What would happen if a celebrity pet in your care were injured or became ill, and you later discovered your policy did not actually cover the loss?
How confident are you that your current insurance portfolio includes the endorsements required to protect you from a multimillion-dollar lawsuit?
If you operate a luxury kennel in Nevada, especially in high-profile regions such as Las Vegas or Lake Tahoe, your business enters a category of risk that most standard pet care facilities never face. High-net-worth clients, touring performers, celebrity families, and professional poker players all trust you with pets that carry significant emotional and financial value. Yet many kennel owners are unknowingly operating without the one coverage type that protects them when the worst happens.
This guide explains why specialized Animal Bailee coverage and related endorsements are essential for VIP pet care, how often they are missing from standard policies, and what that absence means for your business.
Most Kennels Are Underinsured Without Realizing It
Many pet care businesses assume their general liability policy automatically covers injury, loss, or death of an animal in their custody. This is one of the most dangerous misconceptions in the industry. In reality, Animal Bailee coverage is often excluded, restricted, or only partially provided, unless it has been added through a specific endorsement.
This oversight is not a small problem. It is common for even established kennels to operate for years without discovering the gap until a serious incident occurs. At that point, it is far too late.
When you serve high-value pets, the stakes are dramatically higher. The absence of the proper endorsement can turn a single incident into a business-ending event.
VIP Pets Bring More Than Luxury. They Bring Liability.
The pet of a celebrity, influencer, or high-net-worth individual is treated as part of the family, and sometimes as part of the brand itself. If that pet is injured or lost, the emotional and reputational ripple effects for the client can be enormous.
Without the proper endorsement in place:
- Claims involving the pet may be denied
- Legal fees become your responsibility
- Emotional distress claims can escalate rapidly
- Your business reputation can suffer immediate and lasting damage
Many VIP pet owners also have legal teams ready to respond to any perceived negligence. The lack of correct coverage removes your financial protection entirely.
Why Animal Bailee Coverage Is Non-Negotiable in the VIP Market
Animal Bailee coverage is designed to protect you when an animal in your care is injured, lost, or passes away. In the VIP space, this coverage shifts from a helpful addition to an essential safeguard. It ensures that:
- You are protected when the unexpected occurs
- Your insurance responds to the full breadth of your care, custody, and control
- You are not personally responsible for replacing high-value animals
- You can maintain trust with high-profile clients in difficult moments
Many business owners mistakenly believe they have this protection. In many cases, they do not.
The Missing Endorsement Problem
Insurance providers do not automatically include Bailee coverage for kennels. Even if your agent believes you are covered, the policy wording may say otherwise. Common issues include:
- Coverage added only for grooming or training, but not boarding
- Coverage provided per location, leaving mobile or off-site services unprotected
- Low default limits with no valuation guidance
- Fully excluded Bailee coverage unless formally requested
For kennels serving VIP clients, these gaps can create catastrophic exposure. The only way to confirm your protection is through a detailed review with a specialist who understands the pet services industry.
Why General Liability Alone Will Never Be Enough
General liability protects you from slip and fall incidents, property damage to others, and certain types of negligence. It does not cover:
- Injury to pets in your care
- Loss or disappearance of an animal
- Damage caused by an employee’s mistake
- Emotional distress damages related to the pet
Without the Bailee endorsement, the very risk that defines your business is left uninsured.
Elevating Protection for High-Profile Clients
VIP pet care requires more than standard insurance. It requires intentional planning that considers privacy, high client expectations, and legal exposure. In addition to confirmed Bailee coverage, most VIP kennels strengthen their protection with:
- Excess Liability to defend against large lawsuits
- EPLI policies that include third-party privacy claims
- Cyber coverage that protects sensitive client information
- Staff confidentiality training with signed NDAs
- Documented protocols and service logs
These elements work together to support your insurance and reduce the likelihood of claims.
The Reputation Risk You Cannot Ignore
A single uncovered incident involving a celebrity pet can become public within hours. The reputational fallout can be as damaging as the financial costs. Proper coverage proves your professionalism and prepares you to handle difficult situations with transparency and confidence.
Your clients expect you to be ready. Failing to carry the right endorsement can break trust instantly.
You Cannot Serve VIP Clients Without the Correct Coverage
If you intend to work with high-value or celebrity-owned pets, confirmed Animal Bailee coverage is not optional. It is the foundation of responsible operation. Many business owners believe they already have this coverage. A review of their policy often shows otherwise.
This gap must be identified and corrected before you accept your next VIP booking.
Is Your Bailee Coverage Actually in Place?
Before you board even one high-profile pet, schedule a confidential review of your insurance portfolio. Our Nevada kennel insurance specialists can help you confirm whether your current policy includes the Bailee endorsement you need, along with the supporting coverages required to operate safely in the VIP space.
Contact us today for a review and a customized quote designed specifically for high-end clientele.
