My analysis ranked these companies as the best business insurance companies for pet care services:
Best Pet Care Business Insurance
ERGO NEXT, biBerk and Hiscox have the best business insurance for pet care services.
MoneyGeek helps you compare the best pet care business insurers, coverage types and costs, so you can find the protection your operation needs.
Ready to shop? Use our tool below to get matched with your top provider and start your pet care insurance quote.
Select state
Safe & SecureVerified and VettedTrusted Brands
Updated: September 24, 2026
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Best Business Insurance Companies For Pet Care
Ranking pet care insurers requires separating what actually protects your business from what just looks affordable on a quote. My rankings are built on three things: what you'll actually pay, what happens when you need help and whether the coverage holds up when it counts. I scored each provider across affordability (50%), customer experience (30%) and coverage options (20%), weighted that way because cost determines what a solo pet sitter or small grooming shop can sustain, but the cheapest policy means nothing if it excludes the animals in your care or leaves you waiting weeks for a certificate.
This is what made up my analysis of popular insurers, which was assisted (not run) by AI:
- Affordability: I pulled quotes isolating pricing factors across pet care and related service sub-industries, all 50 states (plus DC), employee count (5 ranges from 0 to 49), 16 vehicle types (for commercial auto) and six of the most common coverage types, extrapolating 500,000+ estimates to build a full pricing picture for pet care businesses specifically.
- Customer Experience: 300,000+ reviews, forum conversations and industry research were aggregated and manually parsed to identify the patterns that made customers enjoy and dislike service from each insurer. I also went through what an actual pet care business owner would go through for all providers analyzed, testing their quoting experiences and policy management tools (excluding claims due to limitations).
- Coverage Options: I read the fine print of policy terms, isolated the exclusions and hidden costs that affect pet care businesses (like animal bailee sublimits, breed or species restrictions, and care/custody/control carve-outs), and documented every option available for all providers to determine which has the best coverage for your operation now and as it grows.
ERGO NEXT: Best Overall, Best for Value and Digital Setup
pros
Lowest average rate for pet care
Instant certificates and additional insureds online
Care, custody and control coverage included
cons
Animal bailee limits not disclosed upfront
Post-purchase support scores below competitors
No dedicated agents for complex coverage needs
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
I recommend ERGO NEXT for most pet care businesses because it pairs the lowest average cost with the fastest path to proof of coverage. Its rate runs 14% below the industry average, which saves roughly $10 per month compared to other providers I ranked. You can generate unlimited certificates of insurance through the app at no extra cost and add additional insureds on the spot, both of which matter when a client, landlord or booking platform requires documentation before you start work.
The tradeoff shows up after you buy. Customers report friction when trying to resolve billing disputes, cancellations and mid-policy changes, and there is no dedicated agent assigned to walk you through layered coverage decisions. ERGO NEXT also does not clearly disclose its animal bailee limits or covered incidents before you purchase, so you need to confirm those details during the quoting process if animals regularly stay in your care overnight or for extended periods.
Read Our Review: ERGO NEXT Business Insurance Review
biBerk: Best for Growing Businesses With Expert Guidance
pros
Licensed agents available during online purchase
Lowest rate for 10-19 employee businesses
BOP bundles shop and equipment coverage
cons
Pet-in-care coverage details unclear before quoting
Post-purchase response times score lower
Claims handling requires more follow-up
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
biBerk works well for pet care businesses that have outgrown a solo setup and now manage employees, rent a physical location or own a vehicle. It is a Berkshire Hathaway company that lets you complete the entire purchase digitally while still giving you access to licensed insurance experts who can explain what you are actually buying. That combination matters when your coverage needs become more complex than a single general liability policy. For businesses with 10 to 19 employees, biBerk carried the lowest average rate in my analysis at $144 per month, and its business owner's policy can bundle property coverage for a grooming shop or daycare facility alongside general liability in one policy.
Where biBerk falls short is in what happens after the purchase. Response times for policy changes and claims support scored lower than competitors in my research, which becomes a real problem when you need a certificate updated quickly or are dealing with a situation involving an injured animal. My research also did not surface clear details about how biBerk covers pets in your care, so ask specifically about animal bailee terms, covered incidents and per-animal limits before you commit.
Read Our Review: biBerk Business Insurance Review
Hiscox: Best for Trainers and Behavior Consultants
pros
Professional liability built for advice-based risk
Dedicated claims rep assigned on every claim
Monthly payments with zero installment fees
cons
Major policy changes require a phone call
Narrow coverage selection needs a second carrier
Some reviews cite slow claims follow-up
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Hiscox stands out for pet care professionals whose biggest exposure comes from the guidance they provide, not just the animals they handle. If you are a dog trainer, behavior consultant or someone who gives handling advice, a client can claim your training plan made a problem worse, your recommendations led to additional costs or your missed sessions forced them to hire someone else. Professional liability is one of Hiscox's core products, and its policies respond to exactly those scenarios. Coverage can extend to work performed on or after the policy's retroactive date, which means a claim from a past client may still be covered. Hiscox also charges no installment fees on monthly payments and offers a 5% discount when you carry two or more products.
