Veterinary Clinics Coverage Guide
Vet practices face malpractice claims (mostly small awards because animals are 'property'), employee bite/scratch injuries (high WC frequency), and boarding/kennel exposure. Drug DEA compliance adds D&O-like risk.
Critical Coverage
General Liability
Covers third-party bodily injury and property damage claims
What it covers
Bites/scratches to staff (WC) or other animals (GL), premises injuries, kennel/boarding incidents.
Common misconception
Vet practices have unique GL exposure for animal interactions in waiting rooms.
What it does NOT cover
Professional services. Auto.
The gap — what happens without it
A dog in waiting room bites another dog — $4K vet bill claim. GL pays.
What drives your premium
Office, volume
Endorsements to ask about
Animal bailee. Boarding endorsement. Care/custody/control.
Workers' Compensation
Covers employee injuries and illnesses on the job
What it covers
Animal bites/scratches (high frequency), needlesticks, lifting injuries, repetitive motion.
Common misconception
Vet techs have one of the higher injury rates in healthcare.
What it does NOT cover
Owner exemption.
The gap — what happens without it
Tech bitten by aggressive patient — $8K medical. WC pays.
What drives your premium
Payroll, state
Endorsements to ask about
Voluntary comp.
Professional Liability (E&O)
Covers claims of negligence or mistakes in professional services
What it covers
Veterinary malpractice (small awards because animals are 'property' under most state laws but legal trends are changing), surgical errors, anesthesia complications.
Common misconception
Vets think malpractice claims are small because animals are property. Bonded-pet movements are pushing courts to recognize emotional damages — claims are growing.
What it does NOT cover
Intentional acts. Acts outside licensure scope.
The gap — what happens without it
Anesthesia death during routine spay; family sues for $25K + emotional damages. Malpractice pays.
What drives your premium
Specialty (surgery, exotics higher), claims
Endorsements to ask about
Disciplinary defense. Boarding/kennel coverage.
Important Coverage
Commercial Property
Covers your building, equipment, and inventory
What it covers
Buildout, equipment (X-ray, anesthesia, surgical), inventory (medications).
Common misconception
Vet equipment is expensive and DEA-controlled inventory has special handling.
What it does NOT cover
Flood. Earthquake. Mechanical breakdown.
The gap — what happens without it
Fire damages equipment — $80K. Property pays.
What drives your premium
Equipment, inventory
Endorsements to ask about
Equipment breakdown. Drug inventory schedule.
Cyber Liability
Covers data breaches, ransomware, and digital threats
What it covers
Breach response for client records (which include payment cards and pet medical histories).
Common misconception
Vet practices aren't HIPAA-covered but state breach laws still apply.
What it does NOT cover
Unencrypted devices.
The gap — what happens without it
Ransomware encrypts client database — $90K recovery. Cyber pays.
What drives your premium
Records
Endorsements to ask about
Funds-transfer fraud.
Employment Practices Liability (EPLI)
Covers wrongful termination, discrimination, and harassment claims
What it covers
Employment claims.
Common misconception
Mid-size practices have routine employment exposures.
What it does NOT cover
Wage/hour.
The gap — what happens without it
Terminated tech alleges discrimination — $35K. EPLI pays.
What drives your premium
Employees, state
Endorsements to ask about
Wage/hour.
Not sure what you need?
Text us your trade and state — we'll tell you exactly what coverages apply to your business and shop the market for the best rate.