Question 1

Why buy disability insurance for veterinarians?

Accepted Answer

Veterinary medicine involves repetitive motion, extended standing, and daily animal handling—activities that significantly increase the likelihood of musculoskeletal injuries and zoonotic exposure. Disability insurance for veterinarians replaces income when illness or injury prevents clinical work, allowing veterinarians to continue paying for mortgages, student loans, and practice expenses.

Without adequate disability income insurance, a temporary or permanent disability could lead to the sale or closure of a veterinary practice. Set for Life Insurance provides customized disability insurance for veterinary professionals through leading carriers including Guardian, Principal Financial Group (Nasdaq: PFG), MassMutual, Standard and Ameritas, ensuring comprehensive income protection.

Question 2

How does own-occupation disability insurance protect veterinary professionals?

Accepted Answer

Own-occupation disability insurance pays full benefits if a veterinarian cannot perform specialized clinical duties—even when able to work in a non-clinical capacity. For example, a DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) who develops carpal tunnel syndrome or a herniated disc may still teach or manage a clinic but would qualify for total benefits under true own-occupation definitions from carriers including Guardian, Principal, Ameritas, MassMutual or The Standard.

This own-occupation disability insurance for veterinarians recognizes the unique skill set of veterinary practitioners. Set for Life Insurance structures veterinarian disability insurance coverage to ensure that veterinarians receive benefits specific to their professional role, rather than being reclassified under “any occupation” terms common in group policies.

Question 3

What is residual disability coverage and why is it important for veterinarians?

Accepted Answer

Residual disability insurance provides partial income replacement when a veterinarian can work part-time or earns less due to limited capacity following an illness or injury. A 15–20% income loss typically triggers benefits, helping maintain financial stability during gradual recovery. Set for Life Insurance structures residual disability riders through carriers including Ameritas, The Standard, and MassMutual, Guardian and Principal ensuring consistent income support throughout rehabilitation.

This type of veterinary disability coverage stabilizes personal income and supports ongoing practice operations—critical for maintaining veterinary practice continuity.

Question 4

Do female veterinarians pay higher disability insurance premiums?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Actuarial data shows that female veterinarians face higher disability insurance rates due to greater statistical incidence of disability claims.

Question 5

Do rates vary for veterinarians based on specialty?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Rates are more expensive for large animal, equine and zoological veterinarians. Veterinarians who specialize in surgery may also pay a higher premium.

Question 6

How long do disability insurance benefits last for veterinarians?

Accepted Answer

Long-term disability insurance for veterinarians typically provides benefits until age 65 or 67, ensuring income protection through the end of a veterinary career. Some veterinarians choose benefit periods extending to age 70 to align with practice ownership or academic tenure obligations. Set for Life Insurance advises selecting a benefit duration consistent with the DVM’s financial plan, student loan payoff timeline, or anticipated retirement age. With long-term disability insurance for veterinarians, shorter benefit periods—two or five years—can lower premiums but may expose professionals to long-term income risk.

Exclusive Discounts for Veterinarians

Veterinarians can take advantage of special discounts on individual disability insurance through Set for Life Insurance. When three or more veterinarians from the same practice apply, they may qualify for multi-life discounts—reducing premiums while securing top-tier, own-occupation coverage. In addition, Set for Life has preferred pricing arrangements through select veterinary associations, allowing members to save even more. These discounts can make a significant difference in protecting your income and ensuring long-term financial security.

Question 7

Which insurance companies offer the best disability insurance for veterinarians?

Accepted Answer

Leading providers of disability insurance for veterinary professionals include Guardian, Principal Financial Group (Nasdaq: PFG), MassMutual (Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company), Ameritas, The Standard, and Lloyd’s, among others. These carriers maintain A+ or higher A.M. Best financial strength ratings and offer flexible definitions for own-occupation coverage.

Set for Life Insurance compares disability insurance for veterinarians side by side to identify optimal benefits, elimination periods, and cost structures tailored to each DVM’s individual needs.

Question 8

How does business overhead expense (BOE) insurance integrate with veterinarian disability insurance?

Accepted Answer

Business overhead expense coverage reimburses essential veterinary practice costs—such as rent, utilities, equipment leases, and staff wages—when a veterinarian becomes disabled. For DVMs owning clinics or animal hospitals, BOE riders are crucial for maintaining business solvency during extended medical recovery.

Set for Life Insurance integrates BOE riders with individual disability income insurance to ensure that both the veterinarian’s personal income and the practice’s fixed expenses remain protected.

Question 9

Can veterinarians with student loan obligations include loan protection in their disability policy?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Veterinarians often graduate with six-figure student loan balances. Disability insurance structured through Set for Life Insurance can include student loan riders that continue payments during a total disability period. This prevents loan delinquency, protects credit, and stabilizes personal finances.

Some carriers, including Guardian and Ameritas, offer specialized student loan protection riders covering up to $250,000 in educational debt repayment over a defined benefit term.

Question 10

How do elimination periods and benefit periods affect policy premiums for veterinarians?

Accepted Answer

The elimination period—the time between disability onset and the first benefit payment—directly impacts premium cost. Selecting a 90-day elimination period is most common among veterinarians, balancing affordability with adequate short-term savings.

In disability insurance for veterinarians, the benefit period determines how long payments continue after a claim is approved. Longer benefit periods—such as to age 65 or lifetime options—provide broader protection. Set for Life Insurance helps veterinarians structure elimination and benefit periods within their overall veterinarian disability insurance coverage to match their emergency fund and career length.

Question 11

What tax considerations apply to disability insurance for veterinarians?

Accepted Answer

The taxation of disability insurance for veterinarians depends on who pays the premium. If premiums are paid with after-tax dollars, veterinarian disability insurance benefits are received tax-free. However, if an employer pays premiums or they are deducted pre-tax, the benefits become taxable.

Veterinary practice owners often prefer paying premiums personally to ensure tax-free disability insurance for veterinarians during a period of disability. Set for Life Insurance assists veterinarians and practice administrators in coordinating tax-efficient disability insurance strategies with financial advisors.

Disability Insurance for Veterinarians

Veterinary-specific income protection

Disability insurance for DVMs