Yes, we read the comments.
Has a “wait, but what if….?” question about your pet business ever popped into your head and started pawing away? You’re not alone. Pet care rarely fits into neat boxes, which is exactly why it can be so hard to get clear answers to your pet care insurance questions.
So let’s change that.
We pulled together all the questions you’ve been asking on Pet Care Insurance (PCI) social media channels from 2025 through January 2026. All 783 of them.
Because, if you’ve asked it, chances are good that someone else did, too. Here are answers to your most common questions, in everyday language.
“Does This Actually Cover What I Do?”: Pet Service FAQs
Pet care work looks different for everyone, which is why some version of this question was the most-asked by far (about 35% of your comments).
Many pet pros offer multiple services, work part-time, or give care that doesn’t fit neatly under one service label like “dog grooming” or “pet sitting.” Naturally, they wonder if their coverage is really built for the way they work.
Here are your most commonly asked questions.
Do I need multiple policies if I offer more than one type of pet service?
It’s common to be a dog walker who also pet sits or a grooming salon that also boards. We get that it’s how you work, so we design our policies to cover multiple services at once.
All PCI policies are built to protect you for pet services with the same or a lower level (or “tier”) of risk. It’s much simpler than it sounds. Choose the policy that matches your highest-risk service, and it can also cover some similar or less risky services.
| If you offer… | Then you need… | Starts at… |
|---|---|---|
|
Tier 1: Dog walking |
$14.58/month |
|
|
Tier 2: Anything from Tier 1, plus Dog grooming |
$23.03/month |
|
|
Tier 3: Anything from Tier 1 and 2, plus: Pet sitting Doggy daycare |
$26.10/month |
Tier 1:
Dog walking
Waste removal
Basic grooming (bathing and brushing)
Basic training (sit, stay, and come)
OR
Starts at: $14.58/month
Tier 2:
Anything from Tier 1, plus
Dog grooming
Cat grooming
OR
Starts at: $23.03/month
Tier 3: Anything from Tier 1 and 2, plus:
Pet sitting
Drop-in visits
Doggy daycare
Daytime boarding for 10 pets or less
Overnight boarding for 5 pets or less
Pet ground transportation
Pet air transportation
Advanced pet training
OR
OR
OR
OR
OR
Starts at: $26.10/month
Note: Some activities are excluded from coverage. Always check your policy, or just ask if you’re unsure.
Does PCI only cover Rover or Wag sitters?
Nope. While we do cover Rover and Wag pet sitters, dog walkers, and more, PCI also covers solo pet care providers, pet care businesses, and pet service franchises. Coverage is designed for pet pros, whether you work independently, through a platform, or a mix of both.
Interested in how PCI coverage protects you while working with apps like Rover and Wag? It’s a common question, so we have a lot of resources on this topic (maybe that’s why you wondered if we were platform-exclusive). Here’s some extra help:
Does this coverage apply if I’m part-time or in training?
Yes. You don’t have to be full-time or have years of experience to need protection. Many part-time and side-hustling pet pros choose coverage early (even during training) to focus on growing their business or practicing worry-free.
Coverage can also give legitimacy to a new business, showing that pet care is serious for you, not just a hobby.
What if my pet care work doesn’t fit perfectly into one of your categories?
If your work looks a little different, that’s normal! PCI is designed with flexibility in mind, and our team is always happy to talk through your specific situation. Here are some of the most common questions:
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
|
Do you cover foster-based rescues and animal fostering coordinators? |
Usually no. Because fostering is typically a volunteer activity (and coordinating is less about direct pet care), this coverage often isn’t the right fit. Talk to our support team for help finding the right policy or covering other services that do qualify, like pet sitting. |
|
Do you cover pet pros who both sit and transport animals? |
Yes! Either Pet Sitter Insurance or a Pet Taxi Insurance would cover you for both. We’d also recommend Commercial Auto Insurance if you’re planning to drive for work. |
|
Do you cover hosts offering pet experiences or rentals, like Sniffspot? |
PCI policies are designed to cover pet services you perform. So that’s usually a yes to a dog walker offering excursions to hiking trails, or a dog daycare with a playroom operated by staff. But we usually wouldn’t cover your liability for renting out a pool or dog gym you own.
|
|
Do you cover sitters, walkers, and trainers who work independently and through online platforms? |
Yes! If you run your own pet service and also work as a contractor for an online platform, we can cover your care for clients from both places. |
- Do you cover foster-based rescues and animal fostering coordinators? Usually no. Because fostering is typically a volunteer activity (and coordinating is less about direct pet care), this coverage often isn’t the right fit. Talk to our support team for help finding the right policy or covering other services that do qualify, like pet sitting.
