Our Final Verdict
We give Pet Care Insurance an overall rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars.
As a pet professional, you know the importance of protecting your business and your clients. You also know how unpredictable four-legged companions can be. That’s why choosing reliable insurance is so important. If you have a business in the pet industry (cat sitter, pet groomer, dog daycare, etc.), Pet Care Insurance (PCI), will protect you and your clients no matter what life throws at you. With their custom add-ons, you won’t have to worry about the what-ifs or worst-case scenarios. Whether a kitten gets sick under your care or you lose your client’s keys, PCI has you covered.
Pet Care Insurance Review
Pros
Exclusively designed for small business pet professionals
Customizable coverage
Online transactions
Claim filing is quick and easy
Live chat available
Downloadable certificate at checkout
Cons
Customizations are purchased separately
Some coverage items require deductibles
About Pet Care Insurance
PCI is an insurance provider that services small pet businesses. They were founded in 2013 as a subdivision of Veracity Insurance and have been on a mission to provide pet professionals with accessible and affordable insurance. Unlike traditional insurance, PCI only caters to businesses in the pet industry, which means they know the kinds of problems you and your furry clients face. Over the past decade, they’ve been trusted by over 14,000 pet care professionals across more than 10 industries.
A few of the industries PCI covers include:
Pet Sitters
Dog Walkers
Pet Groomers
Mobile Pet Groomers
Dog Trainers
Pooper Scoopers
Pet Kennels
Doggy Daycares
Pet Boarders
Cat Sitters
Dog Sitters
Pet Taxi Services
There’s never a good time for minor accidents or major catastrophes, and it can be hard to find insurance that gives you full coverage. But, with PCI, it’s simple. You get extensive liability coverage with the Base Policy and get to pick and choose custom policies that best fit your needs. This means cat sitters get coverage for drop-in visits while pet groomers get coverage for teeth cleanings. With their flexible policy options, you’re protected for everything you need and you’re not stuck paying for things you don’t.
Best of all, it’s affordable. PCI is committed to keeping premiums low and coverage high, so you can have peace of mind that you’re protected without blowing your budget. While PCI doesn’t offer insurance for services outside of your pet business (including pet health insurance), they’re a great option for pet professionals across the United States.
Pricing & Plans (Updated in 2024)
Pet Insurance Cost Comparison
Company
Sample Monthly Cost
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Pet Care Insurance
Premiums start at $13.33/month
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Pet Sitter Associates, LLC
Premiums start at $16.58/month
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Choice Plus Insurance Services
Premiums start at $35.40/month
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Mourer-Foster, Inc. Kennel Pro
Premiums start at $35.40/month
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Hiscox
Premiums start at $56.66/month
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Premiums start at $23.75/month
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Thimble
Premiums start at $30.25/month
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Base Policy
When you purchase insurance from PCI, you’ll get coverage for a variety of unforeseen events, like property damage, accidents, and injuries (to name a few). Unlike other insurance providers, PCI’s Base Policy includes Animal Bailee and Veterinarian Reimbursement. This means you’ll automatically get financial protection for animal-related injuries or veterinary expenses at no additional cost to you.
The Base Policy also covers the following:
Dog walkers
Pet waste removal
Pet taxi services
Basic care of client’s pet(s)
Bathing and brushing (not related to grooming)
Teaching basic commands (sit and stay)
Customizations
PCI offers custom policies for pet professionals based on individual business needs. The following options are available as add-ons to your policy.
Higher Animal Bailee Coverage Limits
If you’re liable for injuries or (worst case scenario) the death of an animal in your care, Animal Bailee protects your business. While this is automatically included in every policy, the add-on lets you purchase higher limits (up to $30,000) if needed.
Independent Contractors Coverage
This is a great option if you hire independent contractors. It provides coverage for independent contractors and lets you include them in your plan.
Broadened Property Damage Coverage
This covers property damage caused by pets under your care.
Dog Training Coverage
If you’re a dog trainer, this protects against incidents related to training beyond basic commands, like behavior and obedience.
House Sitting Coverage
This covers overnight and drop-in house-sitting services, as well as food, water, and medication administration.
Pet Taxi Coverage
Pet Taxi Coverage is a great add-on for anyone who transports four-legged friends. To be eligible, you must ensure the following:
Pets are separated in an emergency
Pets are checked for temperament
You won’t transport more than five pets in one vehicle
Employee Dishonesty
In the event an employee steals from a client or damages their property, this will cover financial loss and property damage.
Pet Daycare
This covers overnight and daytime daycares in any private location or facility that you rent or own. It also covers food, water, and medication administration.
Pet Groomers Professional
You’ll need to purchase this if most of your revenue comes from grooming and teeth cleaning.
