Most insurance gaps aren't dramatic — they're small assumptions that go unchecked. Here are six to watch for as a pet groomer.
- Assuming general liability covers the pet. General liability is generally associated with third-party injury and property damage and often excludes the animal you're actively grooming. Groomers who stop at GL may be missing animal bailee for pets in their care.
- Skipping animal bailee / pet floater. Because pet injury is the exposure groomers worry about most, leaving out coverage focused on animals in your care, custody, and control is a common gap.
- Under-disclosing what you do. Boarding, daycare, training, or selling products all change your risk. Not mentioning them up front can lead to coverage that doesn't match the business.
- Treating a mobile rig like a personal vehicle. A personal auto policy may not respond to business use. Mobile groomers often need commercial auto for the van or trailer.
- Choosing limits that are too low. The cheapest option isn't always the right one. A limit that looks fine on paper can fall short on a serious claim.
- Never reading the exclusions. What a policy leaves out is as important as what it includes. Skimming past the exclusions is how surprises happen at claim time.
Avoiding the gaps
The fixes are mostly about asking the right questions and disclosing how you really operate. Start with the coverage types groomers consider, review the questions to ask before buying, then request a quote.