- Do you cover pet pros who both sit and transport animals? Yes! Pet Taxi Insurance or Pet Sitting Insurance would cover you for both. We’d also recommend Commercial Auto Insurance if you’re planning to drive for work to cover your risk of car accidents and property damage.
- Do you cover hosts offering pet experiences or rentals, like Sniffspot? PCI policies are designed to cover pet services you perform. So that’s usually a yes to a dog walker offering excursions to hiking trails, or a dog daycare with a playroom operated by staff. But we usually wouldn’t cover your liability for renting out a pool or dog gym you own.
- Do you cover sitters, walkers, and trainers who work independently and through online platforms? Yes! If you run your own pet service and also work as a contractor for an online platform, we can cover your care for clients from both places.
Are my add-on services and upsells (like overnight care, administering meds) covered?
It depends on the service, but PCI coverage is designed to be extremely flexible. These answers address the add-on services we got asked about the most:
- Overnight care: Yes, we can cover overnight care. Just make sure you’re not boarding more than five pets at a time overnight or for longer than 30 days in a row.
- Administering meds: Yes, we can cover giving pets their medications under any PCI general liability policy. Your policy also includes up to $1,000 in Veterinarian Reimbursement per incident if something goes wrong with a dosage or medication mix-up.
- Transporting pets: Yes, we can cover pet taxi and transportation services. We also recommend Commercial Auto Coverage. Many pet pros don’t realize this, but your personal auto insurance may not pay if you’re driving for work and get into an accident.
The Bottom Line
You don’t have to be “just one thing” to have pet business insurance that makes sense. PCI exists to support the way pet care actually works, not force you into a box that doesn’t fit.
If you’re not sure whether one of your pet services is covered, just ask! Start a chat on our website for quick answers to basic questions, or talk to one of our licensed customer support agents for help understanding or tailoring a policy. Just give us a call, send us an email, or start a chat. Here’s how to contact PCI support.
“But What If Something Goes Wrong?”: Pet Care Scenarios
If you work with animals, you’ve probably run through a few “what if” scenarios in your head after a near miss (or a few hours of doomscrolling). That doesn’t mean you expect the worst. It means you care deeply about pets and want to be prepared if something unexpected happens.
Here are the most common versions of that question we see.
What if a pet gets sick or injured while in my care?
This is one of the biggest worries pet care professionals have, and it’s also something your policy is designed to handle. Every PCI policy includes these two key coverages at no extra cost:
- Pet Protection Coverage (aka Animal Bailee): Covers you if a pet gets sick, injured, lost, or even dies while in your care. It offers up to $5,000 in coverage per year to help cover costs like medical bills, legal expenses, and more.
- Veterinarian Reimbursement: Designed to reimburse out-of-pocket costs for eligible vet bills if a client’s pet needs emergency care. It offers up to $2,500 of coverage for the policy year.
Check out our Pet Protection Coverage and Veterinarian Reimbursement pages for real stories of animal injuries we’ve covered for pet pros like you.
What if a dog slips out the door or gets away on a walk?
Escapes are scary, and accidents happen, even to careful pet pros. PCI coverage supports you when a pet under your care, custody, or control gets away. Pet Protection Coverage is designed to help with costs related to lost pets, like search expenses, lawsuits for negligent care, and more.
Having insurance can’t stop accidents, but it can take the panic out of an already stressful moment.
What if someone gets bitten, scratched, or hurt by a pet in my care?
Any job involving animals comes with a risk of injury, even with well-trained pets. General Liability Insurance exists to protect you if someone else gets hurt in connection with your pet care. Your policy offers up to $100,000 per incident and $200,000 per year for injuries caused by animals in your care. That applies to pet-on-person and pet-on-pet scenarios.
There are two important things to understand about how it applies:
- This is coverage for clients and bystanders, not you or your employees. Workers Compensation is designed to cover employees for on-the-job injuries, and personal health insurance can protect you if you get hurt.
- We can’t cover pets with a history of aggression. That means dogs that have injured someone before or have a “dangerous dog” designation from local authorities. It’s why asking clients for a bite history is so important to keep yourself, your employees, and other pets in your care safe.
