As an eligible SAVMA member, have you received your $25,000 Complimentary Life Insurance Certificate?

$25,000 of life insurance coverage is available to eligible SAVMA members and paid by AVMA LIFE Trust, compliments of AVMA Insurance Services. It only takes a few minutes to register.

As a veterinary student and active SAVMA member, you may be eligible for $25,000 in complimentary life insurance coverage, courtesy of AVMA Insurance Services.^1,2 Designed by veterinarians, for veterinarians, this complimentary coverage can remain active throughout veterinary school and is designed to help ensure that your loved ones—parents, partner, children, and/or siblings—are financially protected in the event they need to rely on your coverage.

The cash payout from life insurance can go towards:

• Covering expensive end-of-life costs such as wake, funeral, and burial
• Supporting your parents during retirement or helping them to pay off any debts you might have, such as home mortgage or personal loans
• Caring for any children or dependents that you might have
• Donating to your favorite charity

Here are some of the most common questions we hear from your fellow SAVMA members:

SAVMA Members’ Most Common Questions about Complimentary Life Insurance provided through AVMA Insurance Services

1. Why do I need life insurance if I’m young, healthy, and child-free?
   Life insurance helps prevent your loved ones from having to cover your final expenses, take care of any debts you might leave behind, and ensure that your partner, parents, and/or siblings are financially supported. And for coverage beyond the complimentary SAVMA benefit, securing life insurance while you’re young and healthy allows you to take advantage of lower rates.
2. Can I be insured for the complimentary life coverage if I already have a life insurance policy (or my parents have secured one for me)? You are not limited to only one life insurance policy. In fact, through AVMA Insurance Services, you have access to up to $250,000 while you are in school, and higher limits after you graduate. This means that complimentary coverage through SAVMA and AVMA Insurance Services can be held in addition to other pre-existing life insurance coverages.
3. How much is the complimentary life insurance benefit? $25,000
4. Is $25k enough life insurance coverage during vet school, or do I need more? Everyone’s life insurance needs are different. While $25,000 can help with final expenses and immediate financial needs, you may want to consider additional coverage if you have a spouse or partner, children or other dependents, shared financial responsibilities, or others who depend on your income.
5. What happens to my student loans if I die during or after vet school? Federal loans are generally discharged upon the borrower’s death. Private student loans vary by lender and loan terms. Because private loan terms differ, borrowers and co-signers should review the specific loan agreement to understand what happens in the event of death.
6. What happens to my coverage when I graduate? Your complimentary student life insurance coverage ends when your SAVMA membership terminates, which for graduating students is the date of graduation. To remain eligible for coverage while you’re in veterinary school, be sure to keep your SAVMA membership current and in good standing. Visit our student page for details about all the coverages available to eligible student members now and upon graduation.
7. What happens if I don’t name a beneficiary? If you do not name a beneficiary, benefits will pay in accordance with policy provisions to your surviving relative(s) in the following order of survival: lawful married spouse; children equally; parents equally; brothers and sisters equally; or to the executor or administrator of your estate. To name a different beneficiary, a blank form will be provided with your Certificate of Insurance. Register now for your certificate.¹
8. Who can I name as my beneficiary(ies)? Can I name more than one person? Any individual aged 18 or older can be named as a beneficiary of your policy, and multiple beneficiaries can be listed. You can also name a charity, estate, or business as your beneficiary.
9. How do I update my beneficiaries? You can update your beneficiary designation at any time after you register. It’s a good idea to review your beneficiaries periodically and after major life changes to make sure your designation still reflects your wishes.

Haven’t registered yet? Please register to receive your $25,000 Complimentary Student Life Insurance Certificate,¹ review the terms and conditions of your coverage, and designate a new beneficiary.³

Important: Student members residing in Pennsylvania (PA), Virginia (VA), and Wisconsin (WI) are not insured until they complete the registration process.²

Register Now

Already registered? Log in to our self-service site to review your coverage information and beneficiary designation.

To learn more about the products and services available through AVMA Insurance Services, visit our website: avmainsuranceservices.com.

¹To qualify, you must be a SAVMA member in good standing; be between age 18 and 65; reside in and be a legal resident of the 50 United States, District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico; and be a full-time veterinary student at school designated by the policyholder. “Good standing” means that your SAVMA membership dues have been paid and are up to date by November 1 of the academic year (or April 1 in you are beginning in a winter term). If you do not meet all eligibility criteria, benefits will not be paid under this complimentary offer. This coverage ends at the earliest of your graduation or upon termination of your SAVMA membership.

²Student members residing in PA, VA, and WI must register to activate this insurance coverage by clicking “Register Now“. All others should register to receive your Certificate of Insurance, understand your coverage terms, and designate a beneficiary other than described in the certificate. For questions or to register by phone, please call (800) 228-7548.

³Benefits will pay in accordance with policy provisions to your surviving relative(s) in the following order of survival: lawful married spouse; children equally; parents equally; brothers and sisters equally; or to the executor or administrator of your estate. To name a different beneficiary, a blank form will be provided with your Certificate of Insurance.

Complimentary Student Life Insurance is underwritten by New York Life Insurance Company, New York, NY 10010, on Group Policy Form Series GMR et al., Policy No. G-14884-0. For details, including features, costs, eligibility, renewability, limitations, and exclusions can be found in the brochure or online. Certain state restrictions apply.

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 states. New York Life’s state of domicile is New York and NAIC ID # is 66915.

NYL- 9204610.1