AVMA PLIT picks up the tab for veterinary students' liability insurance

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) PLIT, a group that provides malpractice insurance and other professional coverage for AVMA members, will cover the cost of veterinary students' liability insurance premiums starting Jan. 1, 2016.  The trust will also offer a higher level of license-defense coverage and roll out a monthly payment option at the same time.

AVMA PLIT will sponsor student liability insurance for members of the Student AVMA (SAVMA), according to an association release. Practitioners can refer their veterinary students to visit avmaplit.com/students for more information. Coverage will start the day after the application is received.

“The idea that someone can allege a veterinary student was negligent and committed malpractice during a clinical experience can be scary and overwhelming. We want students to know that they are not alone,” says Janet Donlin, DVM, CEO of AVMA PLIT, in the release.

In addition, veterinarians will be able to double their veterinary license defense limit to $100,000 for an additional $13 each year. “We've closely monitored the veterinary license defense claim trends and decided it would be prudent to add a higher limit option to make sure our policyholders are completely protected,” Donlin says.

Finally, members also will be able to pay their liability premiums monthly. “We added a new monthly payment option,” Donlin says. “Veterinarians will be able to pay their premium in twelve installments, with no extra fees.”