Aipedia: Veterinary surgeons and practices

Does veterinary PI cover AI mistakes?

Aipedia, by the Apex broking team · Last reviewed 2026-10-30

Veterinary PI usually responds to a negligence claim involving AI-assisted work in the same way as any other claim about a vet's care, but it depends on the policy terms. The RCVS requires cover for all professional activities and has said nothing specific about AI and insurance.

Part of: AI in veterinary practice

In short

Code 3.4 requires vets to ensure all their professional activities are covered by PI or equivalent arrangements. Chapter 17 puts the duty on each individual (17.17), warns that practice cover may not cover a locum (17.18), sets tests for equivalent arrangements (17.19) and advises seeking professional advice (17.20). There is no minimum limit or run-off requirement. The RCVS AI advice is silent on insurance. Because the vet chose the tool and stays responsible, a claim about AI-assisted care is usually a claim about the vet's care, but wordings vary, so check exclusions, locum cover and any technology terms.

What the RCVS requires

Paragraph 3.4 of the Code of Professional Conduct says vets "must ensure that all their professional activities are covered by professional indemnity insurance or equivalent arrangements". The Chapter 17 guidance explains how:

Paragraph	What it says	Why it matters for AI
17.17	The duty is on each individual vet	Relying on a practice policy is not enough if it does not cover your AI-assisted work
17.18	Practice cover may not cover a locum; cover beyond negligence may be needed	Locums using practice AI tools need to check their own position
17.19	Equivalent arrangements need sufficient, readily available funds, an established claims procedure and independent claims handling	Discretionary or mutual arrangements must still meet these tests
17.20	Seek professional advice on equivalence	Ask a broker or adviser if unsure

The RCVS does not set a minimum limit of indemnity and does not state a run-off requirement.

How AI-assisted work fits

The RCVS AI advice says professional and clinical decisions must not be wholly delegated to AI, and that vets are responsible for choosing to use a tool. That framing matters for insurance. A claim that a vet missed a fracture, gave a wrong dose or failed to advise urgent attendance is usually a claim about the vet's professional service, whether or not AI was involved. Veterinary PI is usually written around that service, so it may respond in the usual way, subject to the policy terms.

The advice says nothing about liability or insurance, and the RCVS has not published a statement on AI and indemnity. Insurers and indemnity providers may add AI terms in future, so read renewal documents carefully.

Where gaps can appear

Gaps are most likely in these areas:

Locums: a locum relying on a practice's AI scribe, analyser or dose tool may not be covered by the practice policy (17.18).
Activities: teleconsults, website chatbots and advice to non-clients may fall outside how the policy defines the insured business.
Exclusions: some policies may exclude data, cyber or technology liabilities, which can affect claims about client data used by AI tools.
Regulatory defence: cover for RCVS proceedings varies.
Limits: with no minimum set, herd or high-value equine work may need a higher limit.
Supplier faults: a defect in the tool itself is usually a matter for the supplier contract, not the PI policy.

See AI exclusions in policies and PI for locum professionals.

What can go wrong

Illustrative scenario: a locum covers a week at a practice that uses an AI scribe and an in-house analyser. A case seen that week leads to a claim. The practice policy covers employees but not the locum, and the locum had assumed the practice cover applied. The locum faces the claim without arranging their own cover, which Code 3.4 and 17.17 placed on them personally.

Records, retention and the policy

The revised Chapter 13 says records should be kept "for as long as is necessary, taking into account legal and regulatory responsibilities", and the Standards Committee papers noted PI policy terms as one reason. If AI drafts, audio or analyser data are deleted quickly, the evidence needed to defend a claim may be gone. Check what your policy expects. What to document about AI use sets out the records insurers may find helpful.

What to check in your wording

Questions to ask of your wording include:

Does the definition of professional services include all your AI-assisted activities, including remote work?
Are there exclusions for software, technology, data or cyber events?
Are locums, nurses and other staff covered, and on what basis?
Are regulatory defence costs included?
Is the limit right for your highest-value work?
Must you tell the insurer about new AI tools?

For cost context see what veterinary practice PI costs. Related: delegating AI tasks, the RCVS AI advice and the AI in veterinary practice hub.

How Apex helps

Apex arranges PI for vets, practices and locums. A broker reviews your wording against the AI tools you use and the work you do, and explains where cover may fall short.

Sources

Frequently asked

Does the RCVS require AI cover specifically?

No. Code 3.4 requires cover for all professional activities, which includes AI-assisted work, but there is no AI-specific requirement and the RCVS AI advice does not mention insurance.

Is a locum covered by the practice policy?

Not necessarily. Chapter 17.18 warns that practice cover may not cover a locum. The duty to have cover sits with each individual under 17.17, so locums should confirm their position before relying on practice systems.

What are equivalent arrangements?

Alternatives to an insurance policy. Under 17.19 they must have sufficient, readily available funds, an established claims procedure and independent claims handling. Chapter 17.20 advises seeking professional advice on whether an arrangement qualifies.

Will my insurer ask about AI?

Some may, at proposal or renewal, and wordings may change over time. Answer questions accurately and tell your insurer or provider about significant changes in how you work, as your policy requires.

Check your PI covers how you use AI

Tell us about your firm and the work you do. A broker will review how your current PI treats AI-assisted work, or arrange new cover. No fee for a quote. Or call 0117 325 0027.

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Apex Insurance Brokers Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales, company number 07014570. This page is general information about how AI is used in the profession and how insurance may respond. It is not legal, regulatory or insurance advice on your circumstances, and it does not guarantee that cover will be available or on what terms.