How Much Does Dog Walking Business Insurance Cost? 2026 Rates

Dog walking companies in the United States typically spend between $180 and $360 per year on comprehensive business insurance, which equals about $15 to $30 per month. Actual premiums vary depending on the overall risk profile of the business. Several factors influence how much coverage will cost, including services offered, size of the business, location, and claims history.

How Much Does Dog Walking Business Insurance Cost?

On average, dog walking businesses in the United States spend between $180 and $360 annually on a full insurance package. That equals about $15 to $30 per month. These figures are only estimates, and actual premiums vary depending on the size and scope of your operation.

Every dog walking company faces unique risks, so premiums are never one‑size‑fits‑all. For instance, a business that incorporates dog training—especially with treats—may face higher liability risks due to potential injuries to pets or employees. Similarly, a company that owns and operates a private dog park will likely pay more than one that simply uses public spaces.

Several factors influence how much you’ll pay for insurance:

• Services offered – Impacts professional liability and cyber coverage needs.
• Number of employees – Larger staff increases workers’ compensation requirements.
• Property size and value – Owning facilities or high‑value equipment raises commercial property premiums.
• Claims history – Frequent past claims raise rates, while a clean record can lower them.
• Business interruption and add‑ons – Extra coverage options add to the total bill.

Understanding these variables helps dog walking business owners estimate insurance needs more accurately and budget for the real costs of protecting their operations. With the right coverage, you can safeguard your staff, clients, and the pets in your care without overspending.

Average Dog Walking Business Insurance Costs For Coverage Types

When it comes to protecting your dog walking business, different types of insurance cover different risks. Understanding the average cost, coverage details, and what influences pricing for each policy type can help you build a more effective insurance plan. Here’s a closer look at the major coverages most dog walking businesses need.

• General liability insurance: $15 per month
• Animal bailee coverage: $35 per month
• Business owner’s policy: $60 per month
• Professional liability insurance: $30 per month
• Product liability insurance: $47 per month
• Workers’ compensation insurance: $50 per month
• Commercial auto insurance: $85 per month
• Commercial property insurance: $125 per month
• Cyber liability insurance: $85 per month
• Lost key insurance: $15 per month

General Liability Insurance

The average cost of general liability insurance for a basic dog walking company is about $15 per month.

General liability covers third-party bodily injury, property damage, and advertising injuries. For example, if a customer is bitten by another dog, this policy would help pay for their medical expenses and your legal defense costs.

Typical policy limits are $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate.

Factors that influence the cost include the business type (your services), location, office environment (if clients frequently visit your office), contract requirements, and previous claims history.

Average annual premiums by state:

Animal Bailee Coverage (Pet Protection)

The average cost of animal bailee insurance for a dog walking business is $35 per month.

This coverage can protect you against injuries, death, or loss of an animal while it is in your care. For example, while walking a dog, the dog escapes your care. You have to pay to find it, advertising that it is missing, or in the worst of cases, replacing the pet. This would help cover the costs of care or replacement of that dog.

Factors that influence the cost include the size of your business, your location, and how much protection you want.

Average annual premiums by state:

Business Owner’s Policy (BOP)

The average cost of a business owner’s policy (BOP) is about $60 per month for dog walking businesses.

A BOP bundles general liability insurance with commercial property insurance. It protects against customer injuries, property damage, and loss or damage to your office building, furnishings, and equipment. For instance, if a fire damages your computers and files, the BOP would help cover repairs and replacements.

Typical policy limits are $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate for liability, with separate property coverage limits based on the value insured.

Cost factors include the size of your business, location risk (such as flood or crime rates), business revenue, number of employees, and any optional endorsements like cyber protection, directors and officers insurance, equipment breakdown, or extra expense coverage if expenses for a disruptive event go beyond your normal costs.

Average annual premiums by state:

Professional Liability Insurance

The average cost of professional liability insurance for dog walking businesses is about $30 per month.

Sometimes called errors and omissions, this type of insurance covers claims relating to errors, emissions, negligence, or other financial losses that a customer or client experiences because of the services you gave. For example, if you make a mistake while walking a dog that causes injury to a pet, and a client sues you, this would help cover those costs.

Typical policy limits are $1 million per claim, but higher limits are sometimes required by state laws or client contracts.

Cost depends on the size of your business, the services you offer, the number of years you’ve been in business, coverage limits, and claims history.

Average annual premiums by state:

Product Liability Insurance

The average cost of product liability insurance for dog walking businesses is $47 per month.

This applies to any dog walking companies that sell products. For example, your dog walking business sells specialty leashes and collars for dogs. A client sues you after one of those callers injures their pet. This would help cover the costs of any lawsuit or settlement related to that product.

Average annual premiums by state:

Lost Key Insurance

The average cost of lost key insurance for dog walking businesses is $15 per month.

This type of insurance applies to dog walking businesses that provide in-home services to their clients. If you, for example, run a mobile business and clients have provided a key to their home this would be important coverage. If an employee were to lose that key, this would help cover the cost of replacing all of the clients locks and new keys.

Average annual premiums by state:

Cyber Liability Insurance

The average cost of cyber liability insurance for dog walking businesses is $85 per month.

Cyber liability insurance covers the costs a dog walking business might incur after a cyber incident. This extends to lost income after a cyber attack, forensic investigations, data recovery costs, regulatory fines, and the costs of informing customers about the attack.

Dog walking businesses can benefit from this coverage if they handle any sensitive data, or if they want to cover gaps in their insurance

Costs are based on factors like the size of your organization, the type of client data you handle, and the cybersecurity measures you already have in place.

Average annual premiums by state:

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

The average cost of workers’ compensation insurance for a dog walking business is around $50 per month.

This amount varies based on the services provided and the risks therein, like handling large animals.

Workers’ comp covers medical bills, rehabilitation, and lost wages for employees injured on the job. For example, while walking a large dog unemployee trips over a wet floor at the dog walking facility and sprains their wrist. In this case, workers’ compensation would cover their hospital visit and part of their lost wages while they recover.

Policy limits are regulated by each state, but typically include medical costs and a percentage of lost wages without a set cap.

Premiums are influenced by the size of your payroll, the type of work employees perform (whether in your office or on-site for each client), your claims history, and any implemented safety programs.

Average annual premiums by state:

Commercial Auto Insurance

The average cost of commercial auto insurance for a dog walking business is about $85 per month.

Dog walking businesses that operate a mobile grooming business might expect to pay around $30 per month.

Commercial auto insurance covers vehicles owned or used by the business for accidents, theft, vandalism, or damage. For example, If an employee gets into a T-bone accident while driving to a client’s home to pick up a dog. They were in a company vehicle. This policy would cover the damages and any third-party claims.

Typical policy limits are around $1 million combined single limit (covering both bodily injury and property damage).

Factors influencing the cost include the number and type of vehicles, how often they are used, the driving records of employees, and whether you add endorsements like hired and non-owned auto insurance (HNOA) for employee-owned vehicles used for company services like driving to and from off-site consultations.

Average annual premiums by state:

Commercial Property Insurance

The average cost of commercial property insurance for a dog walking business, when purchased separately, usually runs $125 per month.

Commercial property insurance covers damage to the agency building and its contents due to fire, theft, vandalism, or certain weather events. For example, if a dog chews on your furniture and damages it, this policy would pay for repairs or replacement. This is especially important if your dog walking business has self-contained property for walks and play time activities, where that property can be damaged.

Typical policy limits are based on the replacement cost value of the insured property, which could easily reach into the hundreds of thousands depending on your location, building size, and equipment investments.

Premiums are determined by factors like the building’s age and construction type, fire safety systems in place, replacement cost of equipment, neighborhood crime rates, and whether you add endorsements such as professional liability or cyber protection.

Average annual premiums by state:

Dog Walking Business Insurance Costs By Provider

Dog walking business insurance costs will vary greatly depending on the insurance carrier. Use the table below to find average costs across different providers.

Note: These estimates are based on typical liability and property coverage for dog walking businesses in the U.S. Actual premiums will vary depending on factors such as business size, number of clients, location, coverage limits, and claims history.

What Factors Impact Your Dog Walking Business Insurance Costs?

Insurance premiums for dog walking businesses are calculated by underwriters who assess your company’s overall risk profile. From the services you provide to your claims history, several factors determine how much you’ll pay for coverage.

Type Of Services

Not all dog walking operations carry the same risks. Businesses that travel to clients’ homes or manage drop‑off services face different exposures than those that simply walk dogs in public parks. Offering additional services such as training or operating private facilities can increase liability risks.

Location

Where your business operates plays a major role. Companies in high‑crime, flood‑prone, or urban areas generally pay more for property and liability coverage. Suburban or rural locations with fewer claims often benefit from lower premiums.

Size Of The Operation

The larger your business, the greater the exposure. More square footage, employees, and revenue increase the likelihood of claims. Owning private dog parks, trails, or recreational facilities adds further risk. Workers’ compensation costs also rise with bigger staff counts, especially if employees travel frequently to client sites.

Property Value And Equipment

High‑value office equipment, furnishings, or specialized facilities drive up commercial property premiums. Animals can also cause damage—chewing furniture or breaking items—which insurers factor into costs.

Claims History

Past claims are a key factor. Companies with frequent property or liability claims are considered higher risk, leading to higher rates. A clean claims record, however, can qualify you for discounts.

Policy Limits And Deductibles

Higher policy limits provide stronger protection but increase premiums. Opting for a larger deductible can lower monthly costs, though it raises your out‑of‑pocket responsibility when claims occur.

Optional Endorsements

Add‑ons such as business interruption, cyber liability, or hired/non‑owned auto coverage tailor protection to your needs but raise premiums. These are especially important for businesses with off‑site services or exposure to natural disasters.

Insurance Provider

Not all insurers price coverage the same way. Some specialize in animal‑related risks and may offer more competitive rates or flexible options for dog walking businesses. Comparing quotes across multiple carriers is one of the best ways to save.

How To Lower Your Dog Walking Business Insurance Costs

Running a dog walking company can be costly, but your insurance premiums don’t have to overwhelm your budget. While coverage is essential, there are practical strategies to reduce expenses without sacrificing protection.

1. Bundle Your Policies

One of the simplest ways to save is by combining multiple policies. Many insurers offer a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) that packages general liability and property insurance at a reduced rate. Adding workers’ compensation or professional liability coverage through the same provider can unlock further discounts and streamline administration.

2. Ask About Discounts

Insurers often reward loyalty and upfront payments. You may qualify for reduced rates by signing a multi‑year agreement or paying your premium in full instead of monthly installments.

3. Strengthen Safety Measures

Accidents and liability claims drive up costs for both you and your insurer. Proactive steps—such as installing non‑slip flooring, keeping walkways clear, and maintaining safe transport vehicles—help reduce risks. For dog walking businesses, safe animal handling practices and clear client agreements also lower liability exposure.

4. Build A Safer Work Environment

Workers’ compensation costs can be managed by focusing on staff training and preparedness. Teaching employees proper fire safety procedures, safe handling techniques for dogs, and maintaining clear emergency exits reduces injuries. Fewer claims mean lower premiums.

5. Adjust Your Deductible

Opting for a higher deductible is a straightforward way to lower monthly premiums. Just ensure your business can comfortably cover the out‑of‑pocket amount if a claim arises.