Kennel Insurance Policy Information
Kennel Insurance. Kennels provides temporary housing for dogs whose owners are away on business or vacation. Services generally include feeding, exercise runs, and grooming. Some offer breeding or training classes.
Others provide boarding facilities for cats or other domestic animals. There may be daytime open kenneling, with dogs interacting throughout the day and placed in separate kennels during the evening hours.
"Doggie day cares" allow owners to bring their dogs to the kennel during the day and pick them up after work.
By boarding their cat or dog at a quality kennel, pet owners can rest assured that their beloved companion animal is safe, and many kennels work hard to provide exercise, quality nutrition, and play time to the animals they board.
As it can be extremely hard for pet owners to find trusted temporary shelter for their cats and dogs among their relatives and friends, there is no question that kennels provide an invaluable service - and are, as such, in high demand.
This means that, if you own and run a kennel, you can maintain and build a business that will stand the test of time. Kennel owners also, on the other hand, face a number of threats in the form of unforeseen circumstances.
How can investing in a comprehensive kennel insurance plan protect your business, and what types of coverage might be required? Read on to discover more.
Kennel insurance protects animal boarding businesses from lawsuits with rates as low as $47/mo. Get a fast quote and your certificate of insurance now.
Below are some answers to commonly asked kennel insurance questions:
- What Is Kennel Insurance?
- How Much Does Kennel Insurance Cost?
- Why Do Kennels Need Insurance?
- What Type Of Insurance Do Kennels Need?
- What Does Kennel Insurance Cover & Pay For?
What Is Kennel Insurance?
Kennel insurance is a type of insurance designed for individuals or businesses that run or own a kennel, dog boarding facility, or pet daycare. It provides financial protection for the kennel owner against various risks and liabilities, such as property damage, animal bites or attacks, and injury to employees.
Kennel insurance typically covers losses related to property damage, liability claims, veterinary care, and other costs associated with the operation of a kennel. It is an important consideration for anyone who runs a kennel business, as it provides peace of mind and protection against potential financial losses.
How Much Does Kennel Insurance Cost?
The average price of a standard $1,000,000/$2,000,000 General Liability Insurance policy for small kennels ranges from $47 to $69 per month based on location, size, revenue, claims history and more.
Why Do Kennels Need Insurance?
As a responsible business owner, you will do everything in your power to ensure that your boarding kennel operates smoothly - but no matter how competent and professional your company is, unforeseen circumstances can always threaten your financial health.
Kennels will face universal risks common to almost any commercial venture, as well as some hazards specifically related to the fact that kennels provide pet care.
Kennels need appropriate insurance not only to fulfill legal obligations, but also to help them recover from any major peril they may be confronted with. Acts of nature - disasters like earthquakes, wildfires, or hurricanes - may strike any building, potentially causing severe property damage.
In the case of a kennel, not only are assets and employees at risk, but also the pets you are caring for. Theft, vandalism, and accidents are other examples of perils that could cause damage to your premises.
In addition, kennels also have to take liability risks into consideration. Employees and third parties visiting the premises may be injured on your property, for example, or third party property may accidentally become damaged over the course of your activities.
One of the most significant risks kennels face is the possibility that a pet could become injured or even die in their care, but keep in mind that customers can file lawsuits alleging negligence even if your standard of care is excellent.
Serious perils are accompanied by equally serious expenses. In some cases, the costs would be so overwhelming that you may be forced to close your business. Investing in the right kennel insurance is the best way to prevent that scenario.
What Type Of Insurance Do Kennels Need?
Although all kennels will have similar insurance needs, their individual circumstances will influence the exact kinds of coverage that will best protect their interests, as well as the ultimate cost of any given policy.
Your location, the size of your business, the types of cats and dogs you board, and how many employees you have hired are merely examples of the factors that play a role in determining what insurance will best serve you.
Because navigating the modern insurance market can be challenging, it is essential to consult a commercial insurance broker to advise you and advocate for you. Having said that, some of the most important types of kennel insurance coverage include:
- Commercial Property: This type of insurance shields your kennel business from financial losses in the event that your building and the smaller assets within are damaged or destroyed by acts of nature, theft, or vandalism. It covers repair and replacement costs up to a predefined limit.
