Animal Handlers Insurance

Insurance Program Managers Group (IPMG) offers markets for properly licensed private-practice facilities that specialize in the handling and care of domestic animals. This program is designed for non-veterinary operations that provide routine animal services, including:

• Pet grooming, pet sitting, dog walking, and boarding
• Training services — obedience, service/seeing-eye, personal assistance animal training, etc.
• Dispensing medication strictly per the owner’s written instructions

Any establishment whose operations are primarily engaged in the treatment or diagnosis of animals (veterinary practices) should be submitted to veterinary-specific markets; those risks are excluded from this program.

Overview of the Program from IPMG

IPMG places Animal Handlers accounts with A-rated carriers on predominantly non-admitted paper, with admitted paper available in select states. Coverage options include commercial general liability and