Dog Walker Insurance in Maine
Allen/Freeman/McDonnell Agency
Dog Walker Insurance in Maine
- What Is It?
- Who Needs It?
- Coverages Offered
Dog walker insurance provides specialized commercial coverage for professional dog walkers. Policies normally come with multiple coverages packaged together, so they can protect against several risks.
- Residents who walk dogs as their main job (either full-time or part-time)
- Residents who walk dogs as a part-time side hustle
- Pet sitters who usually walk the dogs they’re watching
- General Liability Coverage
- Commercial Auto Coverage
- Animal Bailee Coverage
What is dog walker insurance?
Many Maine residents have found that dog walking can be a worthwhile part-time gig, and even potentially a full-time job in cities such as Portland. As simple as the work seems, however, people who do this shouldn’t underestimate the associated risks. Purchasing dog walker insurance is an important way to protect against potential accidents that could have financially devastating consequences.
Dog walker insurance provides specialized commercial coverage for professional dog walkers. Policies normally come with multiple coverages packaged together, so they can protect against several risks.
Who in Maine needs to have dog walking insurance?
Most Maine residents who charge for dog walking services should have dog walking insurance. Not having insurance can leave residents dangerously exposed to risks.
This doesn’t generally include people who walk dogs for their relatives, friends or neighbors without charging. Walking dogs as a friendly gesture might bring certain limited risks, but any associated risks are normally covered by the personal liability provisions of homeowners insurance or renters insurance.
Dog walking insurance generally becomes necessary when a fee is charged for the services. Even charging a relative, friend or neighbor can make the service a commercial endeavor, and therefore void any protection from homeowners or renters insurance. When services are paid for, commercial insurance is often needed.
Given these guidelines, a variety of people and businesses might need to purchase dog walking insurance. For example, all of the following ought to consider getting a policy:
- Residents who walk dogs as their main job (either full-time or part-time)
- Residents who walk dogs as a part-time side hustle
- Pet sitters who usually walk the dogs they’re watching
- Boarders who provide dog-walking services
- Businesses that have multiple employees who walk dogs
If there’s any uncertainty as to whether this insurance is needed, an insurance agent who specializes in dog walking policies can help determine whether a policy is needed.
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What protections can dog walkers get through dog walking policies?
Dog walking policies normally provide a variety of coverages. While the exact protections found within any one policy depend on that policy’s terms, coverage options often include the following:
- General Liability Coverage: Might cover common accidents that could happen to almost anyone or any business
- Commercial Auto Coverage: Might cover a car or other vehicle that’s driven to/from clients’ locations
- Animal Bailee Coverage: Might cover any injury, death or loss of a dog that’s being walked
- Lost Key Coverage: Might cover the cost of replacing lost keys and/or rekeying a house if necessary
- Errors and Omissions Coverage: Might cover bad advice that dog walkers give to their clients
Errors and omissions is frequently referred to simply as E&O coverage.
Do dog walkers need commercial auto insurance?
Personal auto insurance normally doesn’t cover work-related driving within its standard protections. Since driving to and from can be considered work-related, dog walkers frequently have to supplement their personal auto insurance with additional coverage.
In most cases, dog walkers can likely add an endorsement onto their personal auto policy so they’ll be covered when driving to clients’ locations. Many personal auto policies have add-on endorsements that allow the policy to cover a non-commercial vehicle when it’s driven for work.
Dog walkers who have commercially registered vehicles in their business name are more likely to need a full-fledged commercial auto insurance policy. Personal policies normally don’t cover vehicles with commercial registrations.
How can dog walkers in Maine get dog walker insurance?
If you need help finding dog walker insurance in Maine, talk with the insurance agents of Allen Freeman McDonnell Agency. Our independent agents are well-versed in the coverage needs of dog walkers, and we’ll make sure the policy you choose provides robust protection. We can recommend the best available policies regardless of what insurance company offers them.
