The Hartford earned our top spot for the best small business insurer for pet companies due to its excellent customer service and comprehensive coverage. However, we recommend comparing quotes from our other top picks, including NEXT, Thimble and biBERK.
Best Pet Business Insurance
Updated: July 8, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
The Hartford is the best business insurance company for pet firms because it offers the greatest balance of customer service and coverage.
The cheapest overall commercial insurance provider for pet businesses is Thimble, with low monthly rates for various coverage types.
To shop for business insurance for your pet business, assess the risks in your industry, consult agents and other similar organizations and compare multiple options.
Best Business Insurance for Pet Companies
| The Hartford | 95 | 97 | 91 |
| NEXT Insurance | 91 | 88 | 94 |
| Thimble | 91 | 98 | 81 |
| biBERK | 91 | 92 | 91 |
| Nationwide | 88 | 84 | 91 |
| Progressive Commercial | 87 | 89 | 81 |
| Hiscox | 86 | 86 | 87 |
| Chubb | 85 | 80 | 87 |
| Simply Business | 85 | 80 | 83 |
| Coverdash | 85 | 81 | 83 |
*All scores were based on a pet business with two employees across professional liability, general liability, workers' comp and BOP policies.
1. The Hartford
pros
Lowest professional liability insurance rates
Extensive experience with over 200 years in the industry
Highest financial stability ratings
cons
Less affordable for workers' comp policies
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
The Hartford leads our pet business insurance rankings, drawing on two centuries of industry expertise to deliver exceptional value for animal-related enterprises. It has the lowest rates for professional liability and BOP insurance, offering essential protection against the unique risks of animal care, grooming, and pet services. With top customer experience ratings from over 10,000 policyholders and an A+ from AM Best, The Hartford provides pet businesses with both superior service and reliable claims processing when coverage matters most.
2. NEXT
pros
Best customer service experience
Large coverage selection
cons
Slower quote times than competition
Lower financial stability ratings
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
NEXT earned the second position in our ranking of providers for pet businesses, mainly due to its stellar customer service rating. Although it's newer to the industry with under 10 years of experience, NEXT has earned a 4.7 out of 5.0 rating from over 3,000 customers. It may not be the cheapest for most pet firms overall, however it does offer the second lowest rates for professional liability insurance.
3. Thimble
pros
Lowest rates for most coverage types
Good financial stability ratings
cons
Lowest customer service rating in our study
Online-only customer support with no phone representatives
Fewer coverage options than other insurers
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Thimble stands out in the pet business insurance market primarily through its exceptional affordability, despite not achieving the highest customer service ratings. The company delivers the lowest rates overall across two of four coverage types in our analysis. However, Thimble operates without phone support, requiring all customer communications through its app or email platform, which may not suit those preferring direct phone assistance for claims or policy inquiries.
Cheapest Business Insurance for Pet Firms
Based on our study of business insurance pricing, Thimble offers the cheapest overall commercial insurance for pet companies across most policy types. However, this applies only to pet companies with two employees, and you may find lower rates elsewhere. Below are the most affordable providers by major coverage types.
Cheapest General Liability Insurance for Pet Companies
With an average monthly rate of $36, Thimble offers the lowest-cost general liability insurance for pet companies. Even so, consider getting quotes from the next-most-affordable insurers: The Hartford and biBERK.
| Thimble | $36 | $431 |
| The Hartford | $44 | $533 |
| biBERK | $49 | $593 |
| Progressive Commercial | $53 | $640 |
| NEXT Insurance | $57 | $687 |
| Hiscox | $58 | $701 |
| Nationwide | $59 | $713 |
| Chubb | $66 | $788 |
| Coverdash | $70 | $840 |
| Simply Business | $76 | $915 |
Cheapest Workers' Comp Insurance for Pet Companies
For pet businesses shopping for workers' comp insurance, Thimble tops our list as the most affordable insurer, with average rates of $13 per month or $158 yearly.
However, you may find more affordable rates with Progressive Commercial, Hiscox, NEXT Insurance and Coverdash.
| Thimble | $13 | $158 |
| Progressive Commercial | $14 | $171 |
| Coverdash | $15 | $181 |
| Hiscox | $15 | $177 |
| NEXT Insurance | $15 | $184 |
| Simply Business | $15 | $176 |
| The Hartford | $15 | $179 |
| biBERK | $16 | $186 |
| Nationwide | $17 | $198 |
| Chubb | $18 | $213 |
Cheapest Professional Liability Insurance for Pet Companies
The Hartford offers the most affordable professional liability insurance options for pet companies, with low average monthly rates of $41. You may also want to compare prices from other low-cost providers like NEXT Insurance, Progressive Commercial and Thimble.
