What insurance coverage do pet daycares have, and what is their liability policy?
When entrusting your pet to a daycare, understanding the facility’s insurance and liability policies is crucial for both your peace of mind and your pet’s safety. A responsible daycare will carry specific types of insurance to protect against accidents, injuries, and property damage that can occur during group play or supervised care. The two primary coverages you should ask about are general liability insurance and kennel or pet care liability insurance, and each serves a distinct purpose in mitigating risk for the business and for your family.
General liability insurance is a foundational policy that covers third party claims of bodily injury or property damage. For example, if a dog slips on a wet floor in the lobby and is injured, or if your pet damages a piece of equipment, general liability can help cover vet bills or repair costs. This policy typically does not cover injuries to pets caused by other pets or staff negligence, which is why a dedicated pet care liability policy is essential. Always verify that the daycare carries a policy specifically tailored to the risks of animal care, as general liability alone is insufficient.
Pet care liability insurance (sometimes called kennel insurance or animal bailee coverage) is the most relevant for pet parents. This policy covers incidents that occur while the pet is in the daycare’s custody, such as bites, fights, accidents, or illness that arises directly from the daycare environment. It often includes coverage for veterinary expenses, legal fees, and settlement costs if the facility is found negligent. Reputable daycaries will carry a minimum of $1 million per occurrence in pet care liability, with higher limits for facilities handling large numbers of dogs or high value breeds.
Beyond liability, ask about workers compensation insurance and property insurance. Workers compensation covers staff injuries (e.g., a bite during play), and property insurance protects the facility itself. While these donât directly affect your pet, they indicate a professionally run business that can weather a claim without closing, ensuring your petâs care continuity. Request a certificate of insurance directly from the daycare, and confirm that it is current. A transparent facility will happily provide this documentation upon request.
To evaluate a daycareâs liability policy effectively, ask these specific questions:
- Does your policy cover injuries caused by another pet in the daycare? This ensures you wonât be held financially responsible if an incident occurs during group play.
- What is the per incident limit for veterinary expenses? A minimum of $10,000 to $25,000 per claim is common for kennel policies, but verify the amount aligns with local veterinary costs.
- Is there a waiver or hold harmless clause you require me to sign? Many daycares ask for a waiver, but this doesnât absolve them of responsibility for gross negligence. Understand what the waiver covers.
- Does the policy exclude any specific breeds or temperaments? Some insurers exclude certain high risk breeds or require proof of temperament testing for coverage.
Finally, your own pet insurance policy may offer secondary coverage for daycare incidents, but it rarely replaces the daycareâs liability. Check with your provider to see if they cover injuries sustained in a commercial care setting, as many exclude this unless you add a rider. Your best protection is a combination of a well insured daycare and your own medical or accident coverage for your pet. By thoroughly reviewing these policies before enrollment, you ensure your pet is in a facility that values safety and financial accountability as much as you do.