A policy fits the day it's written. Then the business moves — a new service, a first hire, a van, a busier calendar — and the coverage stops matching. These five signs are the common cues that it's time to revisit what you carry.
- You added services. Boarding, doggy daycare, training, or teeth-brushing each change what could go wrong. A policy written for grooming alone may not reflect a dog that now stays overnight. When the menu grows, the coverage should be checked against it.
- You made your first hire. Bringing on a bather or a second groomer — even part-time or 1099 — changes the picture. Staffing is when workers' comp usually enters the conversation, and in most states that means having an EIN on file. A solo policy rarely fits a two-person shop.
- You took the work mobile. A van or converted rig introduces business auto use that a personal auto policy may not answer. If you started doing house calls or bought a grooming vehicle, that's a clear prompt to ask whether commercial auto belongs on the policy.
- Your revenue climbed. Gross receipts are one of the cost drivers carriers commonly weigh, and they also hint at how busy you are. A big jump in volume can mean your limits or your reported figures no longer match the business, which is worth a second look.
- The policy predates how you work now. Coverage bought a few years ago was built for the groomer you were then. New equipment, online booking that stores client records, a move, or dropped services can all leave the policy out of step. An annual review catches the drift before a claim does.
Take another look
Refresh yourself on the coverage types groomers consider and what the coverage tends to cost, then request a quote if your current policy no longer matches the work. This is general information, not a quote or an offer of coverage.