Equipment & Inventory
Also known as Inland Marine Insurance, Equipment & Inventory protects against damaged or stolen equipment, inventory, and supplies.
Deductibles & Claims
There is a $250 deductible for Veterinary Expense Reimbursement and Equipment and Inventory coverage (per incident). You’ll pay the bill in full before reimbursement and the appropriate amount will be deducted after filing a claim.
For example, if you are pet-sitting a cat that gets sick and the vet bill is $800, you’re required to pay the $800 bill regardless of why the cat is sick or whose fault it is. Once you file the claim, you’ll receive reimbursement.
Filing a claim is easy and can be completed online through your online dashboard. All you need to do is fill out the form with your contact information and details about the incident. It’s best to check the list of exclusions before filing to make sure your incident is covered.
Within 24 to 48 business hours after submitting the form, you’ll receive a phone call or email from one of PCI’s Service Agents. The agent will gather additional information and then pass the claim to their insurance carrier (Lloyds of London), where it will be reviewed and validated. This is the longest part of the process and could take several weeks or months. If it’s approved, the claim will be settled and the process is complete.
What Does Pet Care Insurance Cover?
PCI covers a range of accidents, incidents, and liabilities. The following table shows each coverage item included in the Base Policy for all pet business owners.
Coverage Item
Annual Limit
General Liability Coverage
$1,000,000 (Each Occurrence)
$2,000,000 (Aggregate Limit)
Products-Completed Operations
$2,000,000
Personal Advertising Injury Limit
$1,000,000
Each Occurrence Limit
$1,000,000
Damage to Premises Rented to You Limit
$100,000 (Any One Premises)
Medical Expense Limit
$5,000 (Any One Person)
Pet Protection (Animal Bailee) – Animals in Your Care, Custody, or Control
$2,500 (Each Occurrence)
$5,000 (Aggregate Limit)
Veterinarian Expense Reimbursement
$1,000 (Each Occurrence)
2,500 (Aggregate Limit)
$250 (Deductible)
Lost Key Liability Coverage
$2,000 (Each Occurrence)
$2,000 (Aggregate Limit)
<strong>Not Covered</strong>
Any animals owned by the insured or breeding
Housesitting operations (without pets present) that generate more than 45% of your annual revenue
Kennel operations (more than 5 pets staying over on a single night)
Landscaping services
Livestock or farm animals
Pet services or daycare operations of more than 10 pets at one time
Pet care for animals that are not household pets
Pet taxi services for more than 5 pets at one time
Practice or participation in any athletic contest, exhibition, activity, game, or sport
Professional veterinarian services
Training operations of service, guard, protection, attack, or fighting dogs
Waiting Periods
Filing a claim only takes a couple of minutes and PCI streamlines the process for you so you can quickly and efficiently complete the process online. After submitting the online form, a Service Agent will get in touch with you via email or phone within 1-2 business days.
While filing a claim is fast, it could take several weeks or months for you to hear back from the insurance carrier about whether your claim was approved or denied. Since every case is different, there isn’t a designated waiting period, so it’s important to plan accordingly.
Reviews from Customers
With an impressive 4.9 out of 5-star rating across multiple sites, the overall consensus is that PCI is a service you can trust. Satisfied pet professionals rave about how easy and user-friendly it is to enroll in a policy, file claims, and navigate PCI’s website. When compared to competitor insurance providers, pet business owners say they switched to PCI due to their affordable prices and comprehensive coverage plans.
From the hundreds of Google reviews, it’s clear that PCI also has a stellar customer service team. Happy customers speak highly of PCI’s Service Agents, saying they were not only helpful when troubleshooting problems and answering questions, but patient, courteous, and professional while doing so.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What if I want coverage for my pet?
While PCI is a great option for pet business owners, they don’t provide coverage for furry family members. If you’re looking for pet health insurance, PCI has partnered with two premium providers, Hartville Pet Insurance and Trupanion, to help you access the pet care you need.
How long does it take for my insurance to be effective?
After your payment is verified, your policy will go into effect immediately. At this point, you’ll have access to your account and be able to add any optional policies you might need.
How long am I covered?
Your policy will be effective for 12 months. Once you’ve reached the 12-month period, you’ll have 30 days to renew it in your account. If you sign up for EZ-Renew, your policy will renew automatically.
Our Verdict
If you’re a pet professional looking for business insurance, PCI is a great option. Along with offering easy online access and a comprehensive Base Policy, they cater to individual businesses with flexible policy options. Insurance should be convenient and affordable, and with PCI, it is. They streamline the process for you and have dedicated support agents ready to answer your questions and help you find the best policy for you and your clients.
