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 benefit becomes.

APPLY ONLINE!

It has never been easier to apply for coverage through the AVMA LIFE Trust. Click the button below to obtain the coverage you can trust.

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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.

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

1Must be a SAVMA member in good standing to be eligible for benefits under VetSTEPPTM. Must also reside in, and be a resident of, the 50 United States, District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico; be between age 18 and 65; and be a full-time veterinary student at an AVMA accredited school within the U.S. "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. Coverage ends upon termination of SAVMA membership.

2As an exception, first-year veterinary students may enroll in AVMA VetSTEPPTM prior to joining SAVMA to take advantage of the rabies vaccination 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.


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

The Importance of Rabies Prophylaxis for Veterinary Students

Carrier

New York Life Insurance Company (NY, NY 10010) on Group Policy Form GMR. New York Life is licensed/authorized to transact business in all of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Canada. However, not all group plans it underwrites are available in all jurisdictions. Please check the applicable insurance brochures for current availability. New York Life’s state of domicile is New York, and NAIC ID # is 66915.

NYL-5684430