The limitations surface when your business does more than training. Hiscox covers only the services listed in your policy, so adding boarding, transport or grooming later without updating the policy creates a gap you will not know about until a claim is denied. Making those changes generally requires a phone call rather than a self-service update. Some customer reviews also describe slow follow-up and unclear communication after filing a claim, which is especially frustrating when an animal is involved and a client is pressing for answers.
Read Our Review: Hiscox Business Insurance Review
What Types of Insurance Do Pet Care Need?
Pet care carries a risk that most service businesses never deal with: a living animal is in your custody, and standard business insurance policies exclude damage to property in your care, custody or control. That exclusion is exactly where animal bailee coverage fills the gap, making it the first policy to lock down alongside general liability. General liability handles the other side of the equation, covering injuries to people and damage to their property while you work. Professional liability rounds out the core bundle for anyone who provides scheduled care, follows specific handling instructions or gives training and behavior advice. From there, workers' compensation, commercial auto and property coverage come into play depending on whether you hire staff, transport animals or operate out of a physical location.
The table below summarizes the most common types of business insurance that pet care businesses need to meet requirements and cover financial risks.
Animal bailee | Injury, illness, escape or death involving an animal while it is in your care, custody or control | Animals stay in your care for any period, whether during a walk, grooming session, training appointment or overnight boarding | 65.6% of all pet care liability claims involve direct harm to a pet, and general liability policies typically exclude animals under your control. |
Claims and legal costs when a person is injured or their property is damaged because of your services | You serve clients in person, work at their homes or operate out of a shop or facility | Dog bite claims alone cost insurers $1.86 billion in 2025, with an average claim of $65,450, and a pet care provider can be held liable when a bite happens on your watch. | |
Claims that your advice, instructions or service delivery caused a client financial harm or made a problem worse | You provide scheduled care, follow detailed owner instructions or offer training and behavior guidance | 34% of pet care claims relate to grooming services specifically, and disputes over handling techniques, missed visits or training outcomes fall outside what general liability covers. | |
Medical bills and lost wages after an employee is injured on the job, including bites, scratches and repetitive strain | You hire employees, including part-time groomers, walkers or kennel attendants | Animal handling injuries are among the most common workplace incidents in pet care, and most states require coverage as soon as you bring on your first employee. | |
Accidents involving vehicles used to transport pets, employees or supplies for business purposes | Your business owns a vehicle or staff regularly drive personal vehicles for work tasks like pet pickup and delivery | Personal auto policies typically exclude business use, so an accident while transporting a client's dog leaves both the animal and your business unprotected. | |
Damage or loss to your physical space, grooming equipment, kennels, crates and inventory from fire, theft or covered events | You lease or own a grooming shop, daycare facility or boarding space | A landlord's policy covers the building structure but not your tubs, dryers, crates or client records inside, and replacing a grooming station setup can easily reach five figures. | |
Bundles general liability with commercial property at a lower combined cost than purchasing each separately | Small shops or facilities that need both liability and property protection | A BOP simplifies coverage for pet care businesses with a fixed location by combining two essential policies into one, often at a 10-20% discount over buying them individually. | |
Tools and equipment | Theft or damage to grooming tools, crates, leashes and portable equipment carried between locations | You transport equipment between client homes, parks or facilities | Replacing a full set of professional grooming clippers, dryers and accessories can run $2,000 to $5,000, and homeowners or renters policies rarely cover tools used for business. |
WHY GETTING PET CARE INSURANCE IS IMPORTANT
Most pet care claims are small. The median claim across the industry is just $1,286, and the average is $2,345. But the math changes fast when a severe incident lands in that top 3.1% of claims, which account for nearly a quarter of all costs industry-wide. A single dog bite claim averages $65,450 nationally. Compare that to a general liability policy that costs roughly $76 per month, and one serious incident wipes out years of what you would have paid in premiums. Beyond the financial protection, 80% of pet owners say they are more likely to hire a provider who carries insurance, so coverage also directly affects whether clients trust you with their animals.
How Much Does Pet Care Business Insurance Cost?
Pet care business insurance costs for a small operation with 1 to 4 employees average $116 per month when you carry the recommended bundle of general liability, animal bailee and professional liability. Individual policy costs range from $9 per month for animal bailee to $143 per month for commercial auto. What you actually pay depends on the services you offer, how many animals you handle at once, whether you hire employees and whether your business owns or uses vehicles.
