You've got your grooming table, your clippers are sharp, and you're ready to turn your passion for pets into a business. But here's what stops most new groomers in their tracks: insurance. Not the exciting part of launching your dream, but absolutely the most important. One slip, one nervous dog, one misunderstanding with a client—and without the right coverage, your business could be over before it really begins.
The good news? Getting the right insurance isn't complicated when you understand what you actually need at each stage. This guide walks you through exactly what coverage to get on day one, when to add more as you grow, and the expensive mistakes that trip up most new pet grooming businesses.
Day One: The Non-Negotiable Coverage You Need Before Your First Client
Before you groom your first paying customer, you need two types of insurance. Not next week, not after you "see how things go"—now. The average pet grooming business pays around $69 per month for basic coverage, which is far less than a single lawsuit would cost you.
General liability insurance is your foundation. This covers you if a client slips on your wet floor and breaks their ankle, or if a dog escapes and damages someone's property. Most groomers carry $1 million to $2 million in coverage, which costs about $64 monthly. Think of it as the price of staying in business.
Here's what surprises most new groomers: general liability doesn't cover injuries to the pets in your care. That's where animal bailee insurance comes in. Also called "care, custody, and control" coverage, this protects you if a pet gets injured, goes missing, or worse while you're grooming them. Start with at least $2,500 per occurrence and a $10,000 aggregate limit. This is the coverage gap that has bankrupted more grooming businesses than any other.
Adding Professional Liability: When Your Reputation Needs Protection
Once you're booking regular clients—especially if you're working with show dogs, expensive breeds, or commercial clients like veterinary offices—professional liability insurance becomes essential. This covers you when someone claims you made a grooming error or provided negligent service. Maybe you used the wrong blade and caused a skin irritation, or a creative cut didn't turn out as expected.
Professional liability runs about $55 per month and provides $500,000 to $1 million in coverage per claim. Many commercial clients won't work with groomers who don't carry it. If you're planning to partner with pet stores, doggy daycares, or veterinary clinics, add this coverage before you pitch them.
Growth Triggers: When to Upgrade Your Coverage
Your insurance needs change as your business evolves. Here are the key moments when you need to add coverage:
When you hire your first employee, workers' compensation insurance becomes legally required in most states. This isn't optional. Workers' comp covers medical bills and lost wages if an employee gets bitten, injured by equipment, or develops repetitive strain injuries. Get this coverage the day before your first employee starts—not after someone gets hurt.
If you're running a mobile grooming business, commercial auto insurance is mandatory from day one. This is the mistake that costs mobile groomers the most. Your personal auto policy won't cover you when you're using your vehicle for business. And here's the kicker: those expensive van conversions—your tubs, tables, generators, battery banks—aren't covered under basic commercial auto either. You need a policy that specifically covers your mobile grooming equipment. Without it, a single accident could wipe out your entire investment.
When you grow past five employees or open a physical location, it's time to consider a Business Owner's Policy (BOP). This bundles general liability, commercial property, and business interruption coverage into one package. The average BOP for pet groomers costs about $80 per month, and it protects everything from your building to your lost income if you have to temporarily close due to a covered event.
Common Mistakes That Cost New Groomers Thousands
The biggest mistake? Assuming general liability covers everything. It doesn't cover the pets you're grooming, your employees, or your mobile equipment. Each of those needs separate coverage.
Another costly error: choosing the cheapest policy without reading the fine print. Low coverage limits might save you $20 a month, but if you cause $100,000 in damages and only have $50,000 in coverage, you're personally liable for that $50,000 gap. Insurance isn't the place to cut corners.
Working with an insurance agent who doesn't understand pet grooming is also risky. General business insurance agents often don't know about animal bailee coverage or the specific equipment protection mobile groomers need. Find an agent or carrier who specializes in pet businesses—they'll spot coverage gaps before they become problems.
Your Action Plan: Getting Started the Right Way
Start by getting quotes from at least three carriers that specialize in pet business insurance. Be specific about your business model—mobile versus brick-and-mortar, solo operation versus employees, types of animals you'll groom. The more accurate your information, the better your quote.
Budget for insurance as a fixed monthly cost, not an optional expense. For a solo groomer working from home, expect to pay $100-150 per month for comprehensive coverage. Mobile groomers will pay more—around $200-250 monthly when you include commercial auto. If you have employees, add another $100-200 per month for workers' compensation.
Review your coverage every year, especially when your business changes. Hired a new employee? Call your agent. Bought expensive new equipment? Update your policy. Started grooming exotic animals? That might require additional coverage. The pet grooming industry is growing at 7.3% annually through 2030, and successful groomers protect that growth with the right insurance strategy from the start.
Starting a pet grooming business takes skill, dedication, and the confidence to turn your passion into profit. Getting the right insurance means you can focus on building your client base and perfecting your craft, knowing you're protected against the unexpected. Get quotes, ask questions, and get covered before you groom your first paying customer. Your future business depends on it.
