The Hartford earned our top spot for the best small business insurer for dog grooming businesses due to its excellent customer service and comprehensive coverage. However, we recommend comparing quotes from our other top picks, including NEXT, Thimble and Coverdash.
Best Dog Grooming Business Insurance
Updated: July 17, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
The Hartford is the best business insurance company for dog grooming firms because it offers the best balance of customer service and coverage.
The cheapest overall commercial insurance provider for dog grooming businesses is Thimble, with low monthly rates for various coverage types.
To shop for business insurance for your dog grooming business, assess the risks in your industry, consult agents and similar dog groomers, and compare multiple options.
Best Business Insurance for Dog Grooming Businesses
| The Hartford | 93 | 94 | 91 |
| NEXT Insurance | 92 | 89 | 94 |
| Thimble | 91 | 98 | 81 |
| Coverdash | 88 | 87 | 83 |
| Nationwide | 86 | 80 | 91 |
| Progressive Commercial | 86 | 87 | 81 |
| Simply Business | 85 | 80 | 83 |
| Chubb | 85 | 80 | 87 |
| biBERK | 85 | 80 | 91 |
| Hiscox | 85 | 83 | 87 |
*All scores were based on a dog-grooming business with two employees across professional liability, general liability, workers' comp and BOP policies.
1. The Hartford
pros
Cheapest professional liability pricing
Strong across all policy types
AM Best A+ financial rating
cons
Fewer digital tools than competitors
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
The Hartford ranks as the top insurer for dog grooming businesses due to its mix of affordability and reliability. It offers the lowest rates for professional liability insurance at $49 per month and competitive pricing for general liability and workers’ comp coverage. With an A+ AM Best rating, The Hartford gives grooming businesses peace of mind that claims will be handled fairly. It's ideal for grooming salons that need broad protection and value traditional customer service.
2. NEXT
pros
Competitive professional liability pricing
Quick, fully digital onboarding
Strong customer service score
cons
Limited coverage for specialty services
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
NEXT is a solid all-around option for dog groomers, especially those running small storefronts or mobile businesses. Its rates for professional liability ($51 per month) and general liability ($57 per month) are among the most competitive in our study. With a 94 customer service score and a strong online platform, NEXT is a great fit for groomers who prefer managing their policies digitally. However, businesses offering boarding or medical services may need more specialized coverage elsewhere.
3. Thimble
pros
Cheapest general liability and BOP
Flexible short-term policy options
Easy quote process
cons
No phone support available
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Thimble leads in affordability for dog grooming businesses, offering the lowest rates for general liability at $36 per month, workers' comp at $28 and BOP coverage at $678 annually. It’s built for small service providers that want flexible, no-frills protection. Reviewers praise its streamlined digital experience on platforms like Trustpilot. While Thimble doesn’t offer live phone support, it’s a top pick for independent groomers and mobile services seeking fast, affordable coverage with minimal paperwork. It’s especially effective for startups or part-time grooming operations.
Cheapest Business Insurance for Dog Grooming Firms
Based on our study of business insurance pricing, Thimble offers the cheapest overall commercial insurance for dog grooming businesses across most policy types. However, this applies only to dog grooming businesses 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 Dog Grooming businesses
With an average monthly rate of $36, Thimble offers the lowest-cost general liability insurance for dog grooming businesses. Even so, consider getting quotes from the next-most-affordable insurers: The Hartford and NEXT.
| Thimble | $36 | $431 |
| The Hartford | $52 | $623 |
| NEXT Insurance | $57 | $687 |
| Coverdash | $60 | $722 |
| Progressive Commercial | $62 | $749 |
| Hiscox | $68 | $820 |
| Nationwide | $75 | $898 |
| Simply Business | $76 | $915 |
| Chubb | $77 | $922 |
| biBERK | $81 | $975 |
Cheapest Workers' Comp Insurance for Dog Grooming Businesses
For dog grooming businesses shopping for workers' comp insurance, Thimble tops our list as the most affordable insurer, with average rates of $28 per month or $333 yearly. The next most affordable options are Progressive Commercial, Simply Business, Hiscox and The Hartford.
| Thimble | $28 | $333 |
| Progressive Commercial | $30 | $360 |
| Hiscox | $31 | $372 |
| Simply Business | $31 | $371 |
| The Hartford | $31 | $378 |
| Coverdash | $32 | $381 |
| NEXT Insurance | $32 | $388 |
| biBERK | $33 | $392 |
| Nationwide | $35 | $418 |
| Chubb | $37 | $449 |
Cheapest Professional Liability Insurance for Dog Grooming Businesses
The Hartford offers the most affordable professional liability insurance options for dog grooming businesses, with low average monthly rates of $49. You may also want to compare prices from other low-cost providers like NEXT, Progressive Commercial, and Thimble.
