Looking for Pet Care Services Insurance?

Pet care services need general liability covering injuries caused by animals in your care (dog bites, scratches, knocking people down), care/custody/control or bailee's coverage for injury, illness, or death of pets while under your supervision, property coverage for facilities and grooming equipment, and workers compensation for employees. Professional liability covers claims from grooming errors or training mistakes. Commercial auto is needed if transporting pets, and abuse/mistreatment coverage protects against allegations of animal abuse.

Many municipalities require pet care businesses to carry liability insurance for business licensing, particularly for grooming shops and boarding facilities. Commercial landlords require insurance before leasing space for doggy daycares or grooming salons. While not legally required for home-based pet sitting or dog walking, many clients request proof of insurance before entrusting pets. Pet care platforms and agencies require providers to carry insurance for listing on their services.

Solo dog walkers and pet sitters pay $300–$800 annually for basic liability coverage. Pet groomers pay $500–$1,500 annually depending on services. Doggy daycares and boarding facilities pay $2,000 to $8,000+ annually based on capacity, facility size, and number of pets. Costs depend on services offered, number of animals cared for simultaneously, facility versus mobile/in-home services, whether overnight care is provided, employee count, and claims history.

General liability covers injuries when dogs or other animals in your care bite or injure third parties, including customers, delivery people, or passersby, as long as you exercised reasonable care and control. Coverage typically excludes injuries from animals you knew were aggressive or dangerous but continued to care for anyway. Some policies have breed restrictions or exclude certain dog breeds considered high-risk.

Care, custody, and control coverage or animal bailee's coverage protects against claims when pets in your care are injured, become ill, escape, or die while under your supervision. Coverage applies when you followed reasonable care standards and safety protocols. However, pre-existing conditions, injuries from known dangerous situations you failed to prevent, or deaths from undisclosed pet health conditions may not be covered.

Yes, many pet owners, particularly for high-value purebred animals, require pet care providers to carry liability and bailee's coverage before entrusting their pets. Some clients may request specific coverage limits or being named as additional insureds. Corporate clients using pet care services for employee benefits programs typically require proof of comprehensive insurance.