Becoming a veterinarian or studying to become one is a great achievement. Yet, working with animals could come with risks, and job-related injuries may affect your career. Disability insurance for veterinarians aids in taking care of bills and expenses in such cases. Here are reasons why you should get veterinarian disability insurance:
Workplace Injuries
When animals are stressed or frightened, handling animals could be risky. Scared animals often kick, scratch, or bite in an attempt to escape, potentially harming a vet. Here are some of the most common causes of harm for a veterinarian:
1. Animal Imposed Harm
An animal’s defensive mechanisms can cause harm to a veterinarian. Open wounds from bites or scratches or potentially broken bones from an interaction with a large animal could be costly to treat. Working with large animals may also cause significant muscle strain, leading to long-term inflammation. Disability insurance for veterinarians helps cover your medical costs and recovery requirements in the case of an injury.
2. Chemical Exposure
Veterinarians use toxic chemicals and drugs, such as pesticides and anesthetic gas, when working with animals. Exposure to these chemicals can cause burns, respiratory problems, skin conditions, or even poisoning. Some vets use radiation when treating cancer in animals. Over time, radiation exposure can be harmful to your personal health.
3. Strenuous Disabilities
Most veterinarians experience muscle strain during work. Lifting heavy animals onto exam tables can strain the arms and back, potentially leading to long-term muscle damage if not properly treated. A vet’s work often requires you to stand for long hours, putting a lot of pressure on the knees and ankles. Muscle or joint strain may limit a vet’s ability to perform well on the job after many years. Veterinary disability insurance can help cover the financial complications that may arise when workplace conditions arise due to changes in health.
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High Student Debt and Income Needs
Training as a veterinarian is often a long-term financial commitment, and students might have high student debts. When working with an experienced veterinary insurance agency, students can receive assistance with negotiating benefits into an upcoming vet contract or determining which student loan repayment plan is best for them. Addressing debt concerns as soon as students enter the field sets them up for success, and disability insurance covers them when unexpected financial burdens arise.
Emotional Health Disability
Veterinarians may face emotional fatigue when treating animals. Research shows that many veterinarians become compassion-weary, stressed, and burnt out. A common cause of emotional distress for vets is euthanasia. When a pet has a non-treatable condition, either due to progressed disease, irreparable breakages, or owners cannot cover treatment costs, a vet might have to end the animal’s life. Drug-assisted deaths could have a psychological impact on veterinarians, potentially leading to mental health disabilities over time. Veterinary disability insurance can help cover mental health treatment options.
Disability Insurance Add-ons
Insurance companies often include disability add-ons to standard policies for veterinarians. As a veterinarian, a student loan add-on helps you pay your student loan even after losing your job due to disability. A future increase add-on allows you to add more policies without repeating the application process. Check with an insurance provider to see if they have add-ons available for your veterinarian specialty.
Seek Disability Insurance for Veterinarians
Though many veterinarian employment opportunities offer work-related insurance, personal veterinary disability insurance adds lifetime peace of mind. Vet work can be risky, but with foresight, your health and finances will be protected for the duration of your career and beyond. To apply for disability insurance for veterinarians, talk to an experienced provider today.
