How Much is Dog Walking Insurance?

Introduction

How much is dog walking insurance? This is an important question to consider if you are a professional dog walker. Dog walking comes with inherent risks that make liability and accident insurance essential. How much is dog walking insurance depends on your location, experience, revenue, and coverage limits. While costs vary, expect annual premiums between $500 and $2,000. Understanding what impacts the price and how to get affordable coverage allows you to protect your growing dog walking business.

Why Dog Walkers Need Insurance?

As a dog walker, you enter clients’ homes and assume responsibility for beloved pets. Without insurance, you are financially vulnerable for injuries, damages, and lawsuits related to your services including:

• Dog bites or scratches
• Slips, falls, and traffic accidents
• Theft of a dog under your care
• Loss or damage to client property
• Alleged negligence or failure to render services

Dog walking insurance provides vital protection by covering liability claims, medical bills, legal fees, and other costs. The right policy gives you peace of mind so you can focus on providing quality care and growing your business.

Keep reading: Can You Put Life Insurance on a Dog?

Types of Dog Walking Insurance

Two main policies offer coverage specific to professional dog walkers:

Business Owner’s Insurance

A business owner’s policy (BOP) bundles general liability, property damage, loss of income, and other common business insurance together. It covers:

• Liability for injuries, damages, and lawsuits
• Medical payments for injuries to others
• Damage to a client’s property in your care
• Lost income if you cannot operate due to a covered claim
• Equipment like leads, toys, cleaning supplies
• Commercial auto insurance

Liability limits of $1 million to $2 million give adequate protection. Expect to pay $500 to $1,500 annually depending on your location and coverage limits.

Professional Liability Insurance

Also called errors and omissions or E&O coverage, this insurance protects against negligence claims alleging mistakes in your professional services. It covers:

• Lawsuits claiming your actions harmed a client or pet
• Legal defense and settlement costs
• Wrongful acts and omissions resulting in damages

Typical coverage limits range from $500,000 to $1 million. Annual premiums start around $300.

What Impacts the Cost?

When considering how much is dog walking insurance, several factors determine the price:

• Location – Urban areas and lawsuit-prone states cost more.
• Experience – New dog walkers pay higher premiums until they establish a claims history.
• Revenue – More earned income requires higher coverage limits.
• Coverage limits – Higher liability and medical payment maximums cost more.
• Deductibles – Choosing a lower deductible increases the premium.
• Discounts – Bundling policies and paying annually upfront provide savings.
• Claims history – Previous losses raise your risk profile.

How Much is Dog Walking Insurance: Cost Examples

Here are some examples of potential annual premiums based on different risk profiles:

Keep reading: Can I Use My Insurance For My Dog?

New dog walker in Los Angeles, CA

Coverage	Limit	Premium
General liability	$1 million	$800
Professional liability	$500,000	$350
Medical payments	$5,000	$150
Total Premium	–	$1,300

Established dog walker in Austin, TX

Coverage	Limit	Premium
General liability	$1 million	$600
Professional liability	$1 million	$400
Medical payments	$10,000	$200
Total Premium	–	$1,200

Full-time dog walker in Milwaukee, WI

Coverage	Limit	Premium
General liability	$2 million	$900
Professional liability	$1 million	$500
Medical payments	$5,000	$100
Total Premium	–	$1,500

Premiums often fall between $1,000 and $2,000 for typical coverage. But getting quotes is the best way to find out exactly how much is dog walking insurance for your particular situation.

Top Insurance Providers for Dog Walkers

Many top insurance companies offer customized coverage for dog walkers:

• Progressive – Offers business owner’s policies starting at $27/month.
• Hiscox – Specializes in small business and dog walker insurance.
• Embroker – Online insurance broker with dog walker policies starting at $467/year.
• Pet Sitters Associates – Provides coverage tailored for pet care professionals.
• Insureon – Quotes from 30+ top carriers like Progressive, Travelers, The Hartford.
• CoverWallet – Gets rates from many leading insurers.

Shop around to find the most affordable coverage for your dog walking business.

What Dog Walking Insurance Won’t Cover

It’s also important to know what standard policies do not include such as:

• Pre-existing or chronic conditions in dogs under your care
• Dogs not current on vaccines and preventative treatments
• Banned breeds often excluded from coverage
• Theft of an unattended dog from a vehicle
• Dogs off-leash and unsupervised in an open area
• Your equipment and personal property
• Intentional incidents or criminal acts
• Illness or injury to a dog not caused directly by you

Understanding exclusions helps you prevent issues that could lead to denied claims.

Tips to Get the Best Rates

Follow these tips to find the lowest premiums when comparing how much is dog walking insurance:

• Ask about bundling discounts for combining business policies under one insurer
• See if you qualify for any new business, training, or association member discounts
• Select higher deductibles on liability and medical payments to lower the base rate
• Limit coverage to working hours only if you don’t need protection for off-work activities
• Purchase supplemental policies like workers’ comp once you start hiring employees
• Maintain rigorous safety protocols for the dogs in your care
• Get quotes from multiple top insurers to find the best rate

Why Dog Walkers Need Insurance?

How much is dog walking insurance? While costs vary, premiums are usually affordable compared to the protection you gain. Going without adequate insurance puts your business and personal finances at risk. Just one serious claim could far exceed the annual cost of coverage. Investing in the right liability and E&O policy helps ensure your business can survive challenges.

In summary, annual premiums for dog walkers typically range from $500 to $2,000 depending on your risk profile and coverage limits. Shop around with leading insurers to see specific rates. Prioritize buying customized business owner’s and professional liability policies so you can operate with confidence. With the proper insurance, you can grow your dog walking company successfully knowing you have transferred the financial risks.

References:

Dog Walker Insurance: What’s Covered, What’s Not & Average Costs – HomeGuide

Dog Walker Insurance: Everything You Need to Know – Pet Business Insurance

Dog Walker Insurance: How Much Does It Cost and What Does It Cover? – Fit Small Business

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