Last Updated on October 24, 2026 by Syed Sarim Naqvi
Pet boarding, daycare and grooming business insurance is a commercial package that adds animal bailee cover to general liability, and Insureon’s data puts general liability at about $53 a month for boarding and $50 for groomers, with a business owner’s policy at $92 and $80. The catch is the care, custody and control exclusion: standard general liability does not pay when a client’s pet is injured or lost while in your care.
Key Takeaways
- Insureon reports average general liability of $53 a month ($639 a year) for pet boarding, $50 ($598) for groomers, $65 ($780) for mobile groomers and $42 ($500) for pet sitters
- A business owner’s policy averages $92 a month for boarding, $80 for groomers and $59 for pet sitters
- Workers’ comp averages $124 a month for boarding and $88 for groomers, and commercial auto about $147 to $245 a month
- General liability has a care, custody and control exclusion, so animal bailee cover must be added by endorsement
- Most experts recommend limits of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate, per a pet shop insurance guide
What Is Pet Care Business Insurance?
Insureon explains that pet care insurance bundles protections for businesses such as boarding, daycare, grooming, training, dog walking and pet sitting, including general liability for a customer injured by a dog at your business, a business owner’s policy that bundles liability with commercial property, workers’ compensation and commercial auto. Its data shows 71% of pet care businesses that buy general liability through it pay less than $60 a month, and 60% of those buying a BOP pay under $100 a month.
What Is Animal Bailee Coverage?
Insureon says bailee cover protects situations where a customer’s property is in your care, custody and control, and animal bailee cover is designed for the unique risks of pet sitting or dog daycare. It gives an example: if a client’s dog suffers a bodily injury during a dog walk and the owner sues, animal bailee cover would pay medical treatment and legal fees. JMG adds that if a customer’s pet is injured or goes missing at your store, the endorsement provides protection, and that standard general liability excludes animals in your care.
| Business | General Liability (monthly) | BOP (monthly) | Workers’ Comp (monthly) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pet boarding and daycare | $53 | $92 | $124 |
| Dog groomer | $50 | $80 | $88 |
| Mobile groomer | $65 | $80 | $97 |
| Pet sitter | $42 | $59 | $102 |
| Dog trainer | $41 | $71 | $84 |
How Much Does It Cost?
The table shows Insureon’s averages for policies bought through it, so a boarding business with a BOP would pay about $1,105 a year and a sitter about $704. MoneyGeek gives a different set for groomers: general liability at $64 a month, workers’ comp at $65 and professional liability at $55, with a complete package at $213 a month, and says costs run $52 to $83 a month depending on provider. It also says care, custody and control cover protecting client pets adds substantial cost, and that offering daycare, boarding or training layers custody concerns onto grooming. The figures differ because of provider mix, so get quotes.
Which Other Policies Matter?
- Commercial auto: Insureon says it covers accidents in a vehicle owned by the business, averaging $147 a month for boarding and $245 for groomers and sitters
- Professional liability: MoneyGeek lists it for grooming errors, and Insureon says trainers pay about $61 a month for errors and omissions
- Cyber: averages $129 to $145 a month for pet businesses, per Insureon
- Pet shops: JMG says shop owners with a BOP pay about $174 a month
What Should You Check Before Buying?
- Animal bailee wording: confirm it covers injury, illness, escape and death in your care
- Limits: $1M/$2M is the usual baseline
- Services listed: boarding, daycare, training and grooming may each need disclosure
- Employees: workers’ comp rules apply once you hire
- Vehicle use: add commercial auto for pickup and drop-off
How Does This Connect to Other Cover?
Pet health is covered in Pet Insurance Explained and bites in Dog Bite Liability Insurance Explained. Business bundles are in Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) Explained, workers’ comp in Workers’ Compensation Insurance Explained, and vehicles in Commercial Auto Insurance Explained. Similar salon cover is in Hair Salon and Barbershop Insurance Explained.
FAQ
Does general liability cover pets in my care?
No. The care, custody and control exclusion removes it.
What is animal bailee cover?
An endorsement that pays for injury or loss of a client’s pet in your care.
How much does boarding insurance cost?
About $53 a month for general liability and $92 for a BOP, per Insureon.
What do groomers pay?
About $50 a month for general liability and $80 for a BOP.
What limits are typical?
$1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate.
Do pet sitters need workers’ comp?
Insureon reports an average of $102 a month once they have employees.
Do pet shops need different cover?
They commonly use a BOP, averaging about $174 a month per JMG.
Glossary
- Care, custody and control exclusion: a clause removing cover for property in your care.
- Animal bailee: cover for animals held in your care.
- BOP: a business owner’s policy bundling liability and property.
- Endorsement: an add-on to a policy.
- Aggregate limit: the annual maximum a policy pays.
Sources
- Insureon: Pet Boarding and Dog Day Care Insurance Cost ($53, $92, $124 monthly averages)
- Insureon: Dog and Pet Grooming Insurance Cost ($50, $80, $88 monthly averages)
- Insureon: Dog and Pet Sitting Insurance Cost ($42, $59, $102 monthly averages)
- Insureon: Mobile Dog and Pet Grooming Insurance Cost ($65, $80, $97 monthly averages)
- Insureon: Dog and Pet Training Insurance Cost ($41, $71, $84; E&O $61)
- Insureon: Pet Care Business Insurance Cost (distribution of premiums, cyber and auto)
- Insureon: Pet Care Business Insurance (animal bailee explanation)
- JMG: Pet Shop Insurance Cost ($174 BOP, $1M/$2M limits)
- MoneyGeek: Dog Grooming Business Insurance Cost ($213 package, provider range)
Related reading: Exotic Pet Insurance Explained · Umbrella Insurance Explained · Equine Liability Insurance Explained
Published October 2026. Prices and plan terms vary by insurer and change often; always read the care, custody and control exclusion and the animal bailee wording, and refresh this article periodically. Most cost data comes from insurance sellers, so compare independently.
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