What if I accidentally damage a client’s home or stuff?
Scratched floors, a broken vase, or a stained sofa can happen during everyday pet care visits, even if you’re careful. Here’s how to protect yourself from paying repair or replacement bill out of pocket with insurance:
- General Liability Insurance helps pay for damage to permanent parts of the client’s property (like their home itself, windows and doors, their yard and driveway, etc.) It comes with every PCI policy.
- Broadened Property Damage Coverage is a smart add-on if you work in spaces you don’t own. This coverage can protect you against damage to a client’s stuff (belongings in their home or yard, like furniture, rugs, and outdoor decor). This applies whether you or a pet in your care does the damage.
The Bottom Line
Asking these questions about pet business insurance doesn’t make you pessimistic. It makes you responsible. PCI exists to back you up when real life doesn’t follow the script, so you can focus on pets instead of stressing over worst-case scenarios.
“Where Does My Coverage Apply?”: Protection by Location
Pet care rarely happens in just one place. You’re walking dogs around the neighborhood, staying in clients’ houses, leading classes at the community center, and driving to mobile grooming appointments. You may even work in multiple cities, counties, or states.
That’s why questions about where your coverage follows you (and where it doesn’t) come up so often. The good news is that PCI coverage follows you just about anywhere.
Am I covered when I’m working in a client’s home?
Yes. Many pet pros are in and out of clients’ homes for pickups, drop-offs, and on-site services like in-home pet sitting, training, and grooming. Coverage applies when you’re in a client’s space doing the pet care work you’ve been hired to do.
If you’re specifically worried about damaging a client’s stuff, get Broadened Property Damage Coverage. This can cover the costs if Muffin throws up on the client’s bedding during your drop-in, or you accidentally break their robotic litter box.
Am I covered when clients’ pets are in my home?
Your liability insurance is designed to support pet care in your home. So, if a pet gets sick or hurt while staying with you, your Pet Protection Coverage and Veterinarian Reimbursement would still apply to help with costs like emergency care and claims.
If watching pets in your home is your main service, Pet Boarders Insurance is for you. This policy is specifically tailored for everything from home doggy daycare activities to overnight stays. If you ever buy a facility or rent a storefront, your coverage can follow you there, too.
Does my coverage follow me between jobs or locations?
Yes. Coverage isn’t tied to a single visit or a specific address. It follows you as you move between pet care jobs. For example:
- Pet Taxi Insurance can still pay for animal injuries if you get into a car accident.
- Mobile Pet Groomer Insurance protects you whether you’re working in a client’s house or in your van.
- Dog Walker Insurance follows you from hiking trails to the dog park and back.
Want to extend your coverage even further to your mobile equipment or vehicle? These add-ons help protect your investment on the go:
- Equipment and Inventory Coverage can reimburse you if you drop your work phone on a walk, someone steals your work tablet at the airport, or your crates get smashed in a car accident.
- Commercial Auto Insurance is designed to cover your pooper scooper truck, mobile grooming van, or pet taxi against vehicle-related property damage, medical bills, and other risks of the road.
Does PCI cover pet businesses in my state?
Yes! PCI policies are available in all 50 states.
Am I covered if I work in more than one city or state?
As long as you’re providing covered pet services, every PCI policy is built to support you in all 50 states and U.S. territories. We’ll ask for your business address in your application, but that’s not the only place where you’re covered.
The Bottom Line
Pets are constantly on the move, and so is your business. PCI policies are designed to support the way pet pros actually work by not limiting your coverage by location.
“What Kinds of Pets Are Covered?”: Animals Covered by PCI
Pet care isn’t limited to just dogs and cats (even if they make up the majority of your appointments). Plenty of pet professionals specialize in services beyond basic sitting and walking, like specialized care for less common pets.
Here’s a quick snapshot of which animals are typically covered, and which aren’t.
| Covered | Not Covered |
|---|---|
|
Dogs and cats |
Farm animals and livestock (horses, pigs, cows, sheep, etc.) |
|
Rodents (pet rats, mice, hamsters, chinchillas, etc.) |
Wildlife not commonly kept as pets (foxes, wolves, bobcats, boa constrictors, etc.) |
|
Common companion animals like rabbits, fish, hedgehogs, ferrets |
Animals used for breeding purposes (pet sitting for a breeder) |
|
Birds (cockatoos, canaries, parrots, etc.) |
Animals kept for commercial purposes (private zoo or petting zoo animals, etc) |
|
Common pet reptiles and amphibians (iguanas, axolotls, turtles, etc.) |
Venomous or poisonous animals (poisonous frogs, venomous snakes and lizards, scorpions, etc.) |
This isn’t a comprehensive list. Check our exclusions page, or ask if you have questions about a specific pet. We’ll address a few common questions here.
