Is Your Pet Sitter Insured?
Many Americans consider their pets to be part of the extended family. Selecting a pet sitter for your furry loved-ones can be an arduous process. You might want to know more about a pet sitter's experience and qualifications. But, have you ever thought about asking if the pet sitter has insurance?
Responsible pet sitters will often have written proof that they have commercial liability insurance.
What exactly is liability insurance - and why is that important when you're hiring a pet sitter?
Liability insurance protects an individual from injuries they cause to third parties.
So if you hire a pet sitter that meets all your standard qualifications. They're terrific to your dog.
But, what if an unfortunate accident occurs? Maybe your dog is accidentally injured while the pet sitter is taking care of them. Or, maybe the pet sitter loses a key or causes property damage. You might want to sue them for damages.
If they don't have liability insurance, the pet sitter will be left defending the suit and paying for any damages themselves. This might not be for the best because the pet sitter might not have enough money to compensate you.
But, if they have liability insurance, the insurance company will be the one to pay the costs for defending and covering the damages. Some insurance companies cover up to a million dollars.
This might mean that potential lawsuits can be resolved quicker. And, it's more certain that you would be able to recover some money.
That's why when choosing a pet sitter, whether or not your pet sitter has insurance is actually relatively important. Hiring a pet sitter with insurance can offer peace of mind in case something does go wrong.
Related Resources:
- Different Types of Commercial Insurance (FindLaw)
- Pet Custody Laws: Divorces Tackle Pet Custody (FindLaw's Law & Daily Life)
- Pet Car Insurance Covers Car Accident Injuries (FindLaw's Injured)