insurance for pet sitter
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Join Business Insurers of the Carolinas in celebrating Professional Pet Sitters Week! Professional Pet Sitters Week was introduced by Pet Sitters International (PSI) in 1995 and takes place annually the first full week of March. This annual observance honors professional pet-care providers, seeks to educate the pet-owning public about the advantages of professional in-home pet care, and encourages pet-loving entrepreneurs to explore professional pet sitting as a viable career.
Seems like every week or two I read a headline online about a pet sitter or dog walker claim that makes me pause and say "he or she did what?" Fortunately, many of these are not claims from PSI members, but they do get people's attention and also give the pet-sitting industry a bad wrap. And unfortunately, there have been a few claims from PSI members that are similar from which we can all learn. So for this briefing, let's take a look at some of the Do's and Don't's when it comes to being a true professional pet sitter. And if you utilize employees or independent contractors in your business, I highly recommend sharing this information with them so you can prevent future claims like this in your business.
Professional vs Hobbyist - Are YOU Insured and Can You Explain Your Pet Business Insurance?
As the Pet Sitting world evolves, there seem to be more and more people coming into the field looking to make a quick buck, without realizing the importance of covering all their exposures if something were to go wrong. It's amazing to me how online registries advertise to pet owners and pet care providers that they offer Premium Insurance using terms such as Peace of Mind and Exceptional Insurance Coverage, yet when you read the fine print there appears to be a lot of gaps. Is anyone reading the fine print on these sites or obtaining a copy of the actual policy—pet care providers or pet owners? Granted, the fine print isn't always easy to decipher...but with lives, homes, and treasured possessions at stake one would think definitive explanations about exposures and coverages would be a must for all involved! As a professionally operating pet-sitting service, you have taken the important step of obtaining quality business insurance. This distinguishes you from the hobbyist pet sitter who either doesn't carry it or takes someone's word that they are insured—but if asked by a pet owner, could you explain what you have in place to protect them—and your business—if the question is posed?
Let's examine the different coverage all Professional Pet Sitters should maintain to be adequately covered, and where most hobbyists seem to fall short on coverage.
"Why must I be a member of PSI or another association to obtain discounted insurance through Business Insurers of the Carolinas?"
We often get this question when pet sitters and dog walkers contact our agency looking to purchase or renew their insurance and/or bonding. Since this affects all PSI members and prospective members, I would like to share with you why and how our pet sitter liability insurance program was born so that everyone has a better understanding of our policy and why active association membership is mandated to receive the most affordable rates we can offer. The model we were built on back in the early 90's has allowed us to greatly enhance our product offerings over the years and is fundamental to the continuity of all our agency association programs.
Just as health care for humans is always advancing, so is health care for your pets. Here are some of the latest hot topics in pet care!