Every Pet Deserves the Best — So Does Your Business.
Protecting animals, clients, and grooming operations
Pet grooming operations involve direct handling of animals, use of grooming tools and chemicals, and significant exposure to animal injury claims, property damage, and third-party liability. From grooming-related injuries and allergic reactions to animal escapes and employee bites, grooming risk is hands-on, unpredictable, and closely tied to client trust. Whether operating a mobile grooming van or a full-service salon, exposures can arise from the animals themselves, the tools used, or the grooming environment.
Properly structured insurance is essential to protect animal welfare, client relationships, business reputation, and long-term operational continuity.
Key Risks in Operations
Animal injury during grooming services
Client allegations of improper handling or negligence
Animal bites or scratches to employees or other animals
Escape or loss of an animal while in the groomer’s care
Allergic reactions to grooming products or chemicals
Property damage at mobile or salon locations
Auto accidents involving mobile grooming vans
Losses can arise even when the business is professionally managed.
Core Coverages
General Liability — Protects against bodily injury and property damage claims arising from grooming operations and client interactions.
Care, Custody & Control (Bailee) — Covers injury, illness, or death of animals while in the groomer’s care, custody, or control.
Professional Liability — Covers claims alleging improper technique, negligence, or failure to provide professional grooming services as expected.
Commercial Auto — Covers mobile grooming vans and vehicles used to travel to client locations or between job sites.
Workers’ Compensation — Provides coverage for employee injuries from animal bites, handling, and the physical demands of grooming work.
Commercial Property — Protects grooming equipment, tools, supplies, and business assets from covered physical losses.
Products Liability — Covers claims arising from grooming products, shampoos, or treatments that cause adverse reactions.
What’s Commonly Overlooked
Insurance programs are often weakened by:
Missing care, custody, and control coverage for animals under the groomer’s care
No professional liability separate from general liability
Inadequate auto coverage for mobile grooming operations
Failure to cover employee injuries from animal bites
Missing products liability for grooming chemicals and products
Gaps in coverage for animals that escape or go missing
These issues typically surface at claim time — not before.
A dog is injured during a grooming session and requires veterinary care
An animal escapes and is lost while in the groomer’s care
A client’s pet has an adverse reaction to a grooming product
A groomer is bitten and requires medical treatment
A mobile grooming van is involved in an accident en route to a client
Even a single claim can disrupt operations, damage client relationships, or impact cash flow.
Why Proper Placement Matters
Coverage varies significantly based on:
Mobile vs. salon-based operation
Types of animals groomed (dogs, cats, exotic breeds)
Employee count and staffing model
Use of subcontractors or independent groomers
State licensing and animal handling requirements
Improper placement can lead to uncovered claims, contract losses, or regulatory exposure.
Our Approach
At Cory Washington & Co., we structure pet grooming insurance programs around the hands-on, animal-care nature of the business. We coordinate liability, bailee, professional, auto, and workers’ compensation coverage to ensure your business is protected for every animal that comes through your door — or van.
Great grooming. Greater protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get pet grooming business insurance through Cory Washington & Co.?
Request a quote or contact our team. We start with a short conversation about your operations, analyze your exposures, then negotiate pet grooming business insurance across multiple carriers that compete for your account and present options with the trade-offs explained. Cory Washington & Co. LLC is licensed in all 50 states.
How much does pet grooming business insurance cost?
Premiums vary from business to business. The main drivers of pet grooming business insurance pricing are the nature of your operations, your revenue and payroll, your loss history, and the limits you carry. Rather than quote a flat figure, we negotiate across several markets and walk you through the options, so you only pay for the protection you actually need.
Who needs pet grooming business insurance?
It depends on your situation. Some coverage is required by law; more often, pet grooming business insurance is required by a contract, lease, lender, or client before they will do business with you — and even when it is not mandated, it guards against exposures that can be severe. We review your operations and obligations and tell you plainly what you need and why.
What if another agency has already declined or non-renewed my coverage?
Difficult, specialty, and previously-declined placements are a core part of our work. We access excess & surplus (E&S) and specialty markets that many generalist agencies cannot, and we explain the trade-offs clearly so you can decide with confidence.
Available in all 50 states. See how requirements differ in California, Texas, Florida, New York, or choose your state.