Is PCI just for dogs and cats?
Dogs and cats are the most common, but they’re not the only animals pet pros care for. To reflect that, PCI covers pet care services for most pet animals owned for companionship and not commercial reasons. See the table above for some examples of animals that would be considered common pets.
Is equine care covered by pet business insurance?
PCI doesn’t cover equine care at this time. Horses and other farm or breeding animals come with different risks than small-animal care. We want to be clear about what we cover and don’t, so you can get the right policy to protect yourself, horses, and horse owners.
Are exotics and specialty animals covered?
Sometimes. Exotic pets often raise extra insurance questions because they require specialized knowledge and care. Check the table above or ask one of our customer service agents if you don’t see the pet you want to care for on the list.
The Bottom Line
Every pet professional should have peace of mind while they work. PCI is designed to support a wide range of pet services, including furry, scaly, and feathery clients. Even though we can’t cover everything, we’re always here to help you understand how your specific work fits your coverage options.
“I Need Proof of Insurance…Like Now”: All About Your Insurance Documents
If you’ve ever been asked for proof of insurance on short notice and panicked, you’re definitely not the only one. Many pet caregivers only realize they need documentation when a client, landlord, online platform, or property manager asks for it. And usually, they expect it fast.
Here are your biggest questions about how to download and update your certificate of insurance (COI).
How fast can I get a certificate of insurance?
It takes 10 minutes or less to buy a PCI policy and download your certificate of insurance. Here’s how it works:
- Start an application for coverage.
- Answer a few basic questions about your business.
- Pick the types of coverage you want.
- Buy your policy.
And that’s it. You’ll be able to access and download your COI instantly at checkout.
If you already have a PCI policy, you can update or download your COI 24/7 through your user dashboard.
How do I add a client or landlord to my policy as an additional insured?
Just follow these directions or watch this How to Add Additional Insureds video to update your policy:
- Log in to your user dashboard.
- Go to the Manage Policy section and click on Add Additional Insured.
- Fill in the information about your additional insured.
- Pay the $10 additional insured fee. Now you can add unlimited additional insureds for the rest of the policy year.
Will PCI satisfy insurance requirements for my landlord, client, or platform?
Yes! PCI policies are designed to meet the standard business insurance requirements for most building managers, venues, pet care clients, employers, and online pet care platforms.
Need higher limits or special wording in your policy to score a contract? Our customer service agents can assist with adding policy language like employee dishonesty coverage (aka bonding), additional insureds, and other special requests.
The Bottom Line
Needing proof of insurance often comes with tight deadlines and added stress. And that’s especially true if it’s the first time you’re dealing with COIs and additional insureds.
PCI’s goal is to make that part of running your business easier. You have 24/7 online access to your COI and an affordable, easy process to add additional insureds through your dashboard.
“How Much Does Coverage Cost, and Is It Worth It?”: General Insurance Questions
Questions about pet care insurance value to costs are completely fair. You’re likely juggling tight margins, an unpredictable schedule, and a growing business. Wanting to understand the price and purpose of insurance before committing a chunk of your budget makes sense.
Here are your most-asked insurance questions.
How much does Pet Care Insurance cost?
Pet business insurance from PCI starts at $14.58/month, but your cost depends on your service, business size, which add-ons you choose, and your past claims history. Our dog walker insurance cost breakdown explains how much each type of coverage costs and factors that can affect your price.
Here are the starting costs for all our pet business policies:
- Dog walkers and pooper scoopers: $14.58/month or $154/year
- Pet Groomers: $23.03/month or $255.40/year
- Pet and house sitters, pet boarders, doggy daycares, pet trainers, and pet taxis: $26.10/month or $292.20/year
Can I pay monthly, or do I have to pay all at once?
You can make monthly payments or an annual payment at PCI. Which plan is best for you just depends on the way you work:
- Monthly payments equal bite-sized costs now. Monthly payments break your insurance cost into smaller installments. There’s a recurring $2 fee for monthly payments.
