More families in the USA are choosing home pet boarding instead of taking their pets to loud, busy kennels. It gives animals a quiet and cosy place to stay while their owners are away. According to recent 2025 reports, the pet sitting and home boarding market is expected to pass $2.6 billion by the end of this year. With so many pets being cared for in homes, keeping them safe is more important than ever. That’s where pet home boarding insurance comes in. It helps protect the pets, the sitter, and the home where they stay.
What Is Pet Home Boarding Insurance?
Pet home boarding insurance is a special kind of insurance for people who take care of pets in their own homes as a business. If something goes wrong, this insurance helps cover the costs. For example, if a dog breaks furniture or bites someone, the insurance helps pay for the damage or medical bills. Without it, the sitter may have to pay thousands of dollars. In 2025, the average cost of a dog bite claim in the United States rose to over $68,000. That’s a big reason why this insurance is so important.
It’s Different from Regular Pet Insurance
Some people think pet home boarding insurance is the same as pet insurance, but it’s not. Pet insurance covers vet bills for pet owners, not the person watching the pet. Also, regular home insurance doesn’t usually help when something happens during a business activity. If a dog damages your home while staying there for pay, your homeowner’s insurance might not cover it. That’s why insurance for a pet boarding business is so important. It fills the gaps and helps the company stay safe.
Why Pet Boarding Liability Insurance Is a Must
Running a pet boarding business from your house can be fun, but it’s not without risks. What if a dog escapes and runs into traffic? What if a pet becomes sick while in your care? What if a guest trips over a pet toy and gets hurt? These things happen often. Over 4.7 million people in the USA are bitten by dogs each year, and 1 in 5 of those bites need medical care. Liability insurance helps with these issues. It covers medical bills, legal costs, and property damage. It protects your business, your money, and your reputation.
It Helps Build Trust with Pet Owners
Pet owners want to feel safe leaving their furry friends with someone else. They want to know that their pets are in good hands. Having pet home-boarding insurance shows them that you are a professional. It proves you are ready to handle anything that might happen. In 2025, a survey showed that over 70% of pet parents are more likely to choose sitters or boarders with insurance. It gives them peace of mind and can even help you get more customers and charge better rates.
How Pet Boarding Software Can Help You Stay Covered
Keeping track of insurance documents, payment dates, and renewals can be hard, especially when you’re busy with pets. Free Pet Boarding Software will also remind you and help you manage all insurance tasks if you are using the software. It keeps your paperwork organized, so you never forget to renew your policy or lose an important file. This software also tracks client info, pet records, and appointments. Many small pet boarding businesses in 2025 use this kind of software to stay on top of things and avoid mistakes.
Picking the Right Insurance Plan
Finding one that fits your business is important when choosing pet home boarding insurance. You want a plan that includes general liability, animal injury coverage, and property damage. Some policies even cover emergency vet visits, stolen items, or lost keys. If you watch rabbits, guinea pigs, or birds, you might need small pet boarding insurance because some plans only cover dogs and cats. The cost depends on where you live, how many pets you care for, and how often you board animals. In 2025, most home boarders pay between $300 and $650 per year for coverage. That’s less than $2 a day for strong protection.
What About Pet Insurance That Covers Boarding?
Sometimes, people confuse pet home boarding insurance with pet insurance that covers boarding costs. That kind of insurance is for pet owners, not pet sitters. It helps pay for pet boarding if the owner is in the hospital or has an emergency. It’s helpful for families, but it doesn’t protect the pet sitter or their home. Anyone running a home pet care business must get their insurance.
Stay Legal and Avoid Fines
Many cities and counties in the USA now require pet sitters to carry business insurance before they can operate legally. In 2025, over 60% of U.S. states updated laws around pet business insurance. Without the right coverage, you could be fined or shut down. Some local governments won’t approve your license unless you show proof of insurance. That’s why checking your local rules and ensuring your business is ready is important.
Why Pet Home Boarding Insurance Truly Matters
Getting pet home-boarding insurance is not just about following rules or having paperwork. It’s about protecting what matters. It keeps your pets safe, guards your home, and helps you sleep better at night. It also shows pet owners that you take your job seriously. Even if you’ve never had a problem, you never know what might happen next. As more families choose home boarding, now is the perfect time to ensure your business is ready.
Don’t wait until something goes wrong. Having insurance is one of the smartest things you can do for your pet care business. It protects, builds trust, and helps you stay on track as your business grows.