Get a Boarding Kennel Insurance Quote

What is boarding kennel insurance?

Boarding kennel insurance is a policy type designed for businesses that specialize in pet boarding. Whether they are dogs or cats, pets can be very unpredictable. For one, they can injure you and your employee, and they can also injure themselves, while under your care. Furthermore, there are multiple liability risks storing pets on your business property may pose. You want to be financially protected against all of them.

Finally, insurance will make your business look more legitimate and give your client a peace of mind – which could only lead to more business down the road.

Who needs boarding kennel insurance?

Whether you run a small, family-owned kennel or a large pet storing facility, you need boarding kennel insurance. No matter how careful you deem your business to be, you can’t escape unforeseen incidents – whether it’s an accident involving a pet or an unexpected lawsuit. If large enough, these incidents can make a serious dent in your revenue, or worse, put you out of business altogether. It’s far easier to invest a few thousand dollars every year than to suddenly spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a liability suit.

What does boarding kennel insurance cover my business for?

A basic boarding kennel insurance policy can provide the following protections:

• General liability: This will protect you in the event of injury to third parties and pets as well as unintentional damage to someone else’s property.
• Professional liability: You might get accused of and sued for professional misconduct. For instance, if your business feeds pets, you might accidentally feed them something that makes them sick or doesn’t align with their diet. You might have to cover the pet’s medical bills as a result. If you’re insured, then your provider can pay for that.
• Property insurance: If you own or lease a facility – which given the nature of your business you likely do – property insurance will cover damages to the building and its contents due to fire, theft or natural disasters.

What insurance coverage add-ons are recommended for boarding kennels?

If you want more protections for your boarding kennel business, you can add the following to your policy:

• Cyber liability: If you handle online bookings, payments, or maintain digital records of your clients, cyber liability insurance protects against data breaches and cyber attacks.
• Business interruption: This covers lost income if your kennel operations are halted due to a covered incident, such as a fire or a natural disaster like an earthquake or flood.
• Workers' compensation: If you have employees, this insurance covers medical expenses and lost wages for employees who get injured on the job.
• Automobile liability: If you use a vehicle for your kennel, this coverage will protect you should the vehicle get damaged during your business operations.

How much does boarding kennel insurance cost in Canada?

It all depends on the kind of kennel business you operate. Your revenue, the amount of pets you store, claim history and many other factors can sway your premiums in one direction or another. That said, if you’re a small operation, run by one or two people, then your premiums may not exceed $2,500 per year. If you run larger operation that can afford a dozen employees or more, then your insurance can be as high as $5,000, or even, $10,000 a year.

To find out where you stand, we recommend research various providers and comparing their quotes. The easiest method is to use a free comparison site like RATESDOTCA to look up rates immediately. The alternative is to consult a broker who would provide multiple quotes for you.

What factors determine the cost of boarding kennel insurance rates?

Several factors influence the cost of boarding kennel insurance, including the following:

• Business size: Larger businesses with more clients and employees typically pay higher premiums due to increased risk.
• Number of animals: The bigger your kennel and the more animals it stores, the higher the risk of an incident occurring. That can result in a higher premium.
• Types of services: Are you just a kennel business? Or do you provide other services, such as pet grooming or training? The more services you provide – and the type of services you provide – the more insurance will cost you.
• Location: The cost of insurance can vary depending on where your business is located. Urban areas may have higher rates due to increased risk of accidents and claims.
• Claims history: A history of previous claims can increase your premiums. Insurance providers view businesses with fewer claims as lower risk.

How does boarding kennel insurance work?

Understanding how boarding kennel insurance works is crucial for making informed decisions. When you purchase a policy, you pay a premium to the insurance provider. In return, the provider agrees to cover specific risks outlined in your policy. If an incident occurs, you file a claim with your insurer. The provider then evaluates the claim and, if approved, compensates you up to the policy’s limits. This process ensures that your business can recover from unforeseen events without bearing the financial burden alone.

How to get the cheapest boarding kennel insurance quote

There’s no one sure-fire way to obtain the cheapest insurance quote. However, if you attempt a combination of the following, might just be able to save a few bucks:

• Compare quotes: Obtain quotes from multiple insurance providers to compare rates and coverage options.
• Bundle policies: Some insurers offer discounts if you bundle multiple policies, such as general liability and property insurance.
• Increase deductibles: Opting for a higher deductible can lower your premiums. However, be sure that you can afford the out-of-pocket expense if you need to file a claim.
• Maintain a clean claims history: Avoid unnecessary claims to keep your premiums low.