To include pet-sitting, house sitting, in home check on elders, in home sick child care etc.. I am a retired registered nurse, still holding valid license. Do I need bonding and insurance to start this business. I only plan to give out flyers and business cards in my own subdivision to begin with. Also , of course I have a valid Ga drivers license. Will offer transport of pets to/from grooming/vet. Transport of children to/from Drs/ practices.

You will need a business license of course. There are various types of insurance, if you are using your car for business then you will need to change your car insurance over for business use, if you use your home for busienss you will need special liablity insurance there.

Now forr insurance, if you have their dog or cat in your car and they escape who is going to pay for it, if they die while you have it, who is going to pay for it. And so on. If the elderly person falls when you are helping, are you going to pay their hospital bill out of your check book?

You do have to have extra liability insurance (check with your insurance company) if you are carrying children in your car, you also have to have business insurance and people will want to know if you are bonded.

I think the best way to start is sit down and do a business plan, one page each side pros and cons of doing this type of business. It will be an expensive proposition. A good thought mind you and many do it. I would call some in similar businesses and pick their brains a bit. You don't have to say you are starting up, just get all the information you can regarding the different types of insurance and what they pay yearly for it.

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Originally Posted by Peachipati

to include pet-sitting, house sitting, in home check on elders, in home sick child care etc.. I am a retired registered nurse, still holding valid license. Do I need bonding and insurance to start this business. I only plan to give out flyers and business cards in my own subdivision to begin with. Also , of course I have a valid Ga drivers license. Will offer transport of pets to/from grooming/vet. Transport of children to/from Drs/ practices.

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You will definitely need insurance if you are going to handle children, pets and elderly. You want to protect yourself against anything that may happen. A rider on your insurance policy will also be a must. Bonding is to protect you against employee theft and is not required. Even if you are starting in your own neighborhood anything can happen (slip and fall, bite, etc). You want to protect yourself.