How do I apply to renew my VDS policy?

Continuity of cover

To ensure continuity of cover into 2024 and qualify for any Mutual Bonus Discount for which you are eligible, it is important that you apply to renew your policy before Sunday 31 December 2023. If you apply after this date, a new Proposal Form may be issued and any entitlement to our loyalty discount or mutual bonus may be lost. You would also lose continuity of cover for any future civil claims. Find out more about cancelling or not renewing your VDS PI Policy. 

Invoice payment

You can apply to renew your policy any time from 01 November to 31 December 2023 but you don’t need to make payment for the renewal premium until Sunday 31 December 2023 at the latest.

If you pay by Direct Debit and wish to continue this method in 2024, please remember that you will have to set up a new mandate for 2024 by selecting this option online or returning a hard-copy Direct Debit mandate form. Your Direct Debit arrangement does not automatically roll over into the next year, and is taken for the first ten months of each year, January to October only (any changes you make after the last Direct Debit payment has been made in October will need to be paid for or refunded outside the Direct Debit process).

Three simple steps to apply to renew online:

❶ Log in to My VDS

Super users can log in to their VDS account to renew, manage and make arrangements to pay for their practice's VDS cover online until midnight on Sunday 31 December 2023.

If you have not set up an online account, you can register using your member number and practice ID number. You will then be asked to set up a username and password. For existing accounts, you will need your email address and password to log in.

If you forget your password, you can recover it using the Forgotten Password facility, or, if you haven't received the password reset email within 10 minutes (check your junk folder!), you can contact our Membership department on +44 (0) 1565 652737 or by email at admin@thevds.co.uk.

❷ Choose 'Renew Cover for 2024'

Once logged in, click on the 'Renew Cover for 2024' tab. You can manage personnel changes for 2024 as part of the renewal process. If you need to update personnel for 2023, do this before starting the renewal, using the 'Manage 2023 Personnel' tab.

You can access and read your policy documents from the Helpful Documents section on the renewal application pages.

❸ Complete the 7-step renewal process

Follow the 7-stage application, which includes adding, amending or removing vets and RVNs - to add a new vet or RVN, you will need their RCVS or VCI number. The application also asks you to review and confirm Indemnity Limits for each Risk Group and provide details of any claims or potential claims not previously notified to the VDS.

Once you reach the summary page and you have checked that the details are correct and reflect your working arrangements for 2024, tick the declaration, confirm your job title and click 'Submit'. Your application to renew your cover is complete. Once you application is accepted, you can choose how you want to pay for your cover.

Continuity of cover

To ensure continuity of cover into 2024, apply to renew your policy before Sunday 31 December 2023. If you apply after this date, a new Proposal Form may be issued, and you may have a gap in cover. 

Invoice Payment

You can apply to renew your policy any time from 01 November to 31 December 2023, but you don't need to make the payment for the renewal premium until Sunday 31 December 2023 at the latest. 

Three simple steps to apply to renew:

❶ Log in to My VDS

You can apply to renew your cover for your 2024 VDS Policy for Representation Costs in Criminal and Disciplinary Proceedings online until midnight on Sunday 31 December 2023. You can start your application to renew quickly and simply by logging into your VDS account.

If you haven't set up an online account, you can register using your member number and practice ID number. You will then be asked to set up a username and password. For existing accounts, you will need your email address and password to log in.

If you forget your password, use the Forgotten Password facility, or, if you haven't received the password reset email within 10 minutes (check your junk folder!), you can contact our Membership department on +44 (0) 1565 652737 or by email at admin@thevds.co.uk.

❷ Choose 'Renew Cover for 2024'

Once logged in, click on the 'Renew Cover for 2024' tab. You can access and read your policy documents from the Helpful Documents section on the renewal application pages.

❸ Complete the 4-step renewal process

Follow the 4-stage online application process which includes reviewing and amending your information as needed, providing details of any potential claims or circumstances which may give rise to a claim in the future which the VDS have not already been notified of, and reviewing and submitting your application.