| The Hartford | $41 | $496 |
| NEXT Insurance | $43 | $515 |
| Progressive Commercial | $44 | $529 |
| Simply Business | $45 | $544 |
| Thimble | $45 | $540 |
| Coverdash | $46 | $552 |
| Hiscox | $46 | $548 |
| biBERK | $48 | $571 |
| Nationwide | $50 | $595 |
| Chubb | $54 | $643 |
Cheapest BOP Insurance for Pet Companies
Thimble provides the most affordable BOP coverage for pet companies, with an average yearly cost of $672 for bundled general liability and property protection. That's a savings of roughly $4 annually compared to The Hartford, the second most affordable option.
| The Hartford | $56 | $676 |
| Thimble | $56 | $672 |
| biBERK | $65 | $779 |
| Progressive Commercial | $80 | $961 |
| NEXT Insurance | $83 | $992 |
| Hiscox | $88 | $1,058 |
| Nationwide | $90 | $1,080 |
| Chubb | $98 | $1,179 |
| Coverdash | $101 | $1,217 |
| Simply Business | $114 | $1,373 |
What Type of Coverage Do You Need for a Pet Business?
Most companies with employees are legally required to carry workers' comp insurance, and businesses that use vehicles must have commercial auto coverage. Many clients or contracts also require businesses to carry general liability insurance before starting work. A surety bond may also be necessary in certain industries, especially when contracts require guarantees of service or compliance.
RECOMMENDED PET BUSINESS COVERAGE
General liability insurance is strongly recommended for pet businesses because it covers common risks like bodily injury, property damage and legal defense costs. Professional liability insurance is also a smart option for businesses that work under client contracts or provide specialized services. This coverage is especially helpful for companies with specialized services or large contracts where disputes are more likely.
Coverage Recommendations by Pet Company Type
We've organized pet business types by risk level, starting with those most likely to face claims. Understanding these differences helps you get the right coverage for your business.
Pet Company Type | Coverage Types Recommendation | Most Common Insurance Claims | Most Common Reasons For Litigation |
|---|---|---|---|
Dog Grooming Services | General Liability, Professional Liability, Care/Custody/Control Coverage, Workers' Comp, Commercial Property, Commercial Auto, Animal Bailee Coverage, Umbrella Policy ($2M+) | Dog bites and scratches to staff, pet injuries from grooming tools, pets escaping from facility, slip/fall accidents on wet floors, allergic reactions to grooming products, pet heat stroke from dryers | Pet injury/death lawsuits from grooming accidents, animal escape and injury claims, grooming negligence suits, slip/fall customer injury claims, allergic reaction lawsuits from products, wrongful death of pets during grooming |
Veterinary Practices | Professional Liability (Malpractice), General Liability, Care/Custody/Control Coverage, Workers' Comp, Commercial Property, Cyber Liability, Employment Practices Liability, Controlled Substances Coverage, Umbrella Policy ($5M+) | Medical malpractice claims, animal bites to staff, surgical complications, misdiagnosis cases, drug/anesthesia reactions, pet deaths during procedures, cyber breaches of client records | Veterinary malpractice lawsuits, wrongful death of pets, misdiagnosis negligence claims, surgical error suits, drug theft/DEA violations, cyber breach class actions, employment discrimination claims |
Pet Boarding/Daycare | General Liability, Care/Custody/Control Coverage, Workers' Comp, Commercial Property, Animal Bailee Coverage, Commercial Auto, Communicable Disease Coverage, Umbrella Policy ($3M+) | Dog-on-dog attacks, pet escapes from facility, communicable disease outbreaks, employee bites/injuries, facility accidents, pet deaths from fights or medical emergencies | Pet injury/death lawsuits from fights, animal escape liability claims, disease outbreak class actions, negligent supervision suits, facility safety violation claims, wrongful death from inadequate medical care |
Pet Training Services | General Liability, Professional Liability, Care/Custody/Control Coverage, Workers' Comp, Commercial Auto, Animal Bailee Coverage, Cyber Liability, Umbrella Policy ($2M+) | Dog bites during training sessions, pet injuries from training equipment, behavioral training failures, slip/fall accidents during classes, pet escapes during outdoor training | Training negligence lawsuits, pet injury claims from equipment, behavioral training failure suits, animal escape liability, slip/fall customer injury claims, professional negligence in behavior modification |
Pet Retail Stores | General Liability, Product Liability, Commercial Property, Workers' Comp, Care/Custody/Control Coverage (if selling live animals), Commercial Auto, Cyber Liability, Umbrella Policy ($2M+) | Customer slip/fall accidents, defective pet product injuries, animal bites from live animals sold, employee injuries from lifting, product liability from pet food/treats, theft of merchandise | Product liability lawsuits from defective pet products, pet food contamination class actions, slip/fall customer injury claims, animal bite lawsuits from pets sold, premises liability suits |
Mobile Pet Services | General Liability, Professional Liability, Commercial Auto (primary coverage), Care/Custody/Control Coverage, Workers' Comp, Equipment Coverage, Animal Bailee Coverage, Umbrella Policy ($2M+) | Vehicle accidents while transporting pets, pet injuries during mobile grooming, equipment damage in mobile units, pet escapes during service, customer property damage at homes | Vehicle accident lawsuits with pets onboard, mobile service negligence claims, customer property damage suits, pet injury/escape liability, equipment failure causing pet harm, wrongful death during mobile services |
How to Get the Best Cheap Business Insurance for Your Pet Company
Here's how to find the best and cheapest insurance for your pet business.
