AVMA VetSTEPPTM
The Veterinary Student Essential Protection Package

Veterinary school is a big investment—of time, energy, and money. It's important to do all you can to protect it. Eligible SAVMA members1 now have access to AVMA VetSTEPPTM, the new Veterinary Student Essential Protection Package, to help support you and your family as you focus on your education.

This package includes essential coverage for veterinary students starting at $25 per month and is available in three tiers—Bronze, Silver, and Gold—to fit your individual needs and budget:

  • Rabies Prophylaxis Benefits: Receive up to $800 to help offset the cost of rabies shots and/or titers, which may be required by your veterinary school.
  • Disability Income Insurance: Receive monthly benefits up to $1,750 if a covered disabling illness or injury leaves you unable to attend veterinary school full-time.
  • Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance: Receive up to $25,000 if a covered injury, illness, or pregnancy causes you to miss two consecutive weeks of veterinary school classes, and you are required to withdraw from veterinary school for the balance of that academic year.
  • Optional Student Loan Lump-Sum Benefit: Select from three coverage options to help pay off outstanding student loans if you suffer a covered permanent total disability (defined in the brochure). Add any option to any of the base tier packages to create a package that’s right for you! What’s more, this optional benefit grows as your student loans increase; the longer you are insured, the larger the payout becomes.

AVMA VetSTEPPTM is Guaranteed Acceptance—no medical questions or doctor visits needed—during Open Enrollment. For incoming, first-year students2, Open Enrollment begins 60 days before the first day of class and ends 45 days after the first day. For returning students, Open Enrollment runs from the first day of class through day 45.

Missed Open Enrollment? No problem! You can apply for AVMA VetSTEPPTM outside the Open Enrollment period with Simplified Underwriting. All you need to do is answer a few health questions.


Choose Your Package

Gold Silver Bronze
Rabies Prophylaxis Benefit
     Maximum benefit while insured: $800 $700 $600
     Per vaccine maximum: $300 $250 $200
     Per titer maximum: $150 $150 $100
Disability Income Insurance3, 4
     Monthly benefit: $1,750 $1,500 $1,000
Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance $25,000 $20,000 $15,000
Total Monthly Premium $38.95 $33.20 $25.00


Add an Optional Benefit

Add any option to any base tier package for customized protection.

Student Loan Disability Lump-Sum Benefit5 Option 1 Option 2 Option 3
Maximum benefit6:
     Year 1: $75,000 $50,000 $30,000
     Year 2: $100,000 $75,000 $50,000
     Year 3: $125,000 $100,000 $75,000
     Year 4+: $150,000 $125,000 $100,000
Total Additional Monthly Cost $16.25 $13.75 $9.50

For additional details on each component of AVMA VetSTEPPTM, including coverage options, eligibility, renewability, features, costs, exclusions, and limitations, refer to the brochure.

Resources for Ordering a Rabies Titer

There are two laboratories in the U.S. that perform the RFFIT for human rabies serology testing. Click on the links below for more information, including how to order a rabies titer.

Kansas State University

Atlanta Health Associates

Rabies Serology Information – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Information

Read on to see if this coverage is right for you.

Student Basic Protection Package Brochure

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Get a Quote

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Applications

Download and mail a completed application.

Student Member Application

forms

Accidental Death Claim Form

Life Insurance Beneficiary Form

Dismemberment Claim Form

Disability Claim Form

Waiver of Premium Claim Form

Rabies Prophylaxis Claim Form

What to Expect During Underwriting

Carrier

Underwritten by New York Life Insurance Company (NY, NY 10010) on Group Policy Form GMR.

1Must be a SAVMA member in good standing to be eligible for benefits under VetSTEPPTM. Must also be a resident of the 50 United States, District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico and be: (1) at least age 18 but less than age 65, and (2) a full-time veterinary student at an AVMA accredited school. "Good standing" means that your SAVMA membership dues have been paid and are up do date by November 1 of the academic year (or April 1 if the student is beginning in a Winter term). If membership dues are not up to date no benefits would be payable.

2As an exception, first-year veterinary students may enroll in AVMA VetSTEPPTM prior to joining SAVMA to take advantage of the rabies shots and/or titers, which may be required by your veterinary school in advance of arriving. Once you arrive on campus, you must join SAVMA for benefits to be paid. Proof of acceptance to attend veterinary school will be required with your VetSTEPPTM enrollment form.

3Subject to 30-day waiting period. However, if you suffer a Covered Disability (later defined) as a result of organ donation, the waiting period will be 0 days for that Covered Disability.

4The Maximum Benefit Period is five years. The Maximum Benefit Period for all Covered Disabilities of an insured student member which are due to or related to a mental disorder and/or chemical dependency while such person is insured under the policy, which insurance has been continuous or interrupted, cannot exceed the lesser of: (a) 24 months or (b) the Maximum Benefit Period for a Covered Total Disability. This limitation does not apply to any period during which such person is institutionalized.

5Subject to a six-month waiting period.

6The Lump-Sum Benefit is the lesser of the outstanding student loan or the amount indicated per option and year(s) insured.

NYL-5684430