| The Hartford | $49 | $584 |
| NEXT Insurance | $51 | $616 |
| Progressive Commercial | $52 | $630 |
| Thimble | $53 | $641 |
| Simply Business | $54 | $651 |
| Coverdash | $55 | $666 |
| Hiscox | $55 | $655 |
| biBERK | $56 | $677 |
| Nationwide | $59 | $710 |
| Chubb | $64 | $768 |
Cheapest BOP Insurance for Dog Grooming Businesses
Thimble provides the most affordable business owner's policy (BOP) coverage for dog grooming businesses, with an average yearly cost of $678 for bundled general liability and property protection. That's a savings of roughly $113 annually compared to The Hartford, the second most affordable option.
| Thimble | $56 | $678 |
| The Hartford | $66 | $791 |
| NEXT Insurance | $83 | $998 |
| Coverdash | $87 | $1,045 |
| Progressive Commercial | $95 | $1,134 |
| Hiscox | $103 | $1,234 |
| biBERK | $105 | $1,259 |
| Nationwide | $111 | $1,332 |
| Chubb | $115 | $1,382 |
| Simply Business | $115 | $1,384 |
What Type of Coverage Do You Need for a Dog Grooming 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. Some industries also require surety bonds, particularly when contracts need service guarantees or compliance assurance.
RECOMMENDED DOG GROOMING BUSINESS COVERAGE
General liability insurance is strongly recommended for dog grooming 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. It’s particularly helpful for dog grooming businesses with commercial contracts or high-risk jobs, like technical, legal, or customized services.
How to Get the Best Cheap Business Insurance for Your Dog Grooming Business
Here's a step-by-step method for finding the best and cheapest business insurance for your dog-grooming 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 will give you a balanced perspective on your coverage needs and prevent you from being convinced to get excessive coverage.
- 2
Research costs
Research average costs for your business profile and find which providers offer the cheapest rates overall. This will give you a benchmark for how much you're saving when comparing quotes and which companies to start with.
- 3
Look into company reputations and coverage options
Narrow your list by researching what customers say on rating sites and forums to get a better look at company services. Look up coverage options to match your current and future needs so you're covered for the right situations.
- 4
Compare multiple quotes through different means
Compare multiple quotes for identical coverage to find the best deal. 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 keep getting the best deal.
How to Decrease Your Dog Grooming Business's Liability Risk
Reducing liability risk is key to managing insurance costs for dog grooming businesses. We've organized practical strategies by business type or risk level to help you lower your risk of claims.
Dog Grooming Business Risk Type | Included Types of Dog Grooming Businesses | Risk Mitigation Tactics |
|---|---|---|
Highest | Mobile grooming vans, full-service grooming salons with multiple groomers, large pet spas | Train staff in animal behavior and safe restraint techniques. Require signed pet waivers from all clients. Install non-slip flooring and sanitize equipment between uses. Maintain commercial auto and professional liability coverage. |
High | Brick-and-mortar grooming shops, self-service dog wash stations, boutique grooming studios | Use leash latching systems and secured grooming arms. Post clear safety signage and monitor wet areas to prevent slip-and-falls. Implement incident reporting protocols. Carry general liability and workers’ comp coverage. |
Moderate | Independent groomers renting salon space, in-home grooming services, seasonal pop-ups | Screen clients for pet temperament and medical issues. Use portable safety mats and sanitize shared spaces. Maintain up-to-date first aid kits. Ensure professional liability and tools & equipment coverage. |
Low | Pet grooming consultants, grooming instructors, product-only pet boutiques | Avoid direct contact with animals during services. Focus on virtual or education-based services. Use liability waivers and maintain limited general liability coverage with optional endorsements. |
Best Insurance for Dog Grooming Business: Bottom Line
The Hartford is the best insurer for dog grooming business insurance, while Thimble offers the cheapest option overall. We also recommend getting quotes from NEXT, Thimble and Coverdash. For the best deal, talk to agents, research providers and pricing, and compare multiple quotes side by side.
Dog Grooming Business Insurance: FAQ
Below, we answer common questions about business insurance for dog grooming services.
Who offers the best dog grooming business insurance overall?
The Hartford provides the best business insurance for dog grooming companies, scoring 93 out of 100 with excellent customer service. NEXT Insurance closely follows with a score of 92.
Who has the cheapest business insurance for dog grooming companies?
Here are the cheapest business insurance companies for dog groomers by coverage type:
- Cheapest general liability insurance: Thimble at $36 per month
- Cheapest workers' comp insurance: Thimble at $28 per month
- Cheapest professional liability insurance: The Hartford at $49 per month
- Cheapest BOP insurance: Thimble at $56 per month
What business insurance is required for dog grooming businesses?
Workers' compensation insurance (if you have employees) and commercial auto insurance (if you own business vehicles) are legally required for dog grooming 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 dog grooming business insurance cost?
Business insurance costs for dog grooming businesses vary depending on your services, location and number of employees. Here are the average monthly costs for the most commonly purchased policies:
- General liability: $64 per month
- Workers comp: $32 per month
- Professional liability: $55 per month
- BOP insurance: $94 per month
How We Chose the Best Dog Grooming Business Insurance
We selected the best business insurer for dog-grooming businesses 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.
- Trustpilot. "Thimble." Accessed June 16, 2025.