Veterinary practices carry professional liability exposure similar to medical practices but with a coverage gap that doesn't exist in human medicine: the care, custody, and control exclusion. Standard GL policies exclude property in the insured's control — and animals are legally property. If a patient dies during a procedure and the GL policy won't pay because it was in the clinic's care, the practice is exposed for the full claim. Closing this gap is the most important technical task in writing veterinary professional liability.
Professional Liability (Veterinary Malpractice)Covers claims arising from veterinary professional services — a surgical error, incorrect medication dosage, misdiagnosis, anesthetic complication, or failure to diagnose a condition. Veterinary malpractice is a claims-made policy and the primary professional exposure for any practice. As the emotional bond between clients and pets increases, malpractice claims are increasingly pursued even when the economic value of the animal is modest.
Commercial General LiabilityCovers bodily injury and property damage at the veterinary facility — a client bitten by another patient in the waiting room, a client who trips and falls in the clinic, or property damage caused by an escaped animal. Animal bite liability from animals in the practice's care creates unique premises liability exposure.
Commercial PropertyCovers the clinic building (if owned), medical equipment, diagnostic equipment (x-ray, ultrasound, dental), surgical equipment, computers, pharmacy inventory, and specialty supplies. Veterinary diagnostic equipment is expensive and should be scheduled at replacement cost. Pharmacy inventory including controlled substances must also be addressed.
Workers' CompensationVeterinary staff face elevated WC risk from animal bites and scratches, zoonotic disease exposure (rabies, ringworm, leptospirosis), musculoskeletal injuries from restraining animals, needle sticks, and chemical exposures from anesthetic gases and disinfectants. WC is mandatory in virtually every state.
Care, Custody & Control (Animal Bailee)Standard property policies exclude animals in the insured's care because animals are living property with unpredictable value. If an animal dies or is seriously injured while in the veterinary clinic's care — during a procedure, while recovering, or while boarding — an animal bailee or veterinary liability endorsement covers the resulting claim. This is the gap most frequently overlooked.
Commercial AutoRequired for any practice vehicles — mobile veterinary units, large animal call vehicles, or delivery vans. Mobile or large animal veterinary practices that travel to farms and ranches need commercial auto that covers the vehicle, equipment, and the business use of travel to patient locations.
Employment Practices Liability (EPLI)Veterinary practices employ a predominantly female workforce in close physical and emotional proximity to animals and clients. Turnover in veterinary support roles is high. EPLI covers harassment, discrimination, and wrongful termination claims from veterinary technicians, assistants, and front desk staff.
Equipment BreakdownVeterinary diagnostic equipment — ultrasound machines, digital radiography systems, anesthetic machines, dental equipment, and laboratory analyzers — represents significant capital investment and is critical to the practice's ability to treat patients. Equipment breakdown coverage pays for repair or replacement when mechanical or electrical failure occurs.
ACORD 125 — Commercial Insurance ApplicationPrimary submission document for every veterinary account. Captures practice type (small animal, large animal, equine, mixed practice, specialty/emergency, exotic animal), ownership structure, years in operation, and prior coverage history.
ACORD 126 — Commercial General Liability SectionRequired for GL coverage. Describe all practice operations — if the practice offers boarding or grooming in addition to medical services, these exposures must be separately disclosed. Boarding operations create premises liability and animal bailee exposure distinct from the medical practice.
ACORD 130 — Workers Compensation ApplicationRequired for WC. Veterinary staff classifications include veterinarians (code 8833), vet technicians and assistants (8833 or practice-specific code), and front desk/clerical staff (8810). Payroll by classification and officer inclusion/exclusion elections are required.
ACORD 140 — Property SectionRequired when quoting commercial property. Veterinary practices should schedule major diagnostic equipment by item with replacement cost values. Pharmacy and drug inventory value should be estimated separately.
→What type of veterinary practice — small animal only, large animal, equine, mixed, specialty/emergency, exotic/zoo, mobile?
→How many licensed veterinarians are in the practice?
→How many veterinary technicians and support staff?
→What is the annual gross revenue?
→Does the practice offer boarding services? How many animals at capacity?
→Does the practice offer grooming services?
→Does the practice perform surgery — routine (spay/neuter) or specialty (orthopedic, soft tissue, ophthalmology)?
→Does the practice have a 24-hour emergency service or after-hours emergency line?
→Does the practice maintain an in-house pharmacy with controlled substances?
→What is the replacement cost value of major medical equipment — x-ray, ultrasound, dental, surgical?
→Has the practice had any malpractice claims or client complaints about patient care in the last 5 years?
→Has the practice had any animal deaths during or following procedures in the last 5 years?
→Has the practice had any staff injuries from animal bites, scratches, or zoonotic disease exposure?
→Does the practice treat aggressive or dangerous breed animals?
→Does the practice perform exotic animal or wildlife rehabilitation?
→What state veterinary license(s) does the practice hold?
→Is the practice accredited by AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association)?