Whether you represent a solo mobile veterinarian or a national network of 24-hour emergency clinics, Safehold offers flexible, practice-focused options. The program is available in most states and is supported by a dedicated claims and risk control team experienced in veterinary operations.
Target Classes
This program is ideal for:
- Single-location and multi-location veterinary practices
- Large animal, equine, and household pet veterinary operations
- Specialty and emergency veterinary hospitals
- Mobile veterinary practices
- Veterinary behaviorists
- Pet lodging and daycare facilities
- Pet groomers and trainers
- Humane Societies, SPCA’s, and animal shelters with veterinary or kennel exposures
If you have a client running a mobile unit with customized vehicles, or a nonprofit shelter that operates both veterinary and boarding services, this program can provide protections that are difficult to find elsewhere.
Coverage Highlights
Safehold’s Veterinary & Animal Services Insurance program offers comprehensive, practice-tailored coverages designed for the unique risks of animal-care businesses:
- Business Owners’ Policy (BOP): Property, general liability, business interruption, employee dishonesty, and animal damage to property.
- Professional Liability: Included for veterinarians, technicians, interns, groomers, volunteers, and other staff. Features:
- No “hammer” clause
- Consent-to-settle provision
- Access to expert witness support
- Coverage across the US (including territories), Puerto Rico, and Canada
- License Defense: Up to $100,000 annually for legal and expert support.
- Animal Bailee: Covers injury, death, or escape of animals in care — including transit — with no per-animal sublimit. Limits start at $50,000 with higher options available.
Additional Coverage Options
- Workers’ Compensation: Includes post-exposure rabies treatment and can extend to volunteers in veterinary hospitals.
- Business Auto: Enhancements and specialized limits for mobile veterinary vehicles.
- Umbrella Liability and Employment Practices Liability
- Directors & Officers Liability and Cyber Liability
- Natural Disaster Protection: Flood, earthquake, landslide
- Builder’s Risk and Special Events Liability
Underwriting Notes and Minimum Premiums
Underwriting is account-specific. Safehold’s underwriters work with agents to structure the right combination of coverages and limits for each account. Minimum premiums vary by line of business and selected coverage; speak with underwriting for program-specific minimums and appetite guidance.
Appetite and Typical Restrictions
The program favors veterinary-focused operations and animal service providers that maintain standard protocols for patient handling, controlled environments for kennels/boarding, and documented training programs for staff. High-hazard operations involving unproven exotic species, large-scale animal rescue without formal intake/medical protocols, or accounts with significant prior loss activity may require additional review or be outside appetite.
Territories and Availability
This program is available in most states, including AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, DC, WV, WI, and WY. Most coverages are written on an admitted basis.
Why Work With Safehold Special Risk?
Safehold combines decades of underwriting experience with veterinary-led program management. Their team understands the daily exposures of clinics, mobile units, and shelters and provides practical loss-control resources such as monthly staff safety materials and onsite surveys. Claims are handled by personnel familiar with veterinary operations, improving responsiveness and resolution.
Example placements you might submit: a two-doctor mixed animal practice seeking combined BOP and professional liability with animal bailee limits for a small boarding operation; or a mobile veterinary service needing business auto enhancements and professional liability for technicians and the supervising veterinarian.
To learn more or discuss a specific account, visit the Safehold Special Risk company profile or go directly to the Veterinary Services Insurance program page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of accounts are a good fit for this program?
This program is ideal for veterinary clinics, mobile veterinary services, pet groomers, boarding and daycare facilities, and nonprofit animal shelters with veterinary or kennel operations.
Is professional liability coverage included for non-veterinarian staff?
Yes. The program includes professional liability coverage for veterinary technicians, interns, externs, groomers, trainers, and volunteers.
Are mobile veterinary units insurable under this program?
Yes. Special business auto coverage extensions are available for vehicles modified for mobile veterinary services.
Can this program provide coverage for nonprofit animal shelters?
Yes. Humane Societies, SPCA’s, and similar organizations with veterinary or kennel exposures are within the program’s appetite.
What is the geographic coverage area for this program?
The program is available in most states and provides coverage across the US, including territories, as well as Puerto Rico and Canada.
Need help placing an account? Connect with a market specialist.