Here's an overview of costs for common coverage types:
- Animal bailee: $9 monthly ($108 annually)
- Commercial Property: $30 monthly ($362 annually)
- Professional Liability: $31 monthly ($377 annually)
- Tools and equipment: $27 monthly ($324 annually)
- Workers' Comp: $73 monthly ($872 annually)
- General Liability: $76 monthly ($908 annually)
- Cyber Insurance: $77 monthly ($922 annually)
- Commercial Auto: $143 monthly ($1,715 annually)
What Are These Costs Based On?
Pricing reflects businesses with one to four employees and is averaged across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Estimates use these coverage assumptions:
- Workers' compensation and commercial auto follow the required limits in each state.
- General liability uses $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate limits.
- Commercial property is based on the average estimated property value across professions.
- Cyber and professional liability use a $1 million coverage limit.
Use our business insurance calculator below to get a more tailored estimate based on your business. You can also use it to find matching providers when you're ready to compare quotes.
Pet Care Insurance Cost Calculator
Select Coverage Type
Select Employee Count
Select Vehicle Type
Select State
Average Monthly Cost—
Select Coverage Type
Average Monthly Cost—
Select Employee Count
Select Vehicle Type
Select State
How To Buy The Best Pet Care Business Insurance
I've laid out the buying process below step by step. If you want something to reference while gathering quotes, download the pet care business insurance buying worksheet to keep your notes, coverage details and provider comparisons organized in one place.
- 1
Identify Required Coverages
Start by separating what you are legally required to carry from what clients, landlords and platforms demand. Workers' compensation kicks in at your first hire in most states, and a commercial lease for a grooming shop or daycare space will almost always require general liability before you get the keys. Booking platforms like Rover and Wag! may also set their own coverage thresholds. If a client or facility requires additional insured status, that has to be added as a policy endorsement through your carrier. A certificate of insurance (COI) alone proves you have coverage but does not extend your protection to the party requesting it.
Read More: Business Insurance Requirements
- 2
Map Your Services and Animals to Coverage
Walk through a typical week of work and identify where liability actually lives. If a dog in your care bites another animal during a group walk, general liability covers the injured person but not the injured pet. That second exposure is animal bailee territory. If you give training advice and a client claims your plan made a behavioral problem worse, neither general liability nor animal bailee responds to that. Professional liability does. Test every service you offer against a specific claim scenario and flag anything without a clear policy match.
- 3
Set Limits That Match Your Worst Realistic Scenario
Your coverage limits should reflect the most expensive thing that could go wrong, not the average claim. A dog walker handling four dogs at once faces a different ceiling than a solo pet sitter visiting one cat. If a dog in your care injures a person and the resulting bite claim averages $65,450 nationally, a $100,000 per occurrence limit barely covers one incident before defense costs. Factor in the number of animals, the value of equipment in your care and whether your services put you inside client homes where property damage can escalate quickly.
Read More: How Much Business Insurance Do I Need?
- 4
Research Providers That Cover Your Specific Services
Not every insurer writes coverage for every type of pet care work. Some exclude overnight boarding, off-leash activities, exotic animals or pet transport entirely. Others will quote you on general liability but lack animal bailee or professional liability for pet-specific risks. Before requesting any quotes, confirm that each insurer on your list covers the animals you handle, the services you provide and the locations where you work. A policy that is cheap but excludes your highest-risk activity is not actually protecting your business.
- 5
Get Quotes With Identical Terms
Give every insurer the same description of your business, including services, animal types, employee count, locations and vehicle use. Then request the same limits, deductibles and endorsements across every quote. Pay close attention to animal bailee limits, veterinary expense sublimits and breed or species exclusions. A quote that looks cheaper may just carry a lower per-animal limit or exclude a service that another quote covers by default. The only way to spot that is to make every variable identical except the insurer.
- 6
Review Your Policy Before Buying
Before you sign, confirm the written policy matches what the insurer quoted you on. Check that every service you provide is listed, since some carriers only cover the activities named in the policy. Verify that employees, contractors and substitute caregivers are all accounted for, because policies may treat each category differently. Look at the exclusions page for breed restrictions, species limitations, boarding caps and off-leash carve-outs. Make sure the policy start date aligns with when you need coverage and that the COI process will not delay a job you have already booked.
- 7
Reassess Your Coverage When Your Business Changes
Adding employees, expanding from walking into boarding, taking on exotic animals, purchasing a vehicle for pet transport or signing a lease on a physical space all change what coverage you need and how much of it. A policy built for a solo dog walker does not protect a grooming shop with three staff members and a company van. Review your coverage before any major change takes effect rather than discovering a gap when a claim forces you to check.
Pet Care Insurance: FAQ
Beyond what this guide covers, I've answered the most common remaining questions pet care business owners have before purchasing insurance.
