How Much Does Pet Sitting Insurance Cost? 2025 Rates

Pet sitting companies in the U.S. typically spend between $540 and $720 per year on business insurance. That equals about $45 to $60 each month.

What Drives Premiums

Several factors influence how much coverage will cost:

• Services offered – Adding grooming, boarding, or medical care increases risk and raises premiums.
• Business location – Operating in busy cities or high-risk areas tends to cost more than quieter neighborhoods.
• Number of clients – More pets under your care means greater liability exposure.
• Coverage limits – Higher limits provide stronger protection but increase monthly payments.
• Claims history – A clean record helps keep costs down, while past claims may raise rates.

Why It Matters

Understanding these cost drivers helps pet sitters budget wisely and choose coverage that matches their risks. With the right plan, they can protect their business without overspending.

How Much Does Pet Sitting Insurance Cost?

On average, pet sitting businesses spend between $540 and $720 annually on insurance. That equals about $45 to $60 per month. These figures are only estimates, and the actual premium depends on the details of your business.

Why Costs Differ

No two pet sitting businesses are alike. A solo sitter who cares for a handful of pets in clients’ homes will usually pay far less than a company with multiple employees, a physical location, and dozens of daily clients.

Key Cost Drivers

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

• Claims history – Filing past claims often raises premiums, while a clean record can lower them.
• Property size and value – Larger facilities or expensive equipment increase commercial property insurance costs.
• Number of employees – More staff means greater liability exposure and higher workers’ comp expenses.
• Business interruption and add-ons – Extra coverage options add to the total bill.

Services And Location

The type of animals you care for and the services you provide also matter. Offering grooming, walking, or overnight stays increases risk compared to basic pet sitting. Likewise, operating in a busy city where lawsuits are more common may raise liability costs, while caring for large or aggressive breeds can push premiums higher.

Why This Matters

Understanding these variables helps pet sitters estimate insurance needs more accurately and budget for the real costs of protecting their business. With the right coverage, you can safeguard your operations without overspending.

Average Pet Sitting Insurance Costs For Coverage Types

When it comes to protecting your pet sitting 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 pet sitting businesses need.

General liability insurance: $45 per month

Business owner’s policy: $65 per month

Workers’ compensation insurance: $110 per month

Commercial auto insurance: $150 per month

Errors and omissions (E&O) insurance: $58 per month

General Liability Insurance

The average cost of general liability insurance for a pet sitting business is about $45 per month.

General liability covers third-party bodily injury, property damage, and advertising injuries. For example, if a client trips over a dog leash in your home or pet care facility and gets injured, general liability insurance would help cover their medical bills and any legal fees if they decide to sue.

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

Factors that influence the cost include the business size, location, customer traffic volume, the types of pet sitting services you offer, previous claims history, and any additional insured endorsements you select.

Average annual premiums by state:

Note: These estimates are based on average national General Liability Insurance premiums for pet sitting businesses, adjusted slightly for state-level differences. Actual premiums will vary depending on business size, services offered, claims history, and insurer underwriting practices.

Business Owner’s Policy (BOP)

The average cost of a business owner’s policy (BOP) is about $65 per month for a pet sitting business.

A BOP bundles general liability insurance with commercial property insurance. It protects against customer injuries and property damage. For instance,  if a small fire breaks out in your pet care facility and damages your furniture, pet crates, or grooming equipment, your BOP would help pay for repairs or replacements. It would also cover costs if a client is injured on your property.

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 business property value, location risk (such as flood or crime rates), business revenue, number of employees, and any optional endorsements like business interruption insurance.

Average annual premiums by state:

Note: These estimates are based on average national BOP premiums for pet sitting businesses, adjusted slightly for state-level differences. Actual premiums will vary depending on business size, services offered, claims history, and insurer underwriting practices.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

The average cost of workers’ compensation insurance for a pet sitting business is around $110 per month.

Workers’ comp covers medical bills, rehabilitation, and lost wages for employees injured on the job. For example, if one of your pet sitters gets bitten by a dog during a visit and needs medical treatment, workers’ comp would help pay for their doctor bills and cover some 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, your claims history, and any implemented safety programs.

Average annual premiums by state:

Note: These estimates are based on average national Workers’ Compensation premiums for pet sitting businesses, adjusted slightly for state-level differences. Actual premiums will vary depending on payroll size, number of employees, claims history, and insurer underwriting practices.