- Commercial General Liability: Should a third party become injured on your premises or as a result of your activities, or should your kennel damage property belonging to someone else, lawsuits can follow. General liability insurance can help you cover legal expenses, but also settlement payouts, including medical or repair bills.
- Boarding Kennel Liability / Animal Bailee Insurance: This form of kennel insurance coverage is designed to cover the animals in your care, and depending on the insurer, it can be referred to by other names as well. If an animal becomes injured or dies while in your care, this type of insurance helps you cover the resulting costs.
- Workers' Compensation: If an employee is injured at work, whether due to an animal bite or due to improper maintenance, workers comp pays their medical expenses as well as covering any lost income.
To find out whether you would also benefit from commercial auto, cyber, business interruption, and other types of kennel insurance, talk to a commercial insurance agent.
Kennel's Risks & Exposures
Premises liability exposure can be high if customers have access to the kennels. The customer waiting area must be kept clean of animal waste and loose animals to prevent slips, trips, and falls. Leashes and carriers should be required to protect customers and other animals.
Veterinary records confirming appropriate vaccines should be required of any animal being boarded to prevent the spread of disease. Enclosures should be secured to prevent escape, with each animal boarded separately to prevent attacks by other animals.
Escaped animals could attack people or other animals or cause damage to neighboring properties. Daytime open kenneling can result in serious injuries.
Precautions such as temperament testing, adequate staff monitoring, requiring participating dogs to be spayed or neutered, and divided play areas by the size of dog are helpful.
Products liability exposure is moderate if the kennel sells animal food and supplies. The exposure increases to that of a manufacturer if the kennel modifies or sells a directly imported product.
Environmental impairment exposure is moderate due to the potential for air, surface or ground water, or soil contamination from the handling and disposal of biological waste material. The kennel must follow all federal and state procedures for disposal.
Workers compensation exposure is high due to the unpredictability of even the most domesticated animal. Workers may be injured by biting, scratching, kicking, or other attack. All employees must be trained in appropriate restraint techniques. Aggressive animals should be clearly identified so that proper precautions can be taken.
Other common injuries include lifting that results in hernias, back strains, or sprains, trips and falls, respiratory ailments from inhaling dander, and communicable diseases transmitted by animals. Special training in separating fighting dogs is required in facilities where daytime kenneling occurs.
Property exposure includes an office and animal boarding facilities. Ignition sources include electrical wiring, heating, and air conditioning. There may be laundry equipment used to clean bedding. All equipment should be well maintained to prevent overheating and meet current codes.
Food and bedding supplies are combustible and should be stored away from heat sources. Poor housekeeping is a serious fire hazard. Animals may be a target for theft or vandalism.
All enclosures must be properly secured. Controls should be in place to prevent access to the premises after hours. Alarms are recommended.
Inland marine exposure is from accounts receivable for credit customers, bailees customers for animals boarded at the kennel, and valuable papers and records for customers' and suppliers' information. Duplicates of all records should be made and kept off site. There may be computers used for recordkeeping.
Crime exposure is from employee dishonesty. Background checks should be conducted on all employees handling money. There should be separation of duties between persons handling deposits and disbursements and reconciling bank statements.
Business auto exposure is generally limited to hired and non-owned for employees running errands. If the kennel provides pickup or delivery services, all drivers must be licensed with acceptable MVRs. Any owned vehicles must be well maintained with documentation kept in a central location.
What Does Kennel Insurance Cover & Pay For?
Kennels may face various lawsuits for different reasons. Here are some examples:
Injury to a pet: A kennel may be sued if a pet gets injured or dies while in their care. For example, if a dog gets into a fight with another dog and sustains injuries or if a pet dies due to neglect or abuse.
Insurance coverage: Kennel insurance typically includes liability coverage that protects against lawsuits resulting from pet injuries. This coverage can help pay for legal defense costs, settlement or judgment, and other related expenses.
Property damage: Kennels may be liable for damage caused to a pet owner's property while the pet is under their care. For instance, if a dog chews up furniture or damages a carpet in a kennel facility.
