Why pet sitting insurance is different from dog walking
Pet sitters face a liability profile that differs from dog walkers in one significant way: home access. A dog walker picks up a dog and walks it. A pet sitter enters a client's home, often alone, while the client is traveling — sometimes for days at a time.
This creates liability exposure that dog walkers do not face: damage to the home (broken item, left door open, water left running), theft allegations (whether accurate or not), and extended care of an animal through illness or emergency without the owner present.
The insurance coverages you need are the same as for dog walking, but the bonding component is significantly more important for pet sitters — it addresses the theft and property concern that home access creates.
The three coverages
General liability insurance covers third-party bodily injury and property damage. If a pet in your care bites a neighbor, damages someone's property, or if you accidentally break something in a client's home, this pays. This is non-negotiable for any pet service professional.
Care, custody and control (CCC) coverage covers the pet itself while in your professional care. If a pet is injured, becomes ill, or dies while under your care, CCC pays for veterinary treatment and potentially the pet's replacement value. Standard general liability policies explicitly exclude animals — confirm CCC is included before purchasing.
Surety bonding protects clients if you or an employee steals from their home. A bonded sitter can make a claim against the bond if theft occurs. This matters specifically for pet sitters because of home access. "Insured and bonded" is a significantly stronger trust signal than "insured" alone — and it is often what separates you from competitors when a client is evaluating multiple sitters.
What each one costs
- General liability + CCC: $300–$600 per year for a solo operator ($25–$50/month)
- Bonding: $100–$200 per year ($10–$20/month) — typically added as an endorsement to your liability policy or purchased separately
- Combined total: $400–$800 per year for full coverage
At $35–$65 per month, full coverage is less than the revenue from two drop-in visits. It is not optional for a professional pet sitter.
Where to get it
Three providers offer purpose-built pet sitter policies:
- Pet Sitters Associates (petsitllc.com) — the most widely used among professional pet sitters. Policies start around $150/year for basic coverage and include bonding options.
- Business Insurers of the Carolinas (petbiz.com) — another common choice with competitive rates for solo operators.
- Kennel Pro Insurance — good for pet sitters who also offer boarding or grooming.
Both of the first two providers offer same-day coverage. You can complete the application and have an active policy in under 30 minutes. There is no reason to delay.
What insurance does not cover
- Your own injuries on the job (requires personal health or disability insurance)
- Criminal acts — theft by you is not covered (that is what bonding is for from the client's side)
- Intentional damage
- Business vehicle use — if you transport pets in your car, check whether your personal auto policy covers business use. Many do not. A commercial auto endorsement or separate policy may be needed.
Read your policy documents before your first client. Knowing what is excluded matters as much as knowing what is covered.