Why Your Louisiana Vet Clinic Needs More Than Just Malpractice Insurance

Malpractice Covers the Medicine—But Not the Business

Veterinary malpractice insurance is designed to handle professional mistakes: surgical errors, misdiagnoses, medication overdoses. But running a vet clinic isn’t just about animal care—it’s also about running a high-traffic, high-liability business.

That’s where additional insurance policies come in.

What Types of Coverage Do Vet Clinics Actually Need?

Before diving into specific coverages, it helps to understand where most risk actually comes from. Your clinic handles:

• Expensive equipment (X-rays, lab systems, anesthesia machines)

• Medical records and payment info (data breach risk)

• Daily foot traffic from pet owners, staff, and delivery drivers

• Potentially aggressive animals

• Long operating hours and after-hours emergencies

Now let’s talk about how to protect it all.

1. General Liability Insurance

This covers third-party injuries and property damage that happen on your premises. Not animal-related mistakes—just accidents.

Example:
A pet owner slips on a wet floor in the lobby. Their ER bill and possible lawsuit would fall under this policy.

It can also cover:

• Delivery drivers injured on-site

• Damage caused to clients’ property while on your premises

• Accidental property damage during mobile visits (if applicable)

2. Equipment Breakdown Coverage

Veterinary clinics rely heavily on technology. If your surgical tools, autoclave, digital X-ray, or exam lights fail due to a power surge, mechanical breakdown, or even overheating, repairs or replacements can be expensive—and slow you down.

This coverage helps pay for:

• Repairs or replacement of broken machines

• Lost income due to downtime

• Temporary rental equipment to stay operational

3. Cyber Liability Insurance

If your clinic stores client info, payment details, or digital records (which most do), you're at risk for data breaches—even if unintentional.

Coverage includes:

• Legal and regulatory costs

• Client notification and credit monitoring

• Data restoration

• Cyber extortion and ransomware attacks

One phishing email could lead to a massive legal headache—and reputational damage.

4. Workers’ Compensation

If your vet tech gets bitten, your receptionist slips in the breakroom, or a kennel worker injures their back, workers’ comp steps in.

It helps cover:

• Medical expenses

• Lost wages

• Rehab

• Lawsuit protection from injured employees

Even a small clinic with just a few employees can be on the hook for serious injury costs if uninsured.

5. Commercial Property Insurance

From fires and hurricanes to theft and water damage, your building and everything inside it need protection.

Covered assets often include:

• The building itself

• Medical equipment

• Computers and furniture

• Medications and inventory

• Kennels, cages, and specialty gear

This is foundational protection for any physical practice.

Common Scenarios Louisiana Vets Should Plan For

Scenario 1: Hurricane Damage

Your clinic in New Orleans takes water damage during a Category 2 storm. Property insurance handles the damage. Business interruption covers the lost income during repairs.

Scenario 2: Equipment Meltdown

A faulty power strip causes your X-ray machine to short out. Equipment breakdown coverage kicks in to get you back up and running.

Scenario 3: Lawsuit From a Fall

A dog owner is knocked down by an excited Labrador in the lobby. They fracture their wrist. General liability helps pay for their medical bills and any legal claims.

Do You Have the Right Insurance Mix?

If your clinic only carries malpractice coverage, you’re exposed to everything else that can—and often does—go wrong.

We recommend vet clinics consider:

• A Business Owners Policy (BOP)

• Separate cyber and equipment breakdown coverage

• Evaluating liability limits to match foot traffic and location risk

• Workers’ comp, even for lean teams

You Care for Animals. We Help Protect Your Practice.

At Kastner Insurance, we work with veterinarians across Louisiana—from Lafayette to Alexandria, Baton Rouge to New Orleans. We understand the day-to-day challenges of running a clinic—and the risks that come with it.

We’re an independent insurance agency, which means we don’t work for one carrier—we work for you. Our team will help you build a custom protection plan that fits your clinic, your budget, and your peace of mind.

Ready to go beyond basic malpractice coverage?
Contact us today for a commercial insurance review built specifically for veterinary offices.

About Kastner Insurance Group