Dog Boarding Insurance: What You Need to Know

Dog boarding is a growing service industry as more pet owners now work outside the home full-time. But as a dog boarding business owner or operator, you need to consider protecting yourself from potential liabilities with the right insurance coverage. This comprehensive guide will help you understand what dog boarding insurance is, why it’s important, and what types of policies are available.

Understanding Your Risks as a Dog Boarding Business

As a dog boarding facility, you are responsible for the well-being of other people’s pets while they are in your care. No matter how careful you are, accidents can still happen. Some common risks dog boarders face include:

• Injury or illness to a boarded dog: Dogs can get into fights with each other, slip and fall, or become ill from contagious diseases while boarding. You may be liable if a dog is injured on your property.
• Dog bite claims: Even friendly dogs can bite or scratch in stressful situations. Owners may sue if their pet bites or injures another animal or person while boarding.
• Property damage: Excited or anxious dogs may injure themselves escaping from kennels or crates. They could also cause property damage by chewing on fences, gates, or structural parts of your facility.
• Loss of a boarded dog: There is always a small risk that a dog may escape and run away from your facility, no matter how secure you try to keep them. Owners expect reimbursement if a dog cannot be found.
• Lawsuits from injuries to humans: Boarding facility employees and even dog owners themselves could potentially suffer bites, slips and falls, or other injuries on your property due to the presence of dogs.

With potential liability claims in the tens of thousands of dollars, it’s crucial for any dog boarding business to protect themselves financially with adequate insurance coverage. that is why having a Dog Boarding Insurance is vital should this events happen.

Types of Insurance Coverage for Dog Boarders

There are a few different types of dog boarding insurance policies that provide protection for dog boarding facilities:

Commercial General Liability Insurance

General liability insurance is absolutely essential for any dog boarding business. This covers your legal obligation to pay for third-party claims of bodily injury and property damage unrelated to the dog itself. Common scenarios it defends against include employee injuries, slips and falls by customers on your property, and liability resulting from other business operations.

Most liability policies have coverage limits of at least $1 million per incident and $2 million aggregate. Make sure your policy specifically lists “dog boarding” or “kennel services” as an insured activity. Additional endorsements may also be needed to cover certain risks.

Professional Liability/Errors & Omissions Insurance

Also called E&O insurance, this protects you against lawsuits due to negligent acts, errors, omissions or misconduct related to your professional services – in this case, boarding or handling dogs. Examples include inadequate care that led to an injury, failure to properly isolate a contagious dog, or releasing a dog to the wrong owner.

Look for a policy with limits of $1 million per claim and $2 million aggregate minimum.

Dog Boarding Insurance or Pet Care Professional Liability Insurance

As a specialized type of E&O coverage, this specifically insures the professional services of any dog boarding, pet care or kennel business. In addition to negligence claims, it also protects against injuries caused by dogs in your care such as bites. This is ideal for dog boarders and ideally provides at least $1 million per occurrence.

Veterinary Care Insurance

This reimburses you for veterinary bills if a boarded dog is injured or becomes ill while in your care. Limits may apply to individual claims but it covers costs your boarding agreement may obligate you to pay for. Some facilities offer this as part of their services to customers.

Employee Dishonesty Insurance

Sadly, employee theft does sometimes occur even at boarding kennels. This covers financial losses from theft or fraud by employees such as embezzlement of customer payments.

Property/Casualty Insurance

As with any commercial operation, you need property insurance to rebuild or repair your facility if damaged by perils like fire, wind, or flooding. Casualty insurance covers losses or liability due to other mishaps on your property.

Additional Considerations for Dog Boarders

Proper coverage is just one part of risk management – here are some supplemental best practices:

Boarding Agreement/Waiver

Have owners sign an agreement clarifying terms of boarding, services provided, expected care responsibilities, and limitations on your liability. It’s also wise to include a liability waiver.

Comprehensive Screening

Thoroughly screen dogs for behavior/temperament and vaccinations before boarding acceptance. Isolating aggressive dogs protects all involved.

Staff Training

Employees should understand dog body language, care protocols, emergency procedures and how to properly and safely handle dogs of all sizes.

Safety Precautions

Well-maintained fences, locks, gates, and kennel/crate quality help prevent escapes and injuries. Carefully control noise, animal numbers in common play areas, and minimize stress factors.

Insuring Your Dog Boarding Business

With the right multi-faceted insurance program addressing risks, vetting processes and preventive measures, you can provide excellent boarding services while still protecting yourself financially. Consult reputable agents experienced with specialty pet business policies to get tailored advice for your needs. Well-informed insurance choices ultimately safeguard your liability – and allow you to focus fully on the well-being of dogs in your boarding care.