“I already have general liability insurance. I’m good, right?”
We hear this every week—and it’s one of the most common (and risky) assumptions pet business owners make.
Here’s the truth: General liability is foundational, but it doesn’t cover nearly as much as most people think. If you’re a groomer, sitter, or daycare provider and believe it protects your business from every kind of risk? You could be dangerously exposed.
Let’s clear up the confusion—so you can confidently protect the business you’ve built.
What Is Covered by General Liability?
General liability is built to protect your business from accidents involving people—not pets or employees.
Here’s what it usually covers:
- Customer injuries on-site
A client slips on a freshly mopped floor and breaks their wrist. - Damage to someone else’s property
You bump a client’s phone off the counter—or scratch a car while unloading a dog. - Personal or advertising injury
A competitor accuses you of defamation or copyright infringement. - Legal defense costs
If you’re sued for one of the above, this helps with attorney fees and settlements.
This is all important protection—but it only goes so far.
What General Liability Doesn’t Cover
This is where most pet business owners get caught off guard.
- Injuries to animals in your care
That’s a different policy—known as animal bailee. - Damage to your equipment
Think clippers, dryers, laptops. You’ll need business property protection for that. - Employee injuries
Covered under workers’ compensation. - Professional mistakes
If you accidentally cut a dog or miss a health warning—this falls under professional liability.
Real-world scenario:
A dog suffers heat stroke during grooming. The owner sues. Your general liability policy likely won’t help—because the injured party is the pet, not a person.
Why This Mix-Up Happens
It’s not your fault.
“General liability” sounds like it covers everything. But in the insurance world, “general” only refers to very specific third-party risks. Many pet pros only discover this after a claim is denied—and that’s an expensive way to learn.
A Smarter Way to Protect Your Pet Business
Think of general liability as your foundation—but not the full structure. Here’s how a full setup might look:
| Risk | What Covers It |
| Customer trips in your salon | General Liability |
| Dog injured during grooming | Animal Bailee |
| Employee slips or is bitten | Workers’ Compensation |
| You accidentally cut a dog | Professional Liability (E&O) |
| Fire destroys your dryers & clippers | Business Personal Property |
You wouldn’t run your salon with just a roof and no walls. Don’t run your business that way, either.
Ask Yourself:
- Do pets or people regularly visit your location?
- Do you rent a space that asks for a Certificate of Insurance (COI)?
- Are you mobile and entering clients’ homes?
If yes to any of these, a quick policy check is more than worth it.
What to Do Next
Now that you know what general liability does—and doesn’t—cover, take 10 minutes to review your current setup.
- Is your equipment protected?
- Do you have coverage for pets in your care?
- What happens if a grooming mistake leads to a lawsuit?
Not sure? Let’s fix that.
We’ve helped thousands of pet pros stay protected from unexpected (and expensive) surprises.
Final Word: Don’t Settle for a False Sense of Security
Having general liability is smart—but thinking it covers everything is a risky misunderstanding.
You work hard for your reputation, your tools, your team, and your clients. Let’s make sure you’re fully protected—not just partially covered.
I’m Zach Davis at Pet Business Insurance.
Let’s review your setup before the “what if” becomes “what now?”
Reach out today—no pressure, just peace of mind.
