Why You Need Pet Grooming Insurance for Your Business

Pet and dog groomers are providing a valuable service and are eager to make their living by it. However, anyone who has tried to run a business can tell you that it is hard and comes with many unexpected costs and obstacles. Clients sue over nails getting trimmed too closely, tubs break under particularly feisty dogs, and leashes fray and snap as they age. Clients are entrusting you with their precious cargo and they'd be devastated if something happened. Expenses from damaged equipment and lawsuits can sink your business if it isn't properly insured. That’s why we recommend a pet grooming business insurance package for your business.

Insurance for a Grooming Business

What should a pet or dog grooming insurance package include? What about mobile dog groomers? 

Business Owner's Policy

A pet grooming business can purchase certain types of insurance in a cost-effective and convenient package called a business owner's policy, often referred to as BOP. Pet groomer BOP's tend to include general liability insurance, commercial property insurance, and business interruption insurance. Who can benefit from one of these packages?

• Pet groomer/Mobile groomer
• Dog groomer
• Pet training businesses
• Pet boarding businesses

What do these three policies include?

1. General Liability Insurance: Sometimes, pet groomers are sued because of something that happened that isn't part of their job. The classic example is a client slips while waiting in the lobby for the groomer to finish with his or her pet. This insurance coverage typically covers third party bodily injury or property damage. The particular situations that your general liability policy will cover depend on the company, as does how much of the claims the policy will cover.
2. Commercial Property Insurance: Pet and dog groomers use a lot of equipment. There are kennels, leashes, brushes, and many other things that can get broken by a rambunctious puppy or a clumsy employee. Commercial property insurance will cover the costs of replacing or fixing them up to a certain amount. Some companies will customize such policies to cover either property permanently attached to your grooming van or the equipment that you keep at the building you rent for your business. 
3. Business Interruption Insurance: Anybody who provides a service faces a problem if they have to temporarily stop providing the service. Perhaps the room that you rent was damaged and you couldn't do your job there while it is getting fixed. You would lose income in that circumstance unless you had business income insurance. Business income insurance covers a couple of weeks of income while your property is getting fixed so long as the type of damage that your business sustained is covered by the policy. Make sure your business income policy extends to mobile grooming during "off-premises operations" in case your equipment is damaged.

Professional Liability Insurance

Why would a pet grooming business need professional liability insurance? Pet groomers are doing a tricky job with other people's beloved (and possibly wiggly) fur babies. A nervous dog may be skittish and jittery. One wrong move on their part can mean a small cut or even a fall. A client could accuse you of professional negligence or malpractice, which could lead to your business paying out a lot of money. Professional liability insurance covers the cost of paying for the claims and the defense costs up to the limit of the coverage. Often, the insurance policy will be structured so that it covers up to a million dollars per claim, but the details vary from company to company. 

Animal Bailee Coverage

A comprehensive pet grooming insurance package must also include animal bailee coverage. This liability coverage protects your grooming business if an animal in your care, custody, or control suffers an injury, gets lost, or passes away. This coverage will help pay for the animal's medical expenses. It will also cover the cost to advertise the lost pet and pay a reward if the animal is recovered.

Commercial Auto Insurance

Are you a mobile pet groomer? Or do you transport animals to and from your business? If so, you might want to include commercial auto insurance in your pet groomer insurance package. You want to make sure that your employees and the animals in your care are well-protected.

Workers' Compensation Insurance

Most states require that you carry workers' compensation insurance in case an employee gets injured on the job. Groomers face pets with sharp claws and fangs who may object to soapy water, right? You use plenty of sharp pieces of equipment with which they can accidentally jab themselves. If they get injured, they should have the medical coverage necessary to pay for a speedy recovery. Workers' compensation will often cover a portion of their lost wages as well as medical expenses. 

How Much Does Pet Groomers Insurance Cost?

If your business suffers a loss of an animal, your mobile grooming vehicle is damaged, or a customer is injured—you want to make sure you protect your business. Insurance for pet groomers can depend on numerous variables, including:

• Size of your dog grooming business
• The types of animals that you work with
• The number of employees that you have
• The types of insurance and coverage you choose
• The services that your business provides

Some insurance companies offer a very basic policy starting at $168 a month. To find out what comprehensive grooming could cost your business, speak with a knowledgeable agent about your options.

Get a Free Pet Grooming Insurance Quote

Now that you have identified the types of insurance that your business needs, It's time to get a quote, maybe even a few quotes to make sure you get the best policies for you. Commercialinsurance.net is happy to help get you a quote. Simply complete the form at the top of the page or contact us at 877-907-5267.

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