Dr. Lena Boudreaux had been running her small animal clinic in Youngsville for over a decade. Her patients loved her, her staff stuck around, and she thought she’d checked every box when it came to protecting her business. But when a delivery driver tripped over a leash in the hallway and broke his wrist, she was stunned to find out her policy didn’t fully cover third-party injuries that occurred outside the treatment room.

“I thought general liability would handle that,” she said, staring at a bill her insurance refused to pay. She wasn’t alone—too many Louisiana veterinarians find out about coverage gaps the hard way.

If you run a veterinary clinic in Lafayette, Baton Rouge, or anywhere in Acadiana, you need to know where the weak spots might be hiding in your commercial policy. Here are three overlooked gaps—and how to fix them before they cost you time, money, or your practice’s reputation.

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1. Gaps in Animal Bailee Coverage

Most vets assume their general liability policy covers injuries or deaths that happen to pets in their care. Not necessarily. That’s where animal bailee coverage comes in.

What Can Go Wrong:

  • A dog escapes its kennel and injures itself.

  • A cat reacts poorly to anesthesia and suffers complications.

  • A technician accidentally administers the wrong dosage.

If your policy doesn’t specifically include bailee coverage, you could be held financially liable—even if you were doing everything “by the book.”

What to Do:

Talk to your insurance agent about adding or increasing your animal bailee limits. Some policies have low sub-limits ($1,000–$5,000) that won’t come close to covering today’s veterinary costs—or someone’s emotional claim tied to a high-value pet.

2. Weak Cyber Liability Limits

It’s 2025. If your clinic stores client information digitally—including payment info or medical records—you’re a cyber risk.

What Can Go Wrong:

  • Ransomware locks you out of your practice management software.

  • Hackers steal pet owner payment info.

  • A staff member clicks a phishing link that infects your network.

What to Do:

Cyber liability isn’t just for big hospitals anymore. Veterinary clinics are increasingly targeted because they handle sensitive information but rarely have strong cybersecurity protocols in place. Ask your agent about a dedicated cyber policy or an endorsement that includes:

  • Data breach response

  • Notification expenses

  • Legal defense

  • Ransomware/extortion protection

3. Gaps in Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI)

It only takes one former employee to file a claim for discrimination, wrongful termination, or harassment. Even if you did nothing wrong, defending yourself could cost thousands.

What Can Go Wrong:

  • A technician claims they were overlooked for promotion due to age or gender.

  • A fired receptionist says she was let go unfairly.

  • A staff dispute escalates and a hostile work environment is alleged.

What to Do:

An EPLI policy can protect your veterinary clinic from the legal and financial fallout of employment-related claims. Even if you only have 3–4 employees, this coverage matters—especially in today’s litigious environment.

A Veterinary Practice Isn’t Just a Clinic—It’s a Business

From liability and property coverage to employment and cyber protections, your veterinary business has unique needs. At Kastner Insurance, we specialize in helping Louisiana veterinary practices understand their risks and choose coverage that fits—not just check boxes.

Serving Lafayette, Youngsville, Broussard, Baton Rouge, NOLA, and surrounding areas, we make sure you’re protected from front desk to exam room.

Need help reviewing your veterinary insurance policies? Contact Kastner Insurance today.

About Kastner Insurance Group

Founded in 2017, Kastner Insurance Group is a full-service, independent insurance broker based in Lafayette, LA. Our insurance agents specialize in offering a variety of insurance products tailored to individual and commercial needs, making sure clients receive personalized and comprehensive coverage options from a variety of insurance companies/insurance carriers.

With over 43 years of combined experience, the team at Kastner Insurance Group is dedicated to providing expert advice and exceptional service. They proudly serve professional offices and businesses across Lafayette city/parish, Youngsville, Broussard, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Alexandria, Acadiana, and statewide in Louisiana.

Call us today or visit our website for a customized quote.  

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