It was the first week of July, and the heat index in Baton Rouge was pushing 112 degrees. Dr. Kendall’s veterinary clinic was packed with pets needing checkups, surgeries, and boarding care. But when the power went out mid-morning—knocking out the AC, lights, and exam equipment—the clinic had to shut its doors immediately. Four dogs had to be relocated, appointments canceled, and surgeries postponed. The outage lasted four days. Dr. Kendall lost more than time. She lost revenue, too.

Unfortunately, the power company wasn’t liable, and the landlord wasn’t moving quickly. That’s when Dr. Kendall remembered she had business income insurance—and it saved her from dipping deep into savings just to stay open.

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What Is Business Income Insurance (and Why Do Vet Clinics Need It)?

Business income insurance, also called business interruption insurance, helps cover lost income when your veterinary practice has to temporarily close due to a covered event. This isn’t just about fires or floods—it can include things like:

  • Extended power outages

  • HVAC failure

  • Severe weather damage

  • Structural damage that makes the clinic unsafe

If your building is unusable, your income doesn’t have to stop completely.

What Does It Cover for a Veterinary Practice?

Here’s what business income coverage usually includes for vet clinics in Louisiana:

  • Lost revenue from canceled appointments or procedures

  • Ongoing expenses like rent, utilities, and payroll

  • Temporary relocation costs if you need to move operations

  • Extra expenses to speed up reopening (like renting equipment)

It’s meant to help your practice survive the gap between a disaster—and getting back to work.

What It Doesn’t Cover

It’s just as important to understand what isn’t covered:

  • Damage to your building or equipment (that’s commercial property insurance)

  • Losses from voluntary closures

  • Interruptions caused by pandemics (in most modern policies)

  • Utility failure not linked to physical damage

That’s why it’s key to work with an agent who understands the specific risks of vet clinics in Louisiana—not just someone selling a generic policy.

Real-World Scenarios That Make This Coverage Worth It

Let’s look at some common Louisiana-based disruptions:

1. HVAC Breakdown in Summer Your clinic becomes unsafe for animals without AC, especially for boarded pets. You’re forced to close for 3 days while the unit is repaired. Covered.

2. Water Pipe Bursts in Alexandria A pipe breaks overnight and floods the reception area and surgery suite. Cleanup takes a week. Covered.

3. Hurricane-Related Access Issues You’re not flooded—but power’s out, roads are blocked, and clients can’t get to you. If the cause is a covered peril, income loss may still be covered.

Why Vet Clinics in Louisiana Face Higher Interruption Risks

From intense summer heatwaves to hurricane season and unpredictable infrastructure, veterinary clinics in Lafayette, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans operate in a high-risk zone for business interruption. Pet owners rely on you daily—not just for care, but also for emergency services, boarding, and medication.

Even one day closed can disrupt your schedule and revenue for weeks.

A Quick Insurance Check-Up

You don’t want to wait until a ceiling collapses or a transformer blows to find out your coverage is missing. Ask yourself:

  • Do you know how long your business could survive without income?

  • Are your current coverage limits based on last year’s numbers—or this year’s?

  • Could you pay rent, staff, and care for boarded animals during a closure?

If any of those answers make you pause, it’s time for a review.

Kastner Insurance Helps Vet Clinics Stay Open (Even When the Doors Are Closed)

Veterinary professionals spend their days caring for others. At Kastner Insurance, we make sure someone’s looking out for them, too.

We specialize in business insurance for veterinary practices across Louisiana—Lafayette, Youngsville, Baton Rouge, Alexandria, and more. From power outages to plumbing disasters, we help you bounce back faster.

Let’s review your coverage so you’re not left scrambling when the unexpected strikes. 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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