professionals to operate with the knowledge that they are protected against potentially devastating financial consequences that could arise from their work.

Options discussing theft, physical injuries, or property damage relate to different types of liability insurance. Claims of theft would be covered under a different type of insurance altogether (such as theft or crime insurance), while physical injuries sustained by clients and property damage caused during service are generally addressed through general liability insurance or other specific policies, rather than malpractice insurance. Thus, the focus of malpractice insurance on negligence or inadequate performance sets it apart as tailored for professionals facing these types of accusations.