Pets

Are you a sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, or S or C Corporation? Do you have a DBA (doing business as)? Have you changed your business name or moved from a sole proprietor to an LLC, or added a DBA? Folks, all of the above can really affect your insurance, so let's take a look at why it's super important to make sure you have this correct with all your insurance companies.

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Most of you are aware of the many optional endorsements available under the PSI Liability policy, including In-Home Boarding/Daycare, Dog Training, Pet Grooming, and House Sitting, but did you know we now offer separate policies specifically for other types of Pet related services such as Therapy Dog Handlers and Pet Food/Treats Distributors and Manufacturers? Both of these products are unique in scope so for this briefing, I would like to share what each covers and what is required in underwriting to obtain a policy at reduced rates.

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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?

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.

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"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 90s has allowed us to greatly enhance our product offerings over the years and is fundamental to the continuity of all our agency association programs.

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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.

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"I'm reviewing my insurance for my upcoming renewal and I currently have the PSI Liability Policy and the PSI Bond for my business...are there any other coverages that I need to consider for my business?"

Great question! This is something we're frequently asked from our PSI members, so below I have outlined some other insurance coverages  you may want to consider for your professional pet sitting business.

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When Hurricane Katrina touched down in 2005, humans were not the only species affected by its destruction. And because emergency relief agencies were not in the business of saving pets, nearly half a million animals were left behind, devastating many owners and causing public outrage on their behalf. Passed in 2006 as a direct result of Hurricane Katrina, the Pet Evacuation and Transportation Act now require state and local agencies to consider pets and service animals in their emergency preparedness plans. While most of us won't experience a disaster like Hurricane Katrina in our lifetimes, it's still up to us to consider our beloved companion animals when planning for emergencies, big and small. Here are a few things you can do:

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In the last few years, hurricanes have devastated many parts of our country and affected many professional pet sitters. Unfortunately, we often receive calls to our office before the storms arrive and just after they have come through. So for this briefing, let's look at the PSI Liability policy and discuss what coverage you currently have under the policy and, unfortunately, what coverage you don't have. In addition, let's look at what you can do to prepare for a catastrophe.

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What is Professional Pet Sitters Week?

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