Is Your Veterinary Clinic Covered for Equipment Breakdowns?

What Is Equipment Breakdown Insurance?

Equipment breakdown insurance covers the sudden, accidental failure of critical equipment due to:

• Mechanical failure

• Electrical short circuits

• Power surges

• Pressure system malfunctions

• Operator error (in some policies)

Unlike standard property insurance, which only covers physical damage from external events like fire or weather, equipment breakdown coverage protects against internal failures.

Why This Coverage Matters for Vet Clinics

Veterinary clinics rely heavily on specialized medical and diagnostic equipment. A single breakdown can disrupt your entire schedule, affect patient care, and lead to lost income or reputational damage.

Commonly covered equipment includes:

• X-ray and ultrasound machines

• Anesthesia machines

• Autoclaves and sterilization units

• HVAC systems (yes, climate control matters for animal safety!)

• Refrigerators and freezers (especially for vaccines and meds)

• Lab testing equipment

What’s Typically Covered

• Repair or replacement costs for damaged equipment

• Spoilage coverage for medications or vaccines affected by cooling failure

• Lost income if the breakdown leads to a partial or total business interruption

• Temporary equipment rentals while yours is being repaired

• Electrical system failures from power surges or shorts

Real Scenario: Cooling Failure

A Lafayette clinic lost power briefly during a summer storm, but when it came back on, the vaccine refrigerator didn’t. $5,000 worth of temperature-sensitive medication had to be thrown out. If you don’t have breakdown coverage, that’s an out-of-pocket loss.

What’s Not Covered

While equipment breakdown coverage fills important gaps, it won’t cover:

• Normal wear and tear

• Maintenance issues due to neglect

• Cosmetic damage that doesn’t affect function

• Non-scheduled equipment (you have to declare what’s covered)

That’s why it’s important to work with an agent who understands what gear your clinic uses—and makes sure it’s covered.

How Much Does It Cost?

For a small- to mid-sized veterinary clinic in Louisiana, equipment breakdown coverage can typically be added to your business owner’s policy (BOP) or as part of a commercial package policy for a few hundred dollars a year.

The actual cost depends on:

• Type and value of equipment

• Your claims history

• Size of the practice

• Policy limits and deductibles

It’s a small investment to protect the systems that keep your clinic running.

Keep Your Practice Running Without Disruptions

No one wants to cancel surgeries or delay treatment because of a machine failure. Animals don’t understand rescheduled appointments, and pet parents don’t want to hear that your equipment isn’t working.

At Kastner Insurance, we help veterinary clinics across Louisiana—from New Orleans and Baton Rouge to Alexandria and Youngsville—build commercial insurance plans that include the often-overlooked pieces, like equipment breakdown coverage.

Contact us today to see if your current policy protects your most essential tools—or if a single blown fuse could throw your whole clinic into chaos.

About Kastner Insurance Group