- 1
Decide on coverage needs before buying
Consider risks specific to your business for claims, get advice from similar businesses, talk to agents and research the types of business insurance. This helps you understand what you actually need and avoid paying for coverage you don't.
- 2
Research costs
To ensure you get the best deal, research average costs for your business profile and determine which providers offer the cheapest rates overall. This helps you spot good deals and know which companies to contact first.
- 3
Look into company reputations and coverage options
Check what customers say on review sites and forums to get the real story about each company's service. Look into coverage options to make sure you're protected for what matters most to your business.
- 4
Compare multiple quotes through different means
Get quotes from multiple companies for the same coverage levels so you can compare prices fairly. Pricing differs by your comparison method, whether with captive agents, comparison sites, company websites or independent agents.
- 5
Reassess annually
Your business situation will change, influencing your rates and coverage needs. Repeat these steps annually to ensure you still have the best deal.
How to Decrease Your Pet Business's Liability Risk
Reducing risks in your pet business helps keep your insurance costs down. We've organized strategies by business type so you can reduce liability and save money.
Pet Business Risk Type | Included Types of Pet Businesses | Risk Mitigation Tactics |
|---|---|---|
Highest | Veterinary services with surgery, animal boarding facilities, exotic animal care, large animal/livestock services, animal rescue operations, wildlife rehabilitation |
|
Moderately high | Dog daycare facilities, pet grooming with full services, pet training/behavior modification, pet breeding operations, pet transportation services |
|
Moderate | Basic pet grooming, dog walking services, pet sitting in homes, pet retail stores, basic obedience training, pet photography |
|
Moderately low | Pet supply delivery, pet waste removal, pet consulting services, pet food/supply retail, mobile pet services |
|
Lowest | Pet care consultation, pet insurance brokerage, pet industry marketing, pet product reviews, pet care education services |
|
Best Insurance for Pet Business: Bottom Line
The Hartford is the best insurer for pet business insurance, while Thimble offers the cheapest option overall. We also recommend getting quotes from NEXT Insurance and biBERK. For the best deal, talk to agents, research providers and pricing and compare multiple quotes side by side.
Pet Business Insurance: FAQ
Below, we answer common questions about pet business insurance.
Who offers the best pet business insurance overall?
The Hartford provides the best business insurance for pet companies, achieving a MoneyGeek score of 95 out of 100, excelling in customer service. NEXT Insurance follows closely, offering a competitive option.
Who has the cheapest business insurance for pet companies?
Here are budget-friendly insurance providers for pet companies categorized by coverage type:
- General liability insurance: Thimble at $36 monthly
- Workers' comp insurance: Thimble at $13 monthly
- Professional liability insurance: The Hartford at $41 monthly
- BOP insurance: Thimble at $56 monthly
What business insurance is required for pet organizations?
Workers' compensation insurance (if you have employees) and commercial auto insurance (if you own business vehicles) are legally required for pet businesses, with requirements varying by state. While not legally mandated, general liability insurance and surety bonds are effectively required by most commercial clients and property leases.
How much does pet business insurance cost?
Business insurance costs for pet businesses vary depending on the type of coverage. Below, we've broken down costs for commonly needed coverage of small businesses:
- General liability: $57 per month
- Workers comp: $15 per month
- Professional liability: $46 per month
- BOP insurance: $83 per month
How We Chose the Best Pet Business Insurance
We selected the best business insurer for pet companies based on the following criteria:
- Affordability (50% of score): The lower a company's costs compared to the competition based on our base profile for four core coverage types, the better it performs.
- Customer service (30% of score): We scored providers on overall customer satisfaction using industry studies, customer review forum ratings and public forum sentiment analysis from sites like Reddit.
- Coverage (15% of score): We scored business insurance for this category based on the flexibility, payment and actual coverage options.
- Financial stability (5% of score): Using financial stability industry ratings from companies like AM Best and Moody's, we created an overall rating to judge how likely a company is to pay out claims compared to the competition.
All pricing in this article is based on the following base profile to represent the vast majority of small businesses in all states:
- Three-person business with two employees
- Coverage: $1 million per occurrence and $2 million total per year for all but BOP, which includes the same coverage plus $5,000 of business property coverage
- $150,000 in payroll
- $300,000 annual revenue
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.
sources
- AM Best. "Hartford Fire Insurance Company." Accessed June 16, 2025.
- NEXT. "Customer Reviews." Accessed June 16, 2025.