If you are a professional pet sitter, safeguarding yourself, your clients, and their pets with adequate insurance coverage is crucial. This comprehensive 2023 guide on pet sitting insurance* covers everything you need to know to make informed decisions about your coverage options.

Starting a pet sitting or dog walking business is a venture that comes with inherent risks, just like any other type of business. The risks extend beyond the initial financial investment required to start the business, encompassing your time, energy, and other opportunities. Even though you may not be investing millions of dollars, it is still a significant investment that you are making. The primary objective of your business is to yield a profitable return on your investment, but unfortunately, that is not always the case.

However, there are ways to mitigate the risks involved in pet sitting or dog walking business. One of the most important steps you can take is to obtain the right insurance coverage to protect yourself and your clients. By investing in comprehensive pet sitting insurance, you can safeguard your business against potential risks and ensure that you can continue to provide your services with confidence.

If you're a pet sitter, it's crucial to understand the importance of having proper insurance coverage. Despite your best efforts to ensure the safety of the pets in your care, accidents can happen. Without insurance, you could be held liable for any damages or injuries that occur while you are responsible for the pets. This can result in costly legal fees, medical bills, and other expenses that can threaten the financial stability of your business.

Furthermore, pet sitting insurance can provide protection for both you and your clients. Many pet owners are hesitant to entrust their beloved pets to someone who is not insured, and having coverage can increase their trust and confidence in your services. Additionally, some pet sitting insurance policies may include coverage for damages or injuries caused by the pets in your care, which can alleviate any concerns your clients may have about potential damages to their property.

At Easy Busy Pets, we strongly advise pet sitters and dog walkers to obtain adequate Pet Sitting Insurance as a crucial risk mitigation measure. Insurance coverage can offer financial protection in the event of an accident and provide peace of mind to you, your staff, and your clients.

 

There are various types of pet sitting insurance policies available, each with its own coverage options and limits. The following are some of the essential components that a pet sitting insurance policy should include:

• General Liability Coverage: This coverage protects you against claims of bodily injury or property damage caused to a third party while providing pet care services.
• Care, Custody, and Control Coverage: This coverage provides protection for pets in your care, custody, and control. It can cover expenses related to accidental injury, sickness, or death of the pets while in your care.
• Bailee Coverage: Provides protection for the pets in your care against accidental injury, loss or damage. 
• Professional Liability Coverage: Also known as Errors and Omissions (E&O) coverage, this insurance provides protection against claims of professional negligence or failure to perform duties correctly.
• Bonding Coverage: This coverage can protect you against employee theft or dishonesty, which can include theft of client property or pets.
• Auto Liability Coverage: If you use your vehicle for pet care services, auto liability coverage is necessary to protect against claims of bodily injury or property damage that may occur while driving.
• Workers' Compensation Coverage: If you have employees, workers' compensation insurance is essential to protect against claims of work-related injuries or illnesses.
• Cyber Liability Coverage: In the age of technology, cyber liability coverage is crucial to protect against data breaches, cyber attacks, and other forms of digital threats.

General liability coverage is a critical component of a pet sitting insurance policy and is especially important for dog walking and pet sitting businesses. This coverage protects you against claims of bodily injury or property damage caused to a third party while providing pet care services.

It's important to note that the amount of general liability coverage needed may vary based on the size and scope of your business. Some carriers offer policies with coverage limits ranging from $100,000 to $1,000,000 or more. It's crucial to evaluate your business needs and select a policy that provides sufficient coverage.

Adding bailee coverage to your pet sitting insurance policy can give you and your clients added peace of mind, knowing that their pets are covered for a wider range of risks.

It is not redundant coverage, but rather provides additional protection for situations where the pet is in your care and control. While general liability and care, custody and control coverage can provide some protection for accidents and injuries that occur while the pet is in your care, bailee coverage is specific to the pets themselves and is designed to cover damages or loss that result from specific risks such as theft, fire, or natural disasters.

We see "insured and bonded" headings on many pet sitting websites.

Bonding provides coverage for theft or loss of client's property while it's under your care. It's important to note that bonding coverage is not the same as insurance, as it only covers intentional acts of theft or dishonesty.

