Dog Walker Insurance from Massachusetts Specialists

What is Dog Walker Insurance?

Running a dog walking business can be a personally and financially rewarding endeavor, but the work isn’t without potential risk. Being entrusted with someone’s pet is, after all, a significant responsibility. Dog walker insurance won’t prevent an accident or other incident from happening, but it may provide dog walkers in Massachusetts with financial protection should something happen in the course of business.

Dog walker insurance is a kind of commercial insurance that’s specifically tailored to meet the needs of dog walkers. Most policies come with multiple coverages that are bundled together into a package policy, and dog walkers can usually adjust the coverages in a particular policy to suit their situation.

Who in Massachusetts Can Benefit from a Dog Walking Insurance Policy?

Most people who offer dog walking services on a paid basis in Massachusetts ought to have dog walking insurance. Almost everyone who does this type of work is exposed to some risk, and even small-time dog walkers could face a major claim if something tragic happened. For larger businesses, risk exposure usually is even greater.

A few examples of businesses that this insurance might be well-suited for include:

• Self-employed individuals who walk dogs
• Businesses that have multiple employees who walk dogs
• Individuals who periodically walk dogs as a side hustle
• Pet sitters who sometimes walk dogs

While most people who walk dogs for pay ought to carry insurance, people who periodically walk dogs for their family, friends or neighbors typically don’t need a business insurance policy. If no compensation is offered in exchange for walking a dog, coverage is likely available through a personal insurance policy (possibly a homeowners or renters policy) and a commercial dog walker policy probably isn’t needed.

Anyone who’s unsure whether they need dog walking insurance should talk to an insurance agent who specializes in this type of coverage. After reviewing an individual’s particular situation, an experienced agent will be able to provide informed guidance as to whether this type of commercial insurance is necessary.

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What Coverages Do Dog Walking Policies Make Available?

There are several coverages that a dog walker policy might make available. Some of the more commonly offered ones are:

• General Liability Coverage, which might protect against common accidents resulting in injury to others or damage to their property
• Animal Bailee Coverage, which might protect against the loss, injury or death of dogs in a walker’s care
• Commercial Auto Coverage, which might protect a vehicle while it’s driven to and from client’s houses
• Lost Key Coverage, which might protect against the loss of customers’ house keys
• Errors and Omissions Coverage, which might protect against certain work-related mistakes and errors

In addition to these, dog walkers might want other protections as well. An agent who’s familiar with this type of policy can make coverage recommendations specific to a dog walker’s situation.

How Much Do Dog Walking Policies Cost?

Dog walking policies’ premiums are based on several different factors, and cost frequently varies from one policy to another as a result. Even with the variance, however, most policies are quite affordable even for people who are just getting started in the industry.

An independent insurance agent can request quotes from different carriers in the state, so dog walkers can see exactly how much the coverages they want would cost.