Company insurance is intended to safeguard the financial assets of a business owner and is a vital investment for a mobile dog groomer.
This article will discuss the primary insurance coverage for mobile dog groomers, general liability insurance, as well as additional policies that are appropriate for this industry.
Mobile Dog Groomers Need General Liability Insurance
Every firm, regardless of sector, has risks that should be insured. General liability insurance is the most frequent and comprehensive form of coverage that company owners purchase.
General liability insurance covers the following risks:
Physical harm
Damage to property
Medical expenses
Legal defence and decision
Personal and commercial harm
While general liability insurance is not legally needed for companies, operating without it is exceedingly dangerous. If your company is sued, you might face costs in the hundreds of thousands of dollars (or more). The only way to avoid this sort of catastrophe from destroying your organisation is to have an adequate general liability insurance coverage in place to assist pay for these losses.
Situations That A Mobile Dog Groomer’s General Liability Insurance May Cover
Example 1: A loud noise from some of your grooming equipment scares an expensive puppy. It escapes your clutches and flees into the street, where it is killed by a passing car. If found accountable, your company would most likely have some coverage under a general liability insurance policy for damages incurred or an out-of-court settlement.
Example 2: A customer’s kid is amusing himself while you groom the family dog. You dash out to your vehicle for an extension cable for your blow dryer during the final few minutes of a shampoo session. The dog attacks and bites the youngster, who is taken to the hospital. If found guilty, your company would most likely be compensated for part of the resultant losses.
Example 3: While speaking with a client, his precious show dog, a rare purebred, enters your pocketbook and swallows a significant chunk of dark chocolate that you had left inside. The poison has killed the dog. If you were found to be responsible, general liability insurance would almost certainly pay part of the losses or any settlement negotiated between your company and the consumer.
Of course, this is not an entire list of risks covered by a general liability insurance policy, and certain situations may result in a specific peril not being covered. To minimise coverage gaps, it’s always better to speak with your agent about the terms of your policy.
General Liability Insurance Cost
The typical mobile dog groomer in the United States pays between $300 and $700 per year for $1 million in general liability insurance.
The cost of your coverage will be determined by a number of variables. Among them are your:
Location
Deductible
Employees’ number
Per-occurrence restriction
The overall aggregate limit
You may be able to get general liability insurance at a lower cost if you buy it as part of a business owner’s policy (BOP) rather than as a separate policy. A business interruption policy (BOP) is a more complete option that covers numerous types of coverage, such as business interruption and property insurance.
Other Types of Coverage Required by Mobile Dog Groomers
While general liability insurance is the most crucial, there are various different types of coverage to be aware of. Other forms of insurance that all mobile dog groomers should have include:
Insurance for Commercial Vehicles
You will be travelling from client to customer as a mobile groomer. Auto insurance is required for any car used for business reasons. Commercial vehicle insurance protects your grooming company in the case of a roadside accident.
Insurance for Professional Liability
Businesses that provide expert advice to consumers or provide skilled services may be held accountable for any ensuing harm. This is a crucial insurance to have since your grooming service will be both servicing and counselling consumers about their dogs.
Coverage Options for Some Mobile Dog Groomers
In addition to the insurance listed above, your mobile dog groomers may need other forms of coverage based on particular features of your business. Some of them may not apply to you, so be sure to ask your agent whether policies are appropriate for your company.
Insurance for Workers’ Compensation
If you have any employees (full-time or part-time) in your mobile dog grooming service, you must have workers’ compensation insurance. This form of coverage will assist in compensating your staff if they are harmed on the job.
Insurance for Product Liability
This policy is intended for product-selling firms. In this situation, you may offer your consumers specific shampoos or dog grooming supplies. If a client or their pet is injured as a result of your goods, a product liability coverage may protect your company.
Additional Security Measures for Your Company
Although investing in company insurance is simple (and necessary), it should not be your first line of defence. Yes, insurance will reimburse your company for cash losses incurred as a result of an occurrence, but it is much preferable to avoid losses altogether.
With this in mind, here are a few steps you can take to better secure your company:
Make use of legally binding contracts and other business agreements. (We provide free templates for several of the most often used legal forms.)
To safeguard your personal assets, form a limited liability company (LLC) or a corporation. (To discover how to incorporate an LLC or company in your state, see our step-by-step tutorials.)
Keep your company licences up to date.
Streamline the internal procedures of your company. This will eliminate unneeded variables from routine activities and establish a secure, consistent environment in which to do business.
If your company is an LLC, you should check into LLC insurance.