Pet Care Insurance in Vermont
What is Pet Care Insurance?
Providing care for pets can be a fun and lucrative business, but it’s one that comes with some risk. From animal fights to property damage, pet care businesses in Vermont face a host of potential property and liability risks. Pet care insurance policies help protect these businesses from many of the perils that they face.
Pet care insurance is a specialized form of commercial insurance that’s uniquely tailored to meet the risk mitigation needs of pet care centers. In order to offer these centers the protections that they need, most pet care policies come with several coverages that are grouped together into a package policy.
What Vermont Businesses Need Dog Day Care Insurance?
Most Vermont businesses that watch pets for clients can benefit from the protections that dog day care insurance provides. Although commonly called “dog day care insurance,” this insurance isn’t limited to only businesses that watch dogs. Some examples of businesses that may want this insurance include:
- Pet boarding facilities
- Dog day care facilities
- Dog walkers
- Pet sitters
- Pet taxi services
Veterinarians who board pets may also need the protections that are afforded by a dog day care policy, although they likely require other coverages as well.
What Coverages Does Dog Day Care Insurance Provide?
Most dog day care insurance policies come with several protections that protect against liability and property risks, although the exact protections included in any one policy can vary. Some of the more commonly offered coverages are:
- General Liability Coverage, which may cover some accidents, defamation lawsuits and false advertising suits
- Professional Liability Coverage, which may cover errors employees make when working with animals or talking to pet owners
- Animal Bailee Coverage, which may cover animals while they’re entrusted to the care of a business
- Business Property Coverage, which may cover owned buildings, facilities and equipment
- Tenants Improvements Coverage, which may cover changes made to a rented or leased space
- Business Income Coverage, which may cover lost income in certain situations where a business can’t open
An insurance agent who specializes in dog day care policies can explain these coverages and any others that are available in more detail.
Do Pet Care Facilities Need Workers Compensation Insurance?
Many established pet care facilities have employees and therefore, are required by state law to carry workers compensation insurance. Vermont state law requires most businesses that have employees to get the insurance, which generally guards against workplace injuries and illnesses. Injuries, especially, are a concern anytime employees are working directly with unknown animals.
Additionally, dog walkers and pet sitters who are self-employed sometimes also want this coverage. Even though self-employed individuals usually aren’t required to procure workers compensation, it can be a good idea to get the insurance because traditional health insurance may exclude medical care that’s needed because of a workplace injury.
In either case, however, workers compensation is normally purchased separately from a pet care policy. Workers compensation is instead usually bought through a stand-alone policy that offers the one coverage.
Do Pet Care Facilities Need Commercial Auto Insurance?
If a pet care facility owns or uses a vehicle for work-related driving, the business likely needs a commercial auto insurance policy. A traditional commercial auto policy may be needed, or a hired and non-owned auto policy might be sufficient depending on the specifics of the business’ vehicle use.
If commercial auto insurance is needed, it can often be added onto a pet care policy as an optionally selected coverage.
How Can Pet Care Facilities Get Pet Care Insurance?
If you need help insuring a pet care facility in Vermont, contact the independent insurance agents at T.S. Peck Insurance. Our agents can show you pet care insurance policy options from several different companies, and they have the expertise necessary to help you select a policy that’s right for your pet care business.
