Pet Care Services Insurance
Coverage for Pet Sitters, Dog Walkers & Kennels
Protect your pet care business with flexible, affordable insurance from Dhuka Insurance.
Why Pet Care Businesses Need Specialized Insurance
Pet care professionals (pet sitters, dog walkers, groomers, boarding kennels, pet daycare, mobile groomers) face unique risks: animal bites, property damage, lost or injured pets, employee injuries, and allegations of negligence. A standard business policy often leaves gaps — you need coverage built for animals and the people who care for them.
Dhuka Insurance specializes in pet care insurance designed to:
- Protect your business, employees, and clients' animals
- Meet contracting or facility requirements (boarding/kennel contracts)
- Provide quick Certificates of Insurance (COIs) for clients and partners
- Offer flexible payment plans or pay-as-you-go billing to match seasonal cash flow
Core Coverages Every Pet Care Provider Should Consider:
- General Liability (GL) - Covers third-party bodily injury and property damage
- Care, Custody & Control (Bailee) - Pays to replace or treat animals while in your care
- Professional Liability / Errors & Omissions - Protects against claims of negligence in services
- Abuse & Molestation - Covers allegations of intentional harm by employees
- Workers' Compensation - Covers employee injuries on the job
- Commercial Auto Insurance - Required if vehicles are used for pickups, drop-offs, or mobile grooming
- Business Property & Contents - Replaces stolen/broken grooming equipment, kennels, and office gear
- Business Owner's Policy (BOP) - Bundles GL + property for cost savings
Why Choose Dhuka Insurance for Pet Care Coverage?
- Industry specialists: we understand animals, trainers, groomers, and facilities
- Fast COIs & same-day service so you never lose a job
- Flexible payment plans and pay-as-you-go options to match seasonal revenue
- Easy online quoting + dedicated agent support
- Transparent pricing and contract-ready documentation
- Trusted by local pet businesses
Starting at $25/month
Flexible pet care business protection
Complete Pet Care Insurance Coverage Guide
Core Coverages Explained
1. General Liability (GL)
Why: Covers third-party bodily injury and property damage (e.g., client trips on grooming shampoo on floor).
Recommended limits:
- $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate (contracts often require higher)
2. Care, Custody & Control (Bailee) / Animal Bailee Liability
Why: Pays to replace or treat animals while in your care (lost, stolen, injured pet). Essential for sitters, walkers, kennels, and groomers.
Recommended limits:
- $5K–$100K depending on number/value of animals cared for
3. Professional Liability / Errors & Omissions (E&O)
Why: Protects against claims of negligence in services (missed medication, incorrect grooming leading to injury).
Recommended limits:
- $250K–$1M
4. Abuse & Molestation (Optional but important)
Why: Covers allegations of intentional harm by employees — some facilities and platforms require it.
Recommended limits:
- $100K–$500K
5. Workers' Compensation
Why: Covers employee injuries on the job. Required in many states when you employ staff.
Action: We'll help you determine state requirements and offer pay-as-you-go payroll-based options.
6. Commercial Auto Insurance
Why: Required if vehicles are used for pickups, drop-offs, or mobile grooming.
Minimums: Vary by state — we'll tailor your limits to match operation and contracts.
7. Business Property & Contents
Why: Replaces stolen/broken grooming equipment, kennels, and office gear. Helpful for mobile businesses too.
8. Business Owner's Policy (BOP)
Why: Bundles GL + property (+ optional business interruption) for cost savings and simpler management.
Texas or Multi-State Operations?
State rules vary for workers' comp, auto, and licensing. If you operate in Texas, Florida, California — or across state lines — we'll tailor policies for each state's compliance requirements and help you meet contract demands.
Contract & Client Requirements We Can Satisfy
Many property managers, pet platforms, and corporate partners require:
- COI naming them as Additional Insured
- Bailee limits for high-value animals
- Waiver of subrogation on workers' comp or GL
- E&O or Abuse & Molestation for platform listings
We issue ACORD 25 COIs same day so you don't lose business waiting for paperwork.
Real-World Claim Examples
| Incident | Policy That Covered It |
|---|---|
| Dog bite claim: Customer visits groomer; a nervous dog bites a customer | General Liability (medical costs and defense) |
| Lost dog during walk: Leash breaks and dog disappears | Care/Custody & Control (replacement or market value) |
| Grooming injury: Over-nicked ear during grooming | E&O (vet bills and legal costs) |
| Employee slip with chemical: Worker at a kennel injures back | Workers' Comp (medical and lost wages) |
Cost-Saving Strategies for Pet Businesses
Bundle policies (BOP)
Save 10–25% by combining GL + property + business interruption
Pay-as-you-go workers' comp
Premiums align to actual payroll — great for seasonal staff
Safety & training credits
Grooming certifications, bite prevention training, and secure crates can earn discounts
Vehicle telematics
GPS/driver safety monitoring can reduce commercial auto premiums
What We Need for a Fast Quote
- Business type (pet sitter, dog walker, groomer, kennel, daycare)
- Number of employees & estimated payroll
- Approximate annual gross revenue
- Typical number of animals cared for concurrently
- Any prior claims (last 5 years)
- Vehicle usage (if applicable)
- Desired coverages and limits
Payment Options — Flexible Plans That Grow With Your Business
We know cash flow matters. Dhuka Insurance offers:
- Monthly payment plans (0% or low admin fees depending on carrier)
- Pay-as-you-go workers' comp (billed on actual payroll)
- Seasonal billing options for peak months
- Auto-renewal & pre-notify 45-day renewal reminders so COIs never lapse
Documents & Records Checklist (For Smoother Underwriting)
- Business registration / EIN
- Proof of training/certifications (grooming, canine first aid)
- Client check-in/check-out forms and pet condition notes
- MSDS for chemicals used in grooming/cleaning
- Vehicle registration and MVRs for drivers
- Past 5 years of loss runs/claims history (if available)
Pro tip: Keep digital backups and automate renewal reminders 45 days before expiration.
FAQ — Quick Answers Pet Care Businesses Ask
Q: Do pet sitters need insurance?
A: Yes. Insurance protects you from liability claims and helps you get contracts. Many platforms require proof of insurance.
Q: How much does pet sitter insurance cost?
A: Costs vary by revenue, services, and limits. Small independent sitters often pay less than $300–$600/year for basic GL + bailee coverage; bundled options and higher limits cost more. Get a custom quote for an exact price.
Q: Can I get coverage for high-value animals?
A: Yes — request higher bailee limits to cover show dogs, exotic pets, or animals with high market value.
Q: What does bailee insurance cover?
A: Bailee (care, custody & control) covers loss, theft, or injury to animals while in your care — different from standard GL.
Q: How fast can I get a COI?
A: Same day in most cases. We can issue an ACORD 25 COI the same business day once the policy is bound.
Ready to Protect Your Pet Care Business?
Get a free, no-obligation quote and protect your pet care business today.