Protect and Defend

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

Does your veterinary practice operate under a board of directors? Do you serve on the board or as an officer responsible for management decisions that have a direct financial impact on others associated with the organization? If so, directors and officers liability insurance, often referred to as D&O insurance, should be an important component of […]

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

Are you considering building, expanding or remodeling your veterinary hospital? Before starting any construction or renovation project, make sure you have the proper insurance coverage in place. Your property will be at risk of several exposures significantly different from those associated with an operational veterinary facility. Many of these exposures are typically not covered by […]

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

The number of lawsuits filed and monetary awards handed out have increased in today’s litigious society. As a result, coverage limits in standard commercial general liability policies — typically $1 million per occurrence and $2 million in annual aggregate — are often insufficient for modern veterinary practices. Your liability related to the transmission of zoonotic […]

What if a client blamed you because her car was dented in your parking lot? Or if the photo you posted on your website violated copyright law? Take the time to understand liability and common conditions in commercial insurance policies.

In the June/July 2019 issue, I discussed Section I: Property of the standard commercial insurance policy. In this issue, I will review sections II and III: Liability and common policy conditions. Section II: Liability A commercial general liability policy protects the identified business against claims for bodily injury and property damage arising out of the […]

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

Practice owners view a commercial insurance policy the same way a veterinary textbook appears to a layperson: lots of pages, small type, indecipherable words. One can only hope that in the event of an insurance claim, appropriate coverage is found somewhere within all the verbiage. Though understanding everything in your commercial insurance policy isn’t practical, […]

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

Does your veterinary practice own a motor vehicle? Regardless of your answer, operating a vehicle on company-related business is unquestionably one of the largest liability exposures that exist for a veterinary services organization. Over 10 million motor vehicle accidents occur each year in the United States. A statistic like that makes a comprehensive auto insurance […]

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.

Workers’ compensation insurance is a form of no-fault coverage developed specifically to provide medical and wage-replacement benefits to employees who are injured or become ill on the job. In addition, injured employees might be eligible for temporary or permanent disability, vocational rehabilitation or death benefits. In exchange, employees surrender their right to bring negligence claims […]

Make sure you are adequately covered against medical missteps and that your insurance provider will fight for you during a state license challenge.

Companion animals play an ever-increasing role in society. They have migrated from the barn and backyard to become members of the household, spending their days lounging on our couches and beds. Therefore, it is not surprising that when a pet dies or experiences an adverse event during the delivery of veterinary care, the owner frequently […]

All hospital employees should be taught how to react in the face of a physical threat. The principles behind ALICE are a good starting point.

Unprovoked violence against groups of innocent people is frightening. Sometimes random, sometimes retaliatory, the acts are perpetrated against businesses, churches, schools, theaters and even military installations. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires employers to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards. The risks to veterinary practice employees traditionally have focused on bites and scratches, […]

Animal bailee insurance is a crucial need when you are responsible for the custody, transport or care of patients.

The hospitalization of patients, be it for a few hours or several days, is routine at every veterinary practice. In addition, many hospitals offer grooming and boarding as an extension of their services. From a business liability standpoint, the question then becomes, “What happens if an animal in my possession is injured or dies, is […]