How to Get Liability Insurance for a Pet Care Business
Trusted by over 15,000 Pet-care Professionals
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Trusted by over 15,000 Pet-care Professionals
Pet Care Insurance (PCI) is here to take the stress out of choosing the right plan to fit your business.
Here’s how to get liability insurance with PCI
PCI has an instant, easy quote process that allows you to customize your coverage and preview your monthly or annual insurance costs in minutes.
- Head over to our guided application
- Select your business type
- Customize your policy with the coverage you need
- Give us some details about you and your business
- Choose a start date as early as the same day
- Review your instant quote
- Enter your payment information
- You’re set!
You can purchase PCI’s annual policy in one lump sum for a discount, or pay by the month. We even offer EZ-Renew, which automatically renews your policy so you can set it and forget it!
How to Choose the Right Liability Insurance Policy
Shopping for insurance is intimidating. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting your business, picking the right liability coverage can be a chore at best. The good news is that the process of choosing and buying a liability insurance policy is all bark and no bite.
Why Is Pet Care Liability Insurance Important?
Liability insurance protects you from common claims you may face as a result of operating a pet care business. If your client’s property gets damaged or their pet is injured, you could be held financially responsible. An insurance policy from PCI can help mitigate or eliminate your out-of-pocket expenses in the event of an accident.
Risks Covered by Liability Insurance
It may seem confusing at first, but liability insurance is easier to understand when you break it down into specific types of risk coverage.
Chris Graham and his team are always ready to help answer your questions. Sweater and sunglasses not always included.
What Do You Need to Get Professional Liability Insurance?
Before purchasing your pet care insurance policy, you’ll need to prepare some basic information about yourself and your business. Make sure you have the following available before starting an application:
- Business address
- Business type (corporation, partnership, LLC, sole proprietorship)
- Any past claim history, if applicable
- Name and contact information for any additional insureds, if applicable
- Employee names, if applicable
Aside from this general business information, you’ll want to do some leg work to ensure you can make an educated decision for your business needs.
Cost Factors for Your Liability Insurance Policy
It’s important to weigh the cost of liability insurance against your income, budget, and potential unexpected expenses. In a perfect world, accidents will never happen and you won’t need insurance, but you can’t count on it. While pet care insurance is an added expense, one claim can offset the cost.
For example, let’s say the dog you’re pet-sitting leaps off the couch and lands on the coffee table, shattering the table and breaking his leg. According to WebMD, this is a breakdown of how much that vet visit could cost:
- Exam: $100–$150
- X-rays: $150–$600
- Hospitalization of 3-5 days: $2,000–$3,500
- Emergency surgery: $2,000–$5,000
If we add in the cost of the property damage, the bill for this accident could be anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000.
Now, let’s compare that to the cost of insurance:
- Base Pet Sitter General Liability Insurance Policy: $229 per year
- Expanded Pet Protection Coverage: $19 per year (increases limit from $5,000 to $15,000/year
Total cost of insurance: $248 per year with monthly payment options!
In this case, insurance would cover most or all of your financial responsibility for a fraction of the out-of-pocket cost. Even if you invest in insurance for 10 years and only use it once, it could still pay for itself if you make a single claim.
Depending on your business type, your base cost could be as low as $139 a year, or $13.99 per month. Learn more about insurance coverage and costs for:
Dog walkers | Pet sitters | Pet groomers | Dog trainers | Pet boarding services | Pet taxi services
Here Are a Few Real Accidents We've Paw-tected
We get it, accidents happen. Some people get insurance because it’s required for their job. But the other benefit is it helps small businesses defend themselves from those accidents. Here are some claims pet care professionals like yourself protected themselves from with the right coverage.
All policies have conditions, limitations, and exclusions, please read the policy for exact verbiage. Claim scenario circumstances vary in nature and similar claims do not guarantee coverage. You could be held liable for any damage done to your client. Make sure that you are aware of any allergies that your clients may have beforehand, and always work with precautions and care.
We get it, accidents happen. Some people get insurance because it’s required for their job. But the other benefit is it helps small businesses defend themselves from those accidents. Here are some claims pet care professionals like yourself protected themselves from with the right coverage.
All policies have conditions, limitations, and exclusions, please read the policy for exact verbiage. Claim scenario circumstances vary in nature and similar claims do not guarantee coverage. You could be held liable for any damage done to your client. Make sure that you are aware of any allergies that your clients may have beforehand, and always work with precautions and care.
Risk Assessment
When choosing a pet care insurance policy, it’s important to understand what kind of risks your business may face. While there is some overlap, a dog walker won’t necessarily have the same concerns as a pet kennel owner. If you’re still on the fence about whether or not you need pet care insurance, try asking yourself three questions:
- What kind of accidents am I most concerned about?
- What kind of accidents have I already experienced?
- How much can I afford to pay out of pocket if an accident occurs?
Understanding your financial position and the types of risks you may face can help you determine if you need insurance and how much coverage you’ll require.
Comparing Quotes From Insurance Companies
Once you know what kind of insurance you need and why you need it, you’ll want to start evaluating prices. PCI has a quick and easy quote process that allows you to explore your options and get a preview of your monthly or annual insurance costs. Researching a few different companies and policies is a good idea to ensure you find the right fit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Liability Insurance for Small Business Owners
How Much Does it Cost to Get Liability Insurance for Pet Care Professionals?
PCI offers general liability insurance starting at $139 per year or $13.33 per month. The final cost can change based on a few factors, including what kind of coverage you select, add-ons, and your business’s gross income.
How Long Does it Take to Get Liability Insurance?
You can purchase your policy through PCI in 10 minutes or less. When you enroll, you can opt for coverage to begin immediately or select a later start date. Set it up and get protected today.
Do I Need Liability Insurance?
Yes! If an accident occurs while a pet is in your care, you could be held financially liable. Veterinary bills, legal fees, and property damage expenses can pile up quickly and may exceed what you can afford to pay out of pocket. Pet care liability insurance offers a safety net that protects you and your business from costly claims.
Protect Your Business with Pet Business Insurance from PCI
Whether you’re a dog walker, pet-sitter, or kennel owner, you and the pets you care for deserve to have protection when the going gets ruff. PCI is here to help with comprehensive coverage tailored to fit your unique business needs.
