Updated: October 13, 2025

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Key Takeaways
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Annual costs for veterinary business insurance span $202 to $932 depending on your state, coverage needs and business specifics.

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Your veterinary practice's insurance costs depend on where you operate, past claims, types of animals treated and staff size.

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Cut insurance expenses by getting quotes from multiple business insurers, bundling coverage, raising deductibles and paying your premium annually.

How Much Is Insurance for a Veterinary Business?

We found average business insurance costs for veterinary companies for commonly needed coverage are as follows:

  • Essential Veterinary Insurance Bundle: $202 per month or $2,426 yearly for combined BOP, workers' comp and professional liability coverage.
  • General Liability Cost: $45 monthly or $539 annually
  • Workers' Comp Cost: $20 per month or $235 per year
  • Professional Liability Cost: $116 per month or $1,391 annually
  • Business Owner's Policy (BOP) Cost: $67 monthly or $799 annually
BOP$67$799
General Liability$45$539
Professional Liability (E&O)$116$1,391
Workers' Comp$20$235

Note: We based these rates on small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries, focusing on four coverage types: general liability, professional liability/errors and omissions (E&O), workers' comp and business owner's policy. Your actual rates will vary based on your specific business factors and location.

Get Matched to Cheap Veterinary Business Insurers

Select your industry and state to get a customized quote.

Industry
State

Veterinary Business Insurance Cost of General Liability Coverage by State

Your veterinary business insurance cost for general liability coverage varies by location. Alaska provides the best value at $39 monthly, well below the $45 national average. New York runs $52 monthly, giving you solid data for business budgeting decisions.

Alabama$44$528
Alaska$39$468
Arizona$43$510
Arkansas$43$518
California$50$602
Colorado$45$536
Connecticut$49$587
Delaware$48$579
Florida$49$585
Georgia$46$549
Hawaii$46$547
Idaho$43$512
Illinois$49$593
Indiana$44$527
Iowa$43$514
Kansas$44$525
Kentucky$42$500
Louisiana$49$590
Maine$39$468
Maryland$43$516
Massachusetts$47$567
Michigan$43$512
Minnesota$42$507
Mississippi$45$543
Missouri$44$533
Montana$45$538
Nebraska$43$511
Nevada$51$611
New Hampshire$45$537
New Jersey$51$612
New Mexico$45$544
New York$52$629
North Carolina$39$468
North Dakota$39$470
Ohio$42$501
Oklahoma$41$491
Oregon$42$502
Pennsylvania$52$624
Rhode Island$49$594
South Carolina$46$557
South Dakota$42$505
Tennessee$44$527
Texas$45$545
Utah$43$512
Vermont$43$519
Virginia$41$492
Washington$51$615
West Virginia$47$567
Wisconsin$44$530
Wyoming$42$499

Note: We based these general liability rates on veterinary businesses with two employees across different states. Your rates will vary based on your location and claims history.

Veterinary Business Insurance Cost of Workers’ Compensation Coverage by State

Your veterinary business will have different costs of workers' compensation insurance depending on location. Louisiana leads at $23 monthly, while North Carolina offers the most affordable option at $17. Our analysis reveals how state regulations and claim histories create these differences.

Alabama$19
Alaska$18
Arizona$19
Arkansas$19
California$22
Colorado$19
Connecticut$21
Delaware$21
Florida$21
Georgia$20
Hawaii$21
Idaho$18
Illinois$21
Indiana$19
Iowa$19
Kansas$19
Kentucky$18
Louisiana$23
Maine$17
Maryland$18
Massachusetts$21
Michigan$18
Minnesota$18
Mississippi$20
Missouri$19
Montana$19
Nebraska$19
Nevada$22
New Hampshire$20
New Jersey$22
New Mexico$20
New York$23
North Carolina$17
Oklahoma$18
Oregon$18
Pennsylvania$22
Rhode Island$22
South Carolina$20
South Dakota$19
Tennessee$19
Texas$20
Utah$19
Vermont$19
Virginia$18
West Virginia$21
Wisconsin$19

Note: We based these workers' comp rates on veterinary businesses with two employees across different states. Your workers' comp requirements and costs will vary by state since each has different regulations.

