Pet Waste Removal Business Insurance
Getting business insurance for your pet waste removal company is essential.
Business insurance policies provide coverage for property damage, financial loss, and personal injury.
For example, your pet waste removal business may face legal action from a resident who alleges your operations pose a nuisance. However, the good news is that there is insurance to cover such circumstances.
We’ll help you find the most personalized and affordable coverage for your unique business.
Recommended: Next Insurance is dedicated to matching small businesses with the right policy at the best price.
Best Insurance for a Pet Waste Removal Business
General liability insurance is — generally speaking — one of the most important insurance policies for pet waste removal companies.
Some of the risks general liability insurance covers are:
- Bodily injury
- Property damage
- Medical payments
- Legal defense and judgment
- Personal and advertising injury
Regardless, your pet waste removal company may also need protection from other risks. Three common risks that many businesses are exposed to and the policies that cover them are:
- Errors and Omissions insurance: This type of insurance protects a pet waste removal company from claims of negligence or mistakes in the performance of their services.
- Commercial auto insurance: If the pet waste removal company uses vehicles to transport employees or equipment, commercial auto insurance is necessary to cover damages or injuries resulting from accidents.
- Workers' Compensation Insurance: If the pet waste removal company has employees, workers' compensation insurance is necessary to cover medical expenses and lost wages in case of work-related injuries or illnesses.
When obtaining insurance for your business, you typically have the option to select from two types of insurers: traditional brick-and-mortar insurers, such as The Hartford, Hiscox, and Nationwide, or online insurers, like Next and Tivly.
It is highly recommended to opt for online insurers, as they generally provide better value for money. This is because they sell insurance through digital channels, resulting in lower operational costs that allow them to offer cheaper quotes.
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Cost of General Liability Insurance
On average, pet waste removal businesses in America spend between $300 - $700 per year for $1 million in general liability coverage.
Compare the average cost of general liability insurance for a pet waste removal business to other professional industries using the graph below.
Several factors will determine the price of your policy. These include your:
- Location
- Deductible
- Number of employees
- Per-occurrence limit
- General aggregate limit
You may be able to acquire general liability insurance at a discounted rate by purchasing it as part of a business owner’s policy (BOP) rather than as a standalone policy.
A BOP is a more comprehensive solution that includes multiple forms of coverage, such as business interruption and property insurance.
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Common Situations That General Liability Insurance May Cover for a Pet Waste Removal Business
Example 1: During a visit to a potential client’s home, you trip over her cat, fall into her entertainment center, and destroy her large television. General liability insurance would pay to replace her damaged property.
Example 2: A competitor files a lawsuit against your company, claiming you libeled his business in your advertising campaign. While you’re unclear how your advertising constitutes libel, you know you need to hire a lawyer to protect your business. General liability insurance would pay for your legal defense and any required settlement.
Example 3: While working in a client’s yard, an employee accidentally runs into the client and knocks her to the ground. The client breaks an arm in the fall and decides to sue your business for damages. General liability insurance would pay for your legal defense and any required settlement.
Other Types of Coverage Pet Waste Removal Businesses Need
While general liability is the most important type of insurance to have, there are several other forms of coverage you should be aware of. Below are some of the most common types of coverage:
Commercial Auto Insurance
The vehicles you use primarily for your pet waste removal business require commercial auto insurance to protect the vehicle, driver, and others on the road in the event of an accident. Be sure to select a policy that covers not only accident-related vehicle repair costs and medical treatment for anyone injured but also sufficient protection for any business equipment or supplies you carry in your vehicle.
Commercial Property Insurance
You made a major investment to establish your business. In the event of a fire, theft, or natural disaster, commercial property insurance would cover the cost of repairing or replacing your business-related property. This includes structural damage to your building as well as the equipment and supplies you store there.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance
If you have any employees, most states will require you to carry workers’ compensation insurance for your part-time and full-time workers. This coverage protects your employees if they become injured at work or fall ill after a work-related accident. It not only covers an employee’s medical bills and lost wages if they need time to recover but also any disability or death benefits stemming from a workplace accident.
Home-Based Business Insurance
If you run your business from your home, you may need this insurance to safeguard the equipment and space in your home devoted to your business. A typical homeowners insurance policy may not cover business-related items or client injuries on your property if you don’t disclose you use your home for business purposes. In the event of a lawsuit, this coverage would pay for your legal fees and other associated costs.
Additional Steps To Protect Your Business
Although it’s easy (and essential) to invest in business insurance, it shouldn’t be your only defense.
Here are several things you can do to better protect your pet waste removal business:
- Use legally robust contracts and other business documents. (We offer free templates for some of the most common legal forms.)
- Set up an LLC or corporation to protect your personal assets. (Visit our step-by-step guides to learn how to form an LLC or corporation in your state.)
- Stay up to date with business licensing.
- Maintain your corporate veil.
Pet Waste Removal Business Insurance FAQ
Yes, absolutely. You will need to first get a quote from an online business insurance provider like Next Insurance. Next allows you to then purchase a policy immediately and your coverage will be active within 48 hours.
A typical business owner’s policy includes general liability, business interruption, and commercial property insurance. However, BOPs are often customizable, so your agent may recommend adding professional liability, commercial auto, or other types of coverage to your package depending on your company’s needs.
"Business insurance" is a generic term used to describe many different types of coverage a business may need. General liability insurance, on the other hand, is a specific type of coverage that business owners need to protect their assets.
Generally speaking, yes. Right from the start, a pet waste removal company needs business insurance coverage. Insurance can provide a safeguard for your business against a range of potential risks, such as financial loss, personal injury, and property damage. Furthermore, specific types of insurance may be mandatory to meet state regulations.
Not necessarily. Certain exceptions may be written directly into your pet waste removal business insurance policy, and some perils may be entirely uninsurable.
Yes, an LLC is meant to create a legal barrier between your business and your personal assets and credit. If you haven’t formed an LLC yet, use our Form an LLC guide to get started.
An LLC doesn’t protect your business assets from lawsuits and liability– that’s where business insurance comes in. Business insurance helps protect your business from liability and risk.