Insurance coverage: Kennel insurance usually includes property damage coverage that can pay for the cost of repairing or replacing the damaged property.
Negligence or misconduct: Kennels can be sued for negligence or misconduct, such as failing to provide proper care or supervision for a pet, or intentionally h
arming a pet.Insurance coverage: Kennel insurance can cover the cost of defending against claims of negligence or misconduct, as well as any damages awarded in a lawsuit.
Breach of contract: Kennels may be sued for breach of contract if they fail to fulfill their obligations under a boarding or pet care agreement with a pet owner.
Insurance coverage: Some kennel insurance policies may include coverage for breach of contract claims, such as failure to deliver promised services.
Overall, kennel insurance is designed to protect the business from lawsuits and other risks associated with providing pet care services. By having insurance coverage in place, kennel owners can mitigate financial losses and protect their business from potentially catastrophic legal claims.
Commercial Insurance And Business Industry Classification
- SIC CODE: 0752 Animal Specialty Services, Except Veterinary
- NAICS CODE: 812910 Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services
- Suggested Workers Compensation Code(s): 8831 Hospital - Veterinary & Drivers
0752: Animal Specialty Services, Except Veterinary
Division A: Agriculture, Forestry, And Fishing | Major Group 07: Agricultural Services | Industry Group 075: Animal Services, Except Veterinary
0752 Animal Specialty Services, Except Veterinary: Establishments primarily engaged in performing services, except veterinary, for pets, equines, and other animal specialties. Establishments primarily engaged in performing services other than veterinary for cattle, hogs, sheep, goats, and poultry are classified in Industry 0751. Establishments primarily engaged in training racehorses are classified in Services, Industry 7948.
- Animal shelters
- Artificial insemination services: animal specialties
- Boarding horses
- Boarding kennels
- Breeding of animals, other than cattle hogs, sheep, goats, and poultry
- Dog grooming
- Dog pounds
- Honey straining on the farm
- Pedigree record services for pets and other animal specialties
- Showing of pets and other animal specialties
- Training horses, except racing
- Training of pets and other animal specialties
- Vaccinating pets and other animal specialties, except by veterinarians
Kennel Insurance - The Bottom Line
To protect your cat and dog boarding business, employees, customers and the animals, having the right kennel insurance coverage is vital. To learn what types of policy options are available to you, how much coverage you should invest in and the premiums - speak to a reputable commercial insurance broker.
Additional Resources For Additional Resources For Children & Pet / Dog Care Insurance
Discover what small business commercial insurance policies cover for children and pet related businesses.
- Day Care Insurance
- Dog Walking
- Kennels
- Pet Groomer
- Pet Sitting
- Preschools
- Specialty Animals And Birds
Children
A childcare center needs insurance for several reasons. First and foremost, insurance provides financial protection in the event of an accident, injury, or other unforeseen circumstances.
For example, if a child is injured while at the daycare, the center could be held liable for medical expenses and other damages. Insurance can help to cover these costs, protecting the daycare and its owners from financial ruin.
In addition to protecting against financial risk, insurance can also help to protect the reputation of the daycare. If an accident or injury occurs, the media and public may become involved, potentially damaging the reputation of the daycare. Insurance can help to mitigate this risk by providing support and resources to handle the situation.
Finally, many states and localities have laws and regulations that require daycare centers to have certain types of insurance coverage. For example, some states require daycare centers to have liability insurance to cover the costs of accidents and injuries that occur on the property. Failing to carry the required insurance could result in fines or other penalties.
Pet Related
Pet related businesses, such as pet stores, grooming salons, and animal hospitals, need insurance for a number of reasons. These businesses often handle a large volume of dogs, cats and other animals and can be prone to accidents and unexpected events.
For example, a pet store may be sued if an animal becomes sick or injured after being purchased from the store. An animal hospital may be sued if a pet owner believes their animal received inadequate care. A grooming salon may be sued if an animal is injured during grooming.
In these situations, insurance can provide financial protection for the business and help cover the cost of legal fees and settlements.