Veterinary Business Insurance Cost of Professional Liability Coverage by State

Your professional liability cost varies by state. Nationwide, this coverage averages $116 monthly. Maine offers the most affordable rates at $99 monthly, while New York commands the highest premiums at $135 monthly.

Note: We based these professional liability rates on veterinary businesses with two employees across different states. Your actual rates will depend on your services offered and location.

Veterinary Business Insurance Cost of BOP Coverage by State

Veterinary business insurance costs vary by state, with business owner's policy (BOP) coverage showing the biggest price differences. BOP insurance cost ranges from $58 monthly in North Dakota to $78 in New York for the same coverage level.

Alabama$65
Alaska$58
Arizona$64
Arkansas$64
California$75
Colorado$67
Connecticut$72
Delaware$69
Florida$74
Georgia$67
Hawaii$68
Idaho$64
Illinois$72
Indiana$66
Iowa$65
Kansas$64
Kentucky$61
Louisiana$73
Maine$58
Maryland$64
Massachusetts$70
Michigan$64
Minnesota$63
Mississippi$67
Missouri$66
Montana$66
Nebraska$62
Nevada$75
New Hampshire$67
New Jersey$74
New Mexico$68
New York$78
North Carolina$58
North Dakota$58
Ohio$64
Oklahoma$61
Oregon$63
Pennsylvania$77
Rhode Island$73
South Carolina$69
South Dakota$61
Tennessee$65
Texas$66
Utah$64
Vermont$64
Virginia$61
Washington$75
West Virginia$70
Wisconsin$66
Wyoming$61

Note: We based these BOP rates on veterinary businesses with two employees across different states. Your actual rates will vary based on your business size, location, and coverage needs.

Veterinary Business Insurance Cost by Provider

Veterinary business insurance costs vary widely by provider, ranging from $50 to $74 monthly. These price differences reflect each insurer's market focus and risk appetite, which shifts based on profitability and coverage expansion opportunities.

Chubb$73$873
Coverdash$63$753
Hiscox$63$758
NEXT Insurance$63$759
Nationwide$74$889
Progressive Commercial$59$713
Simply Business$65$774
The Hartford$55$655
Thimble$63$760
biBERK$50$597

Veterinary Business Insurance Cost Factors

Veterinary business insurance costs depend on multiple factors that insurers review when determining your policy rates:

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    Geographic location

    Practice location influences costs through regional pet ownership rates and veterinary malpractice claim frequency. Urban areas with higher cost of living and more litigious environments see steeper professional liability premiums than rural communities.

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    Safety record and claims history

    Malpractice allegations from surgical complications or misdiagnoses create lasting insurance implications. Even one claim involving a beloved pet's death or permanent injury can follow your practice and affect renewal pricing for several years.

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    Types of practice

    Emergency clinics, specialty surgery practices or exotic animal hospitals have dramatically elevated malpractice exposure due to case complexity and higher stakes.

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    Animal handling risks

    Veterinary staff handle animals that bite, scratch and kick while also facing needle sticks and chemical exposure. Each veterinarian, vet tech and kennel worker increases your workers' comp obligations, with rates reflecting the unique hazards of animal care.

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    Veterinary services offered

    Wellness visits and basic procedures keep liability exposure contained. Practices performing orthopedic surgery, oncology treatment or emergency critical care handle more complex cases where outcomes are uncertain and malpractice claims more likely.

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    Business size and revenue

    Patient volume reflects your total exposure to potential claims and complications. Single-veterinarian clinics seeing 20 appointments daily for $300,000 annually operate very differently than multi-doctor hospitals treating 100+ patients and billing $1.2 million.

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    Coverage limits

    Professional liability protects against malpractice allegations while general liability covers premises incidents. Most veterinarians carry $1 million in each, though practices offering advanced procedures or treating high-value animals often increase limits to $2 million.

