I'm in the process of starting a Pet Sitting business and wanted to know what kinds of insurance I need to carry. I've heard business Liability insurance is a must. Is that the same as being bonded? In case something breaks in the clients home?

Thanks,

Rich

No, but they are both forms of insurance (one type of bond that you probably are not required to have is a surety bond and it's not insurance), liability insurance pays for occurrences where you are at fault and you cause monetary damages and / or other losses for which you are liable. Except dishonest acts. A "third party fidelity" bond is a kind of bond or insurance that provides coverage for dishonest acts of your employees and usually contains a conviction rider which essentially means that your employee must be convicted in a court of law of a dishonest act. It would not cover dishonest acts of the owner of the sitting service as that would be contrary to law to provide insurnce for things that are illegal and, of course, it's illegal to steal.

Liabilty insurance covers you if you break something or if the dog bites someone. A bond covers you for employee theft. If you have no employees you do not need to be bonded. However, some with get it as an advertising tool, since most people do not understanding the bonding thing. One place to get pet sitting insurance is Pet Sitters Associates, LLC.

Good luck!
Stacy
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The original poster posted once. That was on April 5, 2007. He received a good and thorough answer to his question. More than likely, he will not see any further answers that are posted.