What Kind of Insurance Do I Need for a Dog Boarding Business?
- Nate Jones, CPCU, ARM, CLCS, AU
- Oct 29
- 2 min read
Running a dog boarding business means caring for pets, managing staff, and maintaining a safe facility—all while protecting yourself from unexpected risks. Whether you're just starting out or expanding your services, having the right insurance coverage is essential.
At Wexford Insurance, we specialize in helping pet care providers find tailored insurance solutions that fit their unique needs.
Here are the key types of insurance every dog boarding business should consider:
This is the foundation of your insurance portfolio. It covers third-party bodily injury and property damage claims. For example, if a pet owner slips in your lobby or a dog bites a visitor, general liability insurance helps cover medical expenses and legal fees.
Typical coverage limits are $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate annually.
This protects your physical assets—your building, kennels, grooming stations, and supplies—from damage due to fire, theft, vandalism, or natural disasters. It also helps you recover lost income if your facility is temporarily shut down.
3. Animal Bailee Coverage
This specialized coverage protects you if a pet in your care is injured, lost, or dies. It covers veterinary bills, search and recovery costs, and legal claims related to the incident. This is essential for any business that boards or transports animals.
Learn more about animal bailee coverage and why it’s critical for dog kennels and pet boarders.
Also known as errors and omissions insurance, this covers claims related to your services—such as feeding mistakes, supervision failures, or grooming injuries. If a pet owner sues for negligence, this policy helps cover legal defense and settlements.
If you have employees, this coverage is legally required in most states. It pays for medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs if an employee is injured on the job—such as being bitten or slipping while cleaning.
If you transport pets or use vehicles for business purposes, personal auto insurance won’t cover you. Commercial auto insurance protects against accidents, injuries, and vehicle damage during business operations.
Your facility relies on expensive equipment—kennels, grooming tables, dryers, cleaning systems, and more. Equipment insurance protects these assets from theft, damage, or breakdown, whether on-site or in transit.
Final Thoughts
Dog boarding businesses face unique risks that general business insurance doesn’t fully cover. That’s why working with a niche-focused agency like Wexford Insurance is essential. We help you build a customized insurance plan that protects your facility, staff, and the pets in your care—so you can focus on growing your business with peace of mind.
Contact us today to get started.