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    Veterinary Equipment

    Surgical suites, diagnostic imaging machines and anesthesia equipment require property coverage. Full-service hospitals with CT scanners, digital radiography and in-house laboratories carry substantially more equipment value than mobile or house-call practices.

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    Certification

    Board certifications in specialties like surgery or internal medicine demonstrate advanced training. Newly graduated veterinarians pay higher malpractice rates initially, while experienced practitioners with specialty credentials and clean records often qualify for preferred pricing.

How to Get Cheap Veterinary Business Insurance

Reducing veterinary business insurance costs starts with smart planning and consistent management. Our guide outlines how to find affordable coverage for your vet clinic while improving your risk profile for long-term savings.

  1. 1
    Choose the right coverage types for your business

    Veterinary practices need professional liability (malpractice) for treatment errors and surgical complications, general liability for animal bites and client injuries, and property coverage for expensive diagnostic equipment like X-ray machines and ultrasound systems. 

    Add animal mortality coverage for deaths during care, cyber liability for electronic health records, employment practices liability for staff veterinarians and technicians, and business interruption to replace income during facility closures.

  2. 2
    Shop multiple insurance companies

    Veterinary premiums vary based on practice type. Small animal clinics pay differently than large animal, exotic, or emergency practices performing complex surgeries. Veterinary-focused insurers understand state board requirements, controlled substance regulations, and species-specific liability risks better than general carriers.

  3. 3
    Bundle your coverage types

    Combining professional liability, general liability, and property coverage saves 18% to 26% compared to purchasing separately. Many insurers offer veterinary packages that include animal mortality and cyber liability at reduced bundle rates.

  4. 4
    Increase your deductibles

    Higher property deductibles of $2,500 to $5,000 can reduce premiums by 19% to 27%, but consider that diagnostic and surgical equipment is expensive to replace. Keep professional liability deductibles moderate since defense costs for malpractice claims can reach $80,000 to $150,000 even with proper medical records and protocols.

  5. 5
    Pay annually instead of monthly

    Monthly installment plans add 6% to 11% in processing fees, which on a $14,000 veterinary policy costs $840 to $1,540 extra annually. Paying upfront eliminates these charges and earns 5% to 9% discounts from veterinary carriers.

  6. 6
    Review and adjust your coverage annually

    Review your policy whenever you add veterinarians, expand services like orthopedic surgery or dentistry, or purchase major equipment like CT scanners or laser therapy devices. 

    If you've obtained board certifications, implemented client communication protocols or enhanced medical record systems, these improvements can qualify for premium discounts.

Insurance for Veterinary Business Cost: Bottom Line

Veterinary business insurance runs from $17 to $78 each month, though your exact cost will vary based on your business size, claims history and where you operate. Shopping around for quotes, bundling coverages and paying annually can all help you secure lower rates.

Veterinary Insurance Cost: FAQ

Veterinary business owners commonly ask about insurance costs. We answered the most frequent questions below:

What is the cheapest type of veterinary business insurance?

How much does veterinary business insurance cost in expensive states like California and New York?

How much can I save by bundling my veterinary business insurance policies?

What factors make my veterinary business insurance more expensive?

Should I choose a $500 or $2,500 deductible for my veterinary business insurance?

How much does workers' compensation cost for veterinary businesses by state?

Is business owner's policy (BOP) worth the extra cost for veterinary companies?

How often should I shop around for veterinary business insurance quotes?

How We Determined Veterinary Business Insurance Costs

We collected veterinary business insurance quotes from companies across different states. For consistent comparisons, every quote used the same business setup:

  • Two employees (three people in total, including the owner)
  • $150,000 annual payroll
  • $300,000 annual revenue
  • Already insured status
  • $1 million per occurrence and $2 million total per year for all coverage except BOP, which includes the same limits plus $5,000 business property coverage

We used a typical small veterinary business profile requiring comprehensive coverage. We chose companies offering broad national coverage and online quote capabilities, prioritizing insurers that serve the veterinary industry.

About Mark Fitzpatrick


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Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.


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