Pet care business insurance is a group of policies designed to protect you from the financial risks of working with other people's animals. It typically includes general liability for injuries to people, animal bailee for harm to pets in your custody, and professional liability for disputes over the quality of your services. The exact combination depends on whether you groom, board, walk, train or sit, and how your operation is structured.
It depends on your state, your business structure and whether you have employees. No state requires general liability specifically for pet care providers, but most states mandate workers' compensation as soon as you hire your first employee. Beyond legal mandates, requirements come from other directions. A landlord may require proof of liability coverage before signing a lease, a booking platform may set its own minimums and a client agreement can specify limits you need to carry before starting work.
Most do, and it is becoming standard. 80% of pet owners say they are more likely to hire a provider who carries insurance. Facilities that host group activities, doggy daycares that accept outside walkers and corporate clients that book pet services through employee perks programs will typically ask for a certificate of insurance before the first appointment. Having a carrier that generates COIs instantly saves you from losing work while waiting on paperwork.
Pull the insurance section from the client agreement, lease or platform terms and compare it line by line against your policy's limits, covered services and endorsements. Pay attention to whether the contract requires a specific per-occurrence limit, additional insured status or coverage for animals in your care. If anything does not match, contact your carrier before signing. Accepting a contract when your policy falls short puts you on the hook for any gap.
Not always. Some insurers restrict coverage to dogs and cats only, while others exclude specific breeds considered high-risk. If your business handles exotic animals, reptiles, birds or livestock, confirm those species are covered before purchasing. Breed restrictions can also apply to animal bailee coverage, meaning a dog that is excluded from your policy is essentially uninsured while in your care. Ask every insurer about species and breed limitations during the quoting process.
Start with your state's department of labor or workforce agency for workers' compensation rules, since thresholds vary by state and employee count. Check your secretary of state's office for any business registration obligations that carry insurance conditions. Beyond state rules, look at the contracts and agreements tied to your work. A platform, landlord, client or facility can each impose requirements that function the same way a legal mandate does, even when no law is behind them.
Your coverage requirements shift whenever your operation changes shape. Hiring your first employee triggers workers' comp in most states. Moving from a home-based business into a leased facility adds property coverage to the list. Starting to transport animals means commercial auto enters the picture. Expanding from dog walking into boarding, grooming or training introduces new liability exposures that your current policy may not address. Revisit your coverage before any of those transitions, not after.
Best Pet Care Business Insurance: The Bottom Line
The right pet care insurer is the one that actually covers how your business operates day to day. A policy that excludes animals in your care, omits a service you perform or caps coverage below what a serious incident would cost is not saving you money. It is creating a gap you will only discover when something goes wrong. Before you compare quotes, make sure every insurer on your list covers your specific services, animal types and work locations.
Price matters, but it should not be the only filter. A lower premium that comes with unclear animal bailee terms, slow certificate turnaround or weak claims support can cost you more in lost work and out-of-pocket exposure than the monthly savings are worth. Before you shop around, these are my top picks overall for pet care.
Get More Specific Pet Business Insurance Guidance
I also cover insurance needs for the following types of pet businesses in more detail.
Get Pet Care Business Insurance Quotes
Use our matching tool below to find providers that fit your pet care business. From there, you can get quotes and compare coverage directly on their site.
About Angelique Palenzuela-Cruz
Angelique Palenzuela-Cruz is a Business Insurance Content Writer at MoneyGeek, where she specializes in general liability, workers’ compensation and professional liability insurance. Her work helps small business owners understand how these policies apply to coverage, including risks like customer injuries, employee injuries, professional mistakes, client contract terms and industry-specific coverage requirements.
She primarily covers service-based businesses where liability and employee coverage decisions are especially important, including cleaning, consulting, beauty and wellness, childcare, education, fitness, food service, pet care, repair and maintenance, and other professional services.
Before joining MoneyGeek, Angelique spent nearly 12 years at Guthrie-Jensen Consultants, one of Southeast Asia’s largest management training firms, where she advanced from Training Consultant to Managing Consultant. In that role, she worked with business clients to assess operational needs, develop training programs and present performance analyses to executive decision-makers. She also helped establish Gladwin Training Consultancy, where she served in learning solutions and client service roles.
Her background gives her practical context for writing about how businesses operate, manage client expectations, structure teams and make risk decisions. At MoneyGeek, she applies that experience to business insurance content, connecting coverage to actual business needs.
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ma-angela-cruz
Email Contact: angelique.palenzuela@moneygeek.com
Sources
- InsuranceNewsNet. "Pet Care Insurance Releases 2025 Claims Report Highlighting Hidden Liability Risks in Routine Pet Services." Accessed November 5, 2026.
- Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I). "Spotlight on: Dog bite liability." Accessed November 5, 2026.