CVMA Insurance Program
Working with Veterinary Clinics
At Western Financial Group, we believe understanding your industry needs is essential to providing insurance solutions businesses can trust. In partnership with the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), we have developed the CVMA Insurance Program, which provides various insurance options that are tailored to CVMA members.
Why the CVMA Insurance Program?
The CVMA Insurance Program works with your business to provide superior coverage, tailored to your business and manage your risk. Our program offers complete in-house services, including specialized claims and risk management. This innovative approach provides efficient and responsive service, saving you time and money.
The CVMA Insurance Program operates under a “Protected Self-Insurance”(PSI) structure, which enables participating clients to acquire a sense of ownership of their insurance program. Under the PSI structure a portion of premiums are allocated to a “Protected Self-Insurance” fund.
This fund allows the unique opportunity for premium to be returned to members when surpluses are built due to years with low claims. Under a traditional insurance program, insurers would retain these funds as underwriting profit. One of our key goals as program administrator is to provide resources to support loss prevention, which ultimately aid in providing long-term rate stability or returns of premium.
The CVMA Insurance Program works with your business to provide an insurance program that provides industry-leading coverage and manages your risk. Our program offers complete in-house services, including claims and risk management services.
- Tailored commercial insurance with coverage options available for clinics and locums.
- Flexible employee benefits plans that provide life, health and dental coverage options.
- Personal insurance coverage for CVMA members that includes life & long-term disability coverages.
Commercial Insurance
Coverage for the Veterinary Industry
Working in partnership with the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, the CVMA Insurance Program offers commercial insurance coverage options specific to the veterinary industry's needs. The program offers coverage options such as:
PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY
Professional Liability Insurance will shield your assets, covering errors, omissions or negligent acts, which may arise from your routine or usual duties as a veterinarian. Coverage is available for both practices and individual locum policies.
LEGAL EXPENSE COVERAGE
Legal Expense Insurance covers expenses that may arise from an unforeseen legal matter, such as employment disputes, allegations of malpractice, or if you need to defend your license in front of a disciplinary board.
CYBER LIABILITY
Helping you minimize the impact of a cyber attack with crisis management, credit monitoring and data recovery service options.
Veterinary Technologists & Technicians
The Registered Veterinary Technologists and Technicians of Canada (RVTTC) has partnered with the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), to provide its members with access to
professional liability coverage through the CVMA Insurance Program.
As a Registered Veterinary Technologist/Technician working as a locum, Professional Liability Insurance will shield your assets and help maintain your good reputation through the defence of allegations of wrongdoing. This insurance covers errors, omissions or negligent acts, which may arise from your routine or usual duties as a Registered Veterinary Technologist/Technician. The protection also covers allegations and legal costs to defend a civil suit. Professional Liability Insurance coverage will offer you peace of mind by ensuring that adequate funds are available should they be required.
Program Advantages:
- The Program insures over 3,000 CVMA members and member clinics across Canada.
- Professional Liability coverage limits of either $1,000,000 or $2,000,000 are available.
- Legal Expense Coverage for expenses arising from any complaint, disciplinary hearing or review of license.
- The Program is administered by Western Financial Group, the largest provider of association insurance programs in Canada.
- Two decades of experience in partnering with the veterinary industry, and we are committed to working with you.
Access Your Policy
Login to review your policy.
Program Advantages
INDUSTRY LEADING COVERAGE
Coverage type and limits that are tailored to the industry.
LONG-TERM RATE STABILITY
Stability is generated by spreading claims over the entire pool of participating CVMA members.
PROGRAM FLEXIBILITY
CVMA members can tailor their policy with various coverage options to choose from.
DEDICATED SERVICE
Each member has a dedicated Commercial Insurance Advisor to assist them.
Need to Make a Claim?
Do you know about our Risk Management Services?
Our risk management team collaborates with you to assess your business and identify areas for improvement.
Learn more about our Risk Management Services.
Commercial Sales & Service
To better serve our clients, we have a dedicated team of specialists devoted to providing exemplary service to CVMA Insurance Program members.
Toll Free: (800) 665-8990
Employee Benefits
The CVMA Employee Benefits Program is a nationwide beneftis program, providing life, health and dental plans to over 1,600 independent Canadian businesses.
Our expert in-house insurance team provides the product and all related services, such as day-to-day administration, analytical support and ongoing service support. With all these services under one roof, the CVMA Employee Benefits Program saves you time and money while providing your employees with the coverage they need.
Fast. Convenient. Paperless.
OUR ONLINE ADMINISTRATION SERVICE PROVIDES MEMBERS
24/7 ACCESS TO THEIR EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PLAN. MAKING IT EASIER TO:
Administration Forms
Business owners and designated plan administrators can access important information about their benefits coverage and manage the day-to-day administration of their benefits plan in their own time! It is like having a benefits software that comes for free with your TotalGuard plan. Please give us a call at 800-665-8990.
- Enrolling New Hires
- Edit and Update Information Instantly
- Enrolling and Terminating Dependents
- Employee Salary Changes
- Terminating Employees
- Access Invoices
Need to Make a Claim?
Convenient access to your employee benefits through GreenShield Canada online portal.
Send completed claims forms directly to GreenShield Canada by email.
Member Advantages
INDUSTRY LEADING COVERAGE
Coverage type and limits that are tailored to the industry.
LONG-TERM RATE STABILITY
Stability is generated by spreading claims over the entire pool of participants.
PAY-DIRECT DRUG/DENTAL CARD
Pay-direct drug cards that cover prescription drugs and professional services electronically at the point of sale.
PROGRAM FLEXIBILITY
Member organizations have many different coverage options to choose from.
ONLINE ADMINISTRATION
Plan sponsors can conveniently perform many administrative functions online.
DEDICATED SERVICE
Each member will have a dedicated customer service representative to assist them.
NEW
CVMA Customized Health & Dental Insurance Program
The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association CVMA Customized Health & Dental Insurance Program provides structured support designed specifically for veterinarians who are locums, independent contractors, or clinic owners lacking traditional group benefits.
Developed in partnership with the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association CVMA, this program provides guaranteed, predictable pricing for comprehensive health and dental plans, with a strong focus on mental wellness through dedicated counseling and Employee Assistance Program EAP support.
Key Coverages:
- $750 psychological coverage
- 15 hours EAP with counselling
- Fertility Drug coverage
- Single or Family coverage
- 24/7 Virtual Medical Healthcare
Why it Matters:
- Stable CVMA Pool Pricing
- Simple Enrollment
- No medical requirements
- Flexible plan options
- 3 Health & 3 Dental Options
How Enrollment Works:
- Choose Health option + Dental option
- Annual June Renewals for Price Stability
- Monthly or Annual Billing (Save 2%)
- Adjust coverage every 2 years
- Exceptions apply only for lifestyle events
Protect your well-being with flexible, customizable coverage designed for the unique demands of the veterinary profession. Choose from single or family coverage options for accessible, dependable protection that supports both your personal and professional life.
FAQ's About CVMA Customized Health & Dental Insurance
This is a new, flexible insurance program created exclusively for CVMA members. It allows veterinarians to build personalized health and dental coverage tailored to their individual needs, something not previously available to individual vets in Canada.
Many veterinarians work as contractors, locums, or individual practitioners and are not eligible for traditional group benefit plans. This creates a significant gap in their financial and wellness protection. The CVMA partnered with Western to design individual coverage options that meet the needs of everyday vets and their families.
- Because you don't have access to a traditional group benefits plan.
- You gain access to affordable, predictable rates through the CVMA partnership.
- You can choose the level of coverage that matches your personal situation.
- You receive extensive mental health coverage, even in the lowest-cost option.
- It’s simple and transparent, no underwriting, no hidden fees, no surprises.
- You get the convenience of a turnkey solution built specifically for veterinarians.
Because you're a CVMA member:
- You gain access to exclusive plans not available to the general public.
- You benefit from preferred pricing and rate protection through the pool.
- You get coverage designed around the realities of veterinary work and wellness needs.
- You can build a custom combination of Health Option 1/2/3 and Dental Option 1/2/3.
- It is the first CVMA offering for health and dental insurance for individuals.
- It includes a 15-hour EAP, access to industry experts, and guaranteed mental health coverage.
- There is no underwriting, your price is your price.
- It is built specifically for veterinarians, not generic individual insurance consumers.
You can fully customize your coverage:
- 3 Health Options (Option 1, 2, 3)
- 3 Dental Options (Option 1, 2, 3)
You choose one of each, depending on your needs and budget. Both single and family coverage are available.
Yes, and this is a major highlight of the program.
All health options include:
- $750 psychological coverage
- A built-in Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering short-term counselling and expert support
This ensures that mental health support is accessible, no matter which tier you choose.
No. There are no medical questions, no assessments, and no underwriting.
Your coverage and pricing are guaranteed based on your chosen plan.
To keep pricing stable and prevent frequent switching between tiers, this program uses a rolling 2-year change window.
- Once enrolled, you may adjust your coverage every two years.
- Exceptions apply only for lifestyle events (marriage, birth/adoption of a child).
- All members may next change coverage in June 2028, regardless of original sign-up date.
- Rates renew once per year, every June.
- Your coverage stays predictable and aligned with TotalGuard’s established renewal cycle.
- The CVMA program will be part of the TotalGuard pool, helping stabilize long-term pricing.
You may choose from monthly or annual. However, annual:
- Saves approximately 2%
- Ideal for members who prefer a single, once-a-year payment
Payments are processed through direct debit (no credit cards).
No, the program is entirely opt-in. If you’d like to learn more about the program, please submit a request to explore enrollment options.
