How to Get Insurance for a Pet Taxi Service

Pet taxi services offer busy pet owners a way to transport their beloved animals to the vet, the dog park, the groomer or anywhere else. If you think there's a market for a pet taxi in your community, keep in mind that you'll want business insurance to protect yourself against accidents and unexpected problems.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Remember that running a pet taxi means running a business, so you'll need standard business insurance. That includes liability insurance, property insurance and automobile insurance.

2. Think what would happen if one of the pets you're transporting ran away, got lost or died. You have to have an insurance policy that covers you in those situations, which regular business insurance may not.

3. Talk to your attorney about what would constitute "professional liability" for someone in the pet taxi business. Make sure your liability insurance covers you if a customer accuses you of professional liability.

4. Contact several insurers once you know what you need and ask if they can provide a policy that meets your needs, and how much it will cost.

5. Compare the different offers. Don't go solely by price, but also by the insurance coverage you're offered and the company's reputation for paying claims promptly (or not).

6. Read all the fine print before you sign anything. If you don't understand what a particular clause means, contact an attorney who can explain it.

Tips & Warnings

• Talk to pet groomers or dog walkers for advice.