Commercial Auto Insurance

The average cost of commercial auto insurance for pet sitting businesses is about $150 per month.

Commercial auto insurance covers vehicles owned or used by the business for accidents, theft, vandalism, or damage. For example,if you or an employee gets into a car accident while driving a company vehicle to pick up a client’s pet, this insurance would help pay for vehicle repairs and any damage or injuries caused to others.

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.

Average annual premiums by state:

Note: These estimates are based on average national Commercial Auto Insurance premiums for pet sitting businesses, adjusted slightly for state-level differences. Actual premiums will vary depending on the number of vehicles, driving records, coverage limits, and insurer underwriting practices.

Errors And Omissions (E&O) Insurance

The average cost of errors and omissions insurance for pet sitting businesses is about $58 per month.

Errors and omissions insurance helps protect your pet sitting business if a client claims you made a mistake, gave bad advice, or didn’t do your job properly, and it caused them harm or financial loss. For example, if you forget to give a dog its medication, and the pet becomes seriously ill. The owner might sue you for negligence. E&O insurance could help cover your legal fees, settlements, or any judgment costs.

The cost of errors and omissions insurance depends on things like the kind of pet care services you provide, whether you’ve had past claims, and how much coverage you want.

Average annual premiums by state:

Note: These estimates are based on average national Errors & Omissions Insurance premiums for pet sitting businesses, adjusted slightly for state-level differences. Actual premiums will vary depending on business size, services offered, claims history, and insurer underwriting practices.

Pet Sitting Business Insurance Costs By Provider

Pet sitting 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 average small business insurance costs for pet sitting operations, typically including general liability and professional liability coverage. Actual premiums will vary depending on factors such as location, business size, number of clients, services offered, claims history, and coverage limits.

What Factors Impact Your Pet Sitting Insurance Costs?

Insurance premiums for pet sitting businesses are based on your overall risk profile. Underwriters consider the types of pets you handle, the services you provide, your location, and your claims history when calculating rates.

Claims History

A history of frequent claims can raise premiums, as insurers view this as a sign of higher risk. Keeping a clean record often helps secure discounts and lower costs.

Value Of Equipment And Property

High-value assets such as transport crates, grooming tools, or kennels increase property insurance costs. Many sitters also add coverage for equipment breakdown or damage to protect these investments.

Types Of Animals You Handle

Not all pets carry the same level of risk. Caring for cats and dogs usually costs less to insure than handling exotic animals or aggressive breeds, which are more unpredictable and raise liability exposure.

Location Of Your Business

Where you operate matters. Businesses in high-crime areas or regions prone to natural disasters often pay more for liability and property coverage compared to those in safer, low-risk neighborhoods.

Type Of Pet Sitting Services

The services you offer directly affect premiums. In-home sitting or caring for pets with medical needs carries more risk than walking healthy dogs in familiar areas, which typically costs less to insure.

Size Of The Business

Larger operations with multiple sitters, vehicles, or a large client base face greater risks. More staff increases workers’ compensation costs, while more pets raise the likelihood of accidents or property damage.

How To Lower Your Pet Sitting Insurance Costs

Running a pet sitting business can be costly, but your insurance premiums don’t have to overwhelm your budget. While coverage is essential, there are practical ways to cut costs without losing protection.

Raise Your Deductible

Opting for a higher deductible is a simple way to lower monthly premiums. Just be sure you can comfortably cover the out-of-pocket amount if a claim arises.

Bundle Policies Together

Combining coverage often leads to savings. Many insurers offer a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) that merges general liability and property insurance at a reduced rate. Adding workers’ compensation through the same provider can unlock additional discounts while simplifying paperwork.

Ask About Discounts

Insurers frequently 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.

Build A Safer Workplace

Accidents can quickly drive up insurance costs. Keeping pets properly secured, organizing equipment, using gates or barriers, and training staff on safe handling all help reduce risks. Fewer incidents mean fewer claims, which lowers liability premiums over time.

Strengthen Your Safety Program

Workers’ compensation costs can be managed by focusing on employee safety. Training staff on lifting techniques, using carriers correctly, and wearing protective gear reduces injuries. When fewer claims are filed, premiums stay lower.