General Liability Insurance
Covers third-party injury claims from bites, scratches, or accidents during pet services.
How it worksRetail & Services
Insurance for Pet Service Businesses
Cover the bite, escape, and injury risks that come with caring for other people's animals.
One application, shopped to our A-rated carrier network. Number of offers depends on carrier appetite for your class, state, and loss history.
What underwriters look at
Businesses that groom, board, walk, or train animals take on a distinct kind of liability the moment a pet is out of its owner's sight. An unexpected bite, a scratch during grooming, or an animal escaping during a walk can lead to injury claims from clients or third parties, and disputes over a pet's wellbeing tend to be emotionally charged.
Boarding and daycare facilities add property risk as well, since animals can damage kennels, furniture, and fencing, and illness or injury while under a facility's care can lead to veterinary reimbursement claims. Many operators carry care, custody, and control coverage specifically because standard general liability often excludes damage to property in your temporary possession, which includes the animals themselves.
Mobile groomers and pet sitters who drive to client homes carry the added exposure of vehicle accidents and property access, since they're often given keys or codes to enter a home while the owner is away. A combination of liability, auto, and bonding coverage tends to address the full range of this work.
Bites and scratches
Animals in an unfamiliar setting can act unpredictably, leading to injury claims from clients or bystanders.
Care, custody, and control exposure
Standard liability often excludes damage to property temporarily in your care, which includes the pets themselves.
Escaped or lost animals
A pet that escapes during a walk or from a boarding facility can lead to costly recovery efforts and liability claims.
Facility property damage
Kennels, fencing, and furniture can be damaged by animals, requiring repair or replacement.
The coverage stack for pet services
Most owners in this class start here. A licensed agent will confirm what your contracts, state, and payroll actually require.
Commercial Property Insurance
Covers kennels, fencing, and facility damage for boarding and daycare operations.
How it worksCommercial Auto Insurance
Covers vehicles used by mobile groomers and pet sitters traveling to client locations.
How it worksBusiness Owner's Policy (BOP)
Bundles liability and property coverage for a single grooming or boarding location.
How it worksWhat it typically costs
Pet service premiums typically reflect the type of service offered, number of animals handled daily, and whether the work is mobile or facility-based.
| Business size | Typical annual range |
|---|---|
Solo dog walker or sitter Lower exposure without a facility or large animal volume keeps costs modest. | $400 – $1,000 / yr |
Grooming shop or small boarding facility Facility exposure and higher animal volume raise liability and property costs. | $1,800 – $4,500 / yr |
Full-service boarding and daycare facility Overnight care and larger animal capacity increase both liability and property exposure. | $5,000 – $13,000+ / yr |
Illustrative ranges only. Premium varies by state, carrier, limits, payroll, and loss history — it is not a quote.
What moves your premium
- Type of service offered
- Number of animals handled per day
- Mobile vs. facility-based operations
- Overnight boarding exposure
- Claims history
- Employee count
Pet Services insurance questions
Ready to compare pet services quotes?
One application. Up to 10 competing quotes from A-rated carriers. A licensed agent presents your best options, usually within one business day.