Bodily Injury
What Is Bodily Injury?
Bodily injury means a person got physically hurt (think a cut, broken bones, or illness). If your work caused that injury, your insurance can help pay for their medical bills and your legal costs.
Think of it as the people side of your liability coverage. Animal Bailee handles injuries to pets in your care, Property Damage covers harm to other people’s stuff, and Bodily Injury covers injuries to people.
- Protects your wallet: Even minor accidents can cost thousands in medical and legal bills
- Helps you win jobs: Many clients and landlords require proof of bodily injury coverage before they’ll hire or rent to you
- Covers common risks: Slip‑and‑falls, dog bites, and knock‑downs happen fast
- Includes your defense: If you’re sued, your insurance usually pays for a lawyer, even if the claim isn’t your fault
Pro tip: Bodily injury coverage is included in most general liability policies, and in every Pet Care Insurance (PCI) policy. That means you don’t have to buy it separately.
What Bodily Injury Liability Covers
Here are a few everyday situations where bodily injury protection could apply:
- A dog you’re walking lunges at a passerby. They fall and sprain their ankle.
- A client slips on a wet spot in your grooming space and breaks a hip.
- A leash snaps during a group training session, and someone is knocked over.
Remember, bodily injury covers clients and bystanders, not you or your employees. Work injuries are usually covered by Workers Compensation.
What Bodily Injury Insurance Doesn’t Cover
There are many ways a person or animal you interact with could be hurt while you’re on the job, so it’s essential to know when bodily injury doesn’t apply, too.
Swipe →
| Situation | Is It Bodily Injury? | Covered By |
|---|---|---|
|
Dog knocks down a jogger |
Yes |
General Liability (Bodily Injury) |
|
Client trips on uneven floor in daycare |
Yes |
General Liability (Bodily Injury) |
|
Dog bites a passerby during training |
Often yes |
General Liability (Bodily Injury) |
|
Dog eats toxic plant on your watch |
No (not a person) |
|
|
Dog in your care bites another dog |
No (not a person) |
General Liability (Property Damage) |
|
Injuries from a fender‑bender in pet taxi |
Not under General Liability |
|
|
Employee strains back lifting a pet crate |
Not under General Liability |
|
|
A competitor sues for hurting their reputation in your marketing |
No (not physical) |
General Liability (Personal & Advertising Injury) |
Pro tip: Bodily injury always means harm to a person. Pets are considered property under the law (we know, it’s a head-tilter), which is why their injuries fall under different coverages.
If you’re ever unsure how your insurance would cover an injury to a person or an animal, check your policy wording or ask your insurer. PCI’s team of friendly, licensed agents is always happy to help.
Keep Sniffing Around
- General Liability
- Property Damage
- Animal Bailee
- Medical Payments
- Workers’ Compensation
- Personal & Advertising Injury
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