For example, if you're a pet sitter and you are accused of stealing money or jewelry from a client's home, and you have bonding coverage, it can help cover the costs of legal defense and any settlements or judgments. This coverage can provide peace of mind to pet owners who may be concerned about leaving their valuables in a home which you need access to when picking up their pet for a walk.

Bonding coverage also serves as a form of protection for your business. If an employee or subcontractor is responsible for theft or dishonest acts, bonding coverage can help compensate the client and limit the financial impact on your business. This can help preserve your business reputation and prevent any negative publicity that may result from such incidents.

It's important to note that bonding coverage is not required by law. However, by investing in this coverage, you can give clients peace of mind, protect your business reputation, and comply with best practices in the pet sitting industry.

There are several pet sitting insurance companies in the United States that offer coverage to pet sitters, dog walkers, and other pet care professionals. Each of these companies may have their own unique offerings and coverage options, so it's important to do your research to find the one that's right for your business.

• Pet Care Insurance: Customizable coverage options to fit the needs of different pet care businesses. Their policy includes general liability, property damage, and animal bailee coverage, as well as optional add-ons like bonding coverage and professional liability coverage.
• Pet Sitters Associates: Offers a comprehensive insurance policy that includes general liability coverage, property damage coverage, and veterinary expense coverage. They also offer bonding coverage as an optional add-on.
• Business Insurers of the Carolinas: Offers a policy specifically designed for pet care professionals. Their coverage includes general liability, property damage, and animal bailee coverage, which provides protection for pets in your care.
• Other pet sitting insurance providers in the United States include ProFessional Insurance for Pet Sitters and Dog Walkers, and Kennel Pro. It's important to carefully review each provider's coverage options, limitations, and pricing to find the best fit for your business.

The cost of pet sitting insurance can vary depending on the coverage limit, deductible, and other factors such as the number of employees, location, and services offered. On average, pet sitting insurance can cost anywhere from $200 to $600 per year for a basic policy, with higher coverage limits and additional coverage options increasing the premium. Some insurance providers may offer monthly payment plans or discounts for multiple policies, such as adding dog walking coverage.

Comparing actual quotes from multiple insurance providers (not the prices they post on their sites) is recommended to find the best coverage and price for your business. Additionally, some professional organizations for pet sitters and dog walkers may offer discounted rates for members on insurance policies.

Here are some items that should be noted and tracked in the event of an insurance claim for a pet sitting or dog walking business:

• Date and time of the incident: Write down the date and time of the incident as soon as possible.
• Location of the incident: Include the exact location where the incident occurred, such as the client's home or a public park.
• Description of the incident: Provide a detailed description of the incident, including any injuries or damages that occurred.
• Names and contact information of those involved: Gather the names and contact information of any people or pets involved in the incident.
• Witness information: If there were any witnesses to the incident, get their names and contact information as well.
• Photos or videos: If possible, take photos or videos of any injuries or damages that occurred as a result of the incident.
• Any other relevant information: Keep track of any other relevant information related to the incident, such as veterinary records or police reports.

To make this process simple and trustworthy, consider using a pet sitting web app like Easy Busy Pets, to document these details electronically quickly and easily, so that you have all your paperwork backed up and ready to go in the event of an emergency.

Regarding vaccination enforcement for pets, it is important to keep track of the pets' vaccination records and ensure that they are up-to-date before providing any services. This includes vaccinations for diseases such as rabies, distemper, and parvovirus. If a pet becomes ill or spreads a disease to another animal or person due to lack of vaccination, it could result in a liability claim. 

As a professional pet sitter, it's crucial to have proper insurance coverage to safeguard yourself, your clients, and their pets from any unexpected accidents, injuries, or damages. Understanding the various types of coverage options available, the extent of coverage offered by pet sitting insurance, and selecting the right insurance provider are all essential steps towards ensuring that your business is well-protected and stress-free.

By investing in the right pet sitting insurance policy, you can rest easy knowing that your business is fully covered in the event of any unforeseen incidents. It's essential to thoroughly research and compare different pet sitting insurance providers and their policies to determine the best fit for your business. This may involve examining factors such as coverage limits, exclusions, deductibles, and premiums to ensure that you are getting the best value for your investment.