Is professional liability available for vets?

Yes, veterinary malpractice can be added to the BOP via endorsement for most companion animal practices, covering claims of negligence in diagnosis or treatment.

What if a client slips in the lobby?

General liability covers third-party bodily injury claims from clients or visitors hurt on your premises, including slips or falls in the lobby.

Are we covered if an employee is bitten or scratched?

Yes, workers' compensation covers medical treatment and lost wages for staff injured on the job, including animal bites and scratches during handling.

What happens if refrigerated medications spoil during a power outage?

Business personal property or an equipment breakdown/spoilage endorsement can help address the loss of refrigerated vaccines and medications from a power outage.

Is surgical equipment covered if it malfunctions?

Equipment breakdown coverage addresses mechanical or electrical failure of surgical, dental, and diagnostic equipment used in the clinic.

Are patient and client records protected from a cyber incident?

Cyber liability helps cover breach notification and related costs if client contact information or animal medical records are exposed.

Does the policy cover a mobile veterinary van?

Commercial auto coverage should be added for any vehicle used to transport staff, equipment, or animals between appointments.

SIC 0742

Veterinarian Insurance in California

Coverage for veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, mobile veterinarians, and companion animal practices, including protection for property, equipment, liability, employees, and records.

Veterinarian examining a pet in an animal clinic

Who This Is For

This page is for companion animal veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, and mobile veterinary practices. If your operation performs exams, vaccinations, surgery, or boarding, and handles animals that can bite, scratch, or otherwise cause injury to staff and clients, this coverage is built around those realities.

Coverage Options for Veterinarian

Small and mixed-animal veterinary practices are a preferred Travelers class. Large animal and equine practices may require referral, and surgical operations should be disclosed.

Business Owners Policy

Bundles general liability and commercial property into a single, typically lower-cost policy that covers most day-to-day risks for the practice.

Professional Liability

Covers claims of negligence, errors, or omissions connected to the clinical services or advice you provide to patients.

General Liability

Protects against third-party claims of bodily injury or property damage — for example, a patient or visitor hurt in your office or waiting room.

Workers Compensation

Covers medical costs and lost wages for employees injured on the job, and is required in California for nearly every business with employees.

Cyber

Covers costs from a data breach, ransomware attack, or other cyber incident affecting patient records, scheduling systems, or payment data.

Commercial Property

Covers your office, equipment, and business personal property against fire, theft, water damage, and other covered perils.

Business Income

Replaces lost revenue and covers continuing expenses if a covered property loss forces you to temporarily close.

Equipment Breakdown

Covers the mechanical or electrical failure of diagnostic, treatment, or imaging equipment — often excluded from standard property coverage.

Real-Life Claim Scenarios for Veterinarian

Pet Owner Slips in the Lobby

A client slips on a wet floor near the check-in counter after a rainy day and suffers a hip injury, filing a claim against the clinic.

General Liability

Animal Bites an Employee

A frightened dog bites a veterinary technician during a routine exam, requiring medical treatment and time off work.

Workers Compensation

Surgical Equipment Damaged

An anesthesia monitor malfunctions mid-procedure, requiring emergency repair and rescheduling of surgical appointments.

Equipment Breakdown

Refrigerated Medications Spoil

A weekend power outage spoils a refrigerator of vaccines and injectable medications, creating a significant inventory loss.

Commercial Property

Client Records Exposed in a Cyber Incident

A ransomware attack locks the clinic's practice management system, exposing client contact and billing information.

Cyber

Veterinary surgical team performing a procedure in an animal hospital operating room

Common Insurance Requirements

Certificate of Insurance naming your landlord as additional insured

Workers' compensation coverage for veterinarians, technicians, and front-desk staff

Professional liability limits sufficient for referral network and specialty hospital relationships

Business personal property values documented for surgical, diagnostic, and boarding equipment

Cyber and data-handling provisions reviewed for client and patient medical records

What Affects Cost

These are the main factors Travelers underwriters typically review when pricing this class:

Companion animal vs. large animal or equine services
Whether surgery is performed on premises
Number of veterinarians and staff
Annual revenue
Claims history
Value of surgical and diagnostic equipment
Controlled substances kept on premises
Vehicles used for mobile veterinary services

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Healthcare Classes

Chiropractor Insurance Dentist Insurance Physician / Medical Practice Insurance Medical Spa Insurance Optometrist Insurance Physical Therapist Insurance

Get a Veterinarian Insurance Quote

Tell us about your practice and Casurance can help you review Travelers coverage options for veterinarian.

Coverage described on this page may help address certain risks common to this class, subject to policy terms, exclusions, and underwriting approval. Availability and pricing are not guaranteed and are determined by Travelers underwriting. This page is for informational purposes and is not an offer of coverage or medical/legal advice.

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