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Ed Branam

Ed Branam

DVM

About the Author

Protect & Defend columnist Ed Branam, DVM, is the veterinary and animal services program manager at Safehold Special Risk Inc. A 1977 graduate of the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Branam has worked in the insurance industry for the past 20 years. He is a former Sacramento, California, veterinarian and a former veterinary affairs manager with Hill’s Pet Nutrition.

Written By This Author

Business Insurance

The Dishonest Truth

Employee embezzlement is no small matter. Practice leaders can do a lot to prevent, or at least limit, it.

Business Insurance

Insure Your Property Properly

The cost of replacing and repairing buildings and their contents is rising fast because of inflation.

Personal Wellness

The Second Victims

When a mistake harms a patient, the caregivers also pay a heavy price.

Business Insurance

The Freedom to Freelance

Veterinarians working as independent contractors should investigate insurance coverage and purchase what an employer doesn’t provide.

Business Insurance

5 Keys to a Successful Safety Meeting

For starters, begin early in the day, take attendance, keep everything short, and make the presentation entertaining and visual.

Business Insurance

Calculated Risks

Practice owners should take a six-step approach when evaluating threats to people, property and animals and implementing solutions.

Business Insurance

ADA Compliance: It’s the Law

Practice owners should think of ADA compliance as a valuable marketing tool and risk-management strategy.

Business Insurance

3 Insurance Policies Every Veterinarian Should Have

Animal bailee insurance protects veterinary practices if an animal is injured or killed while in their care, custody or control.

Business Insurance

It’s Personal

The majority of commercial package policies provide business personal property coverage on a replacement-cost basis.

Business Insurance

Managing Workplace Injuries

No insurance company will give “cheap” workers’ compensation insurance to an employer with a bad history.

Practice Management

Prepare for the Unthinkable

Virtually all veterinary hospitals are potential soft targets for active shooters.

Business Insurance

A Crisis Situation

It’s critically important that you discuss your risk exposures with a knowledgeable insurance agent and adjust your risk-management portfolio accordingly.

Business Insurance

Set the Wheels in Motion

Mobile practitioners face several property and liability exposures.

Business Insurance

Steer Clear of Trouble

Practice owners need adequate insurance coverage when transporting pets and when employees are on the road.

Business Insurance

COVID, Insurance and Your Practice

Questions that few people were asking a year ago are suddenly on everybody’s mind.

Business Insurance

You Snooze, You Lose

Not preparing for a risk-management survey could cost you the chance to lower your insurance premiums. Not permitting a visit might mean a policy cancellation.

Business Insurance

Premium Advice

From requesting a risk inspection to raising their deductible, practice owners have numerous opportunities to reduce the cost of insurance.

Business Insurance

It’s for Your Benefit

Employee benefits liability insurance shields a practice when program administrators mishandle a situation.

Business Insurance

Don’t Manage Without It

Directors and officers liability insurance protects a veterinary practice’s executives and leaders from themselves and their bad decisions.

Business Insurance

Building a case for a builder’s risk policy

You should purchase additional insurance coverage whenever your veterinary practice is under construction or undergoing a renovation.

Business Insurance

Extra! Extra!

A standard liability policy might not be sufficient for your veterinary practice. Consider umbrella coverage to protect against larger or multiple claims.

Business Insurance

Common knowledge

Take the time to understand liability and common conditions in commercial insurance policies for veterinary practices.

Practice Ownership

Insure your property properly

Extensions. Deductibles. Exclusions. Not understanding the terms of your commercial policy could leave you short on coverage.

Business Insurance

A Crash Course on Auto Insurance

Make sure your practice is adequately covered for different types of vehicle classifications and situations.

Human Resources

Brush Up on Workers’ Comp

Your practice’s injury history goes a long way in determining insurance costs, but a good risk-management program can pay off down the line.

Business Insurance

It’s personal

If you think you might be sued or if you are, remember to report all claims immediately to your insurance company.

Legal Issues

Fear factors

Psychological studies show that people are often reluctant to escape and instead lock down.

Business Insurance

Damage control

Be sure your animal bailee policy covers expenses tied to the escape and recovery of a pet under your care.

Finance

Discounts? No!

If you discount your services to senior citizens, military members or firefighters, just stop. Instead, grandfather these clients by continuing their discount, but do not offer one to new clients.

Practice Management

Prepare for the unexpected

Knowing how to react when an emergency or natural disaster strikes will help safeguard lives and your hospital.

Innovation/Technology

Shared responsibility

Smaller businesses usually do not have the dedicated personnel, budgeted resources or the management focus needed to carry out a comparable vendor management program. However, the smallest company can take steps to help manage third-party cyber risk.

Business Insurance

Stay above water after a flood

Many practice owners do not know the cost to replace all their assets in the event of a flood.

Business Insurance

Are You Prepared for a Data Breach?

The theft of sensitive client information can do irreparable harm to a small business, so take preventive steps now.

Legal Issues

Get Serious About EPLI Coverage

Employment practices liability insurance safeguards against costly claims of discrimination and other workplace issues.

Business Insurance

Are You Underinsured?

An introduction to the nuts and bolts of properly insuring your practice.

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