Owning any sort of pet-related business—like a dog walking, grooming, or pet sitting business—can be quite fun. After all, who doesn’t want to get paid for spending time with furry friends? But just like with every other kind of company, there are insurance risks involved, which is why it’s crucial to get insurance for pet businesses. This blog explains what types of coverage are needed in order to be adequately protected.
Why Does My Pet Business Need Insurance?
Though not always required, commercial insurance policies are generally a good idea for all kinds of businesses, but they’re especially important for those which engage in high-risk or high-stakes activities. For dog walkers, groomers, and pet sitters, the stakes are certainly high; you’re being entrusted with caring for someone’s beloved pet. Purchasing coverage for your pet business ensures you, your team members, your clients, and the pets will be protected if something goes wrong within the scope of your operation. Not to mention, having insurance provides all those involved with peace of mind—and some pet parents may even require proof of insurance before handing their pooch over to you.
Two Common Types of Insurance for Pet Businesses
With that said, here are two types of policies typically well-suited for pet businesses: 
General Liability Insurance for Pet Businesses
General liability insurance typically covers legal and settlement costs associated with third-party claims of bodily injury, property damage, and advertising injury. Let’s say the dog you’re walking bites someone in the park (bodily injury), or you forget to put a puppy in its crate overnight, and it chews up your client’s brand-new couch (property damage). In these cases, your general liability policy would cover any resulting legal, settlement, medical, or property repair/replacement costs.
Professional Liability Insurance for Pet Businesses
Often referred to as errors and omissions insurance, this policy protects your pet-related business from being sued by a dissatisfied client and against any client claims that you failed to deliver agreed-upon services. For example, if you were pet sitting and lost the client’s house key or fed the pet something you shouldn’t have that made them sick, this insurance would cover these mistakes and oversights that cause harm to the pet or the owners. It covers lawsuits, contract breaches, and fines.
Other Types of Relevant Insurance Policies
If you’re a dog walker or pet sitter, chances are you’re self-employed or a solopreneur. But, if you have or plan on having employees, know that workers’ compensation insurance is required by law. And, if there’s a vehicle you use for business purposes—like driving dogs to the park or commuting to clients’ homes to groom their pets—you'll need a commercial auto policy.
With so many pets and pet owners to tend to, you’re much too busy to be spending more time researching commercial insurance policies, comparing prices, and picking a provider. Contact World Insurance Associates to get set up with the appropriate coverage for your pet business’s unique needs.
This article is not intended to be exhaustive, nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as legal advice. Readers should contact legal counsel or an insurance professional for appropriate advice.