Future-Proof Your Career: Why Veterinary Students Should Invest in Disability Insurance

As a veterinary student, preparing for a future in veterinary medicine involves many critical decisions. One often overlooked but crucial aspect is disability insurance. Here’s how investing in disability insurance now can protect the value of your education.

1. High Risk of Disability

The risk of becoming disabled for 90 days or longer before the age of 65 is 40%. For fourth-year students completing large or mixed animal rotations that risk may even be higher. Having disability insurance can offer essential protection against unexpected circumstances that may impact your ability to work.

2. Protecting Your Greatest Asset

As a highly educated and skilled professional, your ability to practice veterinary medicine is one of your greatest assets. A student who graduates at age 30-year-old with a starting salary of $100,000, has a lifetime earning of approximately $3.68 million over 30 years. Without disability insurance, this valuable asset could be at risk if you become unable to work due to illness or injury.

3. Covering Ongoing Personal Expenses

Personal expenses —such as mortgage, car payments, and loans—continue regardless of your ability to practice veterinary medicine. Individual disability insurance provides a tax-free monthly benefit to help cover these basic expenses, ensuring financial stability during challenging times.

4. Managing Student Debt

The journey to becoming a DVM involves a significant financial investment. After 7 to 8 years of post-secondary education, the average Canadian veterinarian graduates with approximately $65,000 in student debt. Disability insurance can help manage risk of student debt by providing income protection in case of disability.

5. Early Investment Benefits

Aquiring disability insurance while still a student can offer advantages such as lifetime discounts of 5% to 15%, depending on your specialty, and up to 5 months of free coverage depending on the insurance carrier. Getting coverage now ensures you benefit from lower premiums and comprehensive coverage options as you transition into your professional career.

Ready to Protect Your Future?

Investing in disability insurance is a proactive step toward safeguarding your career and financial well-being. Schedule a consultation with one of our licensed insurance experts to explore your options and secure the right disability insurance plan for you.

Contact us today to learn more and start protecting your future.