- Annual payments equal savings over time. Since there’s no recurring fee if you pay upfront, you can save about 13% on your yearly insurance costs by going with an annual plan.
Do I really need insurance if nothing has gone wrong yet?
Yes! Here’s why pet professionals need liability insurance:
- Clients prefer insured pet pros: In a recent PCI survey of pet owners, 80% said they’re more likely to hire a pet professional with liability insurance.
- Insurance proves you’re a pro: Show pet owners that your pet care is professional, qualified, and reliable, not just a hobby, with pet business insurance.
- Pets are unpredictable: A split-second accident can easily result in a medical bill, property damage, lawsuit, or pet injury costing thousands or more.
- The cost of skipping insurance may actually be higher: PCI’s average payout for a pet sitter insurance claim is $1,758. Having even one average-sized claim during six years of insured pet care means your insurance will have paid for itself.
The Bottom Line
Pet care insurance is an investment in peace of mind. It helps protect the business you’re building and supports you when things don’t go as planned. We know your budget is tight, so we keep costs affordable, payments flexible, and coverage reliable.
“What Happens If I Actually Need Help?”: How Claims Work
No one signs up for insurance hoping to use it. But knowing support is there in case of an accident makes a big difference in your confidence when caring for pets and running a business.
These are the pet care insurance questions we usually hear about how to use your policy.
How does the claims process work?
If an accident happens during your pet care, notify PCI as soon as you can. Here’s what the claims process looks like:
- Log in to your user dashboard
- Go to the “Manage Policies” section
- Click “File a Claim”
- Fill out the form with details of what happened and submit
It’s that easy. A licensed customer service agent from our team will typically reach out within 24 to 48 hours to talk about next steps.
Can I talk to a real person if I have questions?
Absolutely! If you’re already stressed, talking to a person matters. PCI has a full-time team of U.S.-based, licensed customer support agents ready to talk to you over the phone or email. These are real people with experience in pet care insurance, so they understand your situation and how to help.
Contact us Monday through Friday 6:00 am to 6:00 pm Mountain Time to talk to a support agent. Have a quick question or need an after-hours answer? Ask the chatbot on our site, or send us an email.
What kind of support do you offer beyond the policy?
PCI is here to support your pet care journey from cart to claim and beyond. We want to help you become a safer, more informed pet care provider with access to our customer support team and tons of online resources:
- Talk to a support agent for help managing your policy, dealing with claims, or updating coverage to grow with your business. Every agent on our team is licensed, trained on PCI policies, and based in the U.S.
- Explore free resources like the Pet Care Insurance Glossary, or the client agreement examples in your user dashboard.
- Read our blog for help starting, running, and expanding a pet business, plus freebies for everything from setting your rates to writing a pet business plan.
- Join our newsletter for pet care industry news and stats, plus PCI community updates every other month.
The Bottom Line
If you ever need help, we don’t leave you guessing. PCI has your back not just while you’re buying a policy, but through the everyday ups and downs of pet care and growing a business.
You Take Care of Pets. We Take Care of You.
If there’s one thing to take away, it’s this. The questions you’re asking are normal. They’re thoughtful. And they come from wanting to do right by the pets and people who trust you.
Pet care can be unpredictable, emotional, difficult, and deeply rewarding (often all in the same day). We’re proud to work with pet professionals like you who take their responsibility seriously. And we’re just as proud to be your backup behind the scenes, so you don’t have to carry everything on your own.
If you still have pet care insurance questions after reading this, that’s okay. Many of the best conversations start with “What about my specific situation?” We’re always happy to talk it through, answer questions, and come up with a coverage plan that helps you feel confident.
Kyle Jude | Program Manager
Kyle Jude is the Program Manager for PCI, where he helps design and maintain liability coverage specifically for pet professionals. With 10+ years of insurance industry experience, he works closely with carriers, underwriters, and compliance teams to ensure PCI coverage stays accurate, responsive, and relevant to real-world risks. At home, he puts that same expertise to use wrangling his four beloved dogs
Kyle Jude is the Program Manager for PCI, where he helps design and maintain liability coverage specifically for pet professionals. With 10+ years of insurance industry experience, he works closely with carriers, underwriters, and compliance teams to ensure PCI coverage stays accurate, responsive, and relevant to real-world risks. At home, he puts that same expertise to use wrangling his four beloved dogs
