Professional liability insurance for virtual care
Providing veterinary care in a virtual setting carries the same professional obligations and legal responsibilities as in-person practice. In both settings, veterinarians can face regulatory board complaints or civil litigation. This is why it’s essential for every veterinarian practicing on Vetster to have their own professional liability insurance.
What’s at stake in complaints and civil actions
When a pet owner files a complaint with your state or provincial licensing board, you may face:
- License defense costs: Attorney’s fees to represent you before the board, which can run into the tens of thousands of dollars depending on complexity.
- Administrative fines or sanctions: Monetary penalties, mandated continuing education, probation, or even suspension or revocation of your license.
In a civil malpractice lawsuit, potential financial exposure can include:
- Defense attorney’s fees and court costs: Even if a case is dismissed, defending it can be costly.
- Settlements or judgments: These are payments you may be legally required to make to a claimant if found liable for professional negligence.
- Expert witness fees: These include the cost of veterinary experts retained to review your case and testify on your behalf.
Without your own professional liability insurance, these costs can end up being entirely your responsibility.
Telehealth doesn’t reduce liability
Industry data show that across all of veterinary medicine, poor communication, inadequate documentation, and VCPR violations are leading contributors to veterinary malpractice and board complaints. These risks are not limited to in-person, brick-and-mortar practices. While clear communication, thorough documentation, and compliance with VCPR regulations can help minimize the likelihood of a complaint or civil action, they don't fully eliminate it.
Why carry a professional liability insurance policy?
Historically, malpractice insurance was less common in the veterinary industry, as animals were considered property and thus only a replacement fee would apply in the event an animal was harmed or died during treatment. Changing attitudes toward pets have courts hearing more cases for veterinary malpractice and negligence similar to what physicians have endured since the 1960s. With several progressive countries considering animals as sentient beings, we expect the legal system to continue this trend in how it treats claims against veterinarians.
In general, liability insurance provides financial support for claims of negligence. For example, if you own a hardware store and a customer slips on the ice on their way out of the store, they can make a complaint of negligence against you for failing to keep the sidewalk clear. A commercial liability policy would provide coverage for that claim.
Many veterinary-specific, professional liability insurance products go a step beyond and provide additional support to:
- Protect your license
- Vigorously defend against malpractice claims
- Use claims adjusters familiar with veterinary practice
- Refuse to settle a claim without your consent
- Cover court costs and defense attorney fees
- Provide expert witnesses to testify on your behalf
- Educate you on how to avoid malpractice claims
Equally important, having a policy tailored to your scope of practice, including coverage for telehealth, provides peace of mind. With the assurance that you are protected against covered claims, you can focus on delivering high-quality patient care without the added stress of worrying about coverage gaps.
Vetster’s Terms of Use require all veterinarians to hold and maintain appropriate professional liability insurance while listing services on the platform and to provide proof of coverage upon request. This requirement reflects standard industry practice, where veterinarians are expected to maintain their own policies in addition to any coverage provided by an employer or clinic. Vetster reserves the right to remove veterinarians from the platform if they do not carry an appropriate individual professional liability policy.
Where to buy professional liability insurance?
Veterinarians seeking professional liability insurance tailored to their needs can explore several specialized insurance providers. The AVMA Professional Liability Trust is one example of a veterinarian-specific product offered by a professional association. The AVMA-PLIT website also does a good job explaining what to look for in a policy. The Hartford is partnered with the AVMA and offers veterinary professional liability policies as well. For maximum protection, choose a policy that includes coverage for license defense and telemedicine services. It is advisable for veterinarians to consult with an insurance broker or agent who specializes in veterinary insurance to ensure they obtain a policy that meets their specific requirements and offers comprehensive coverage for their practice.
Veterinarians in Canada can obtain professional liability insurance through the CVMA Insurance Program, offered by Western Financial Group in partnership with the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association. This program provides comprehensive coverage tailored to veterinarians, including professional liability, legal expense coverage for license defense, and cyber liability.
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You may create an account as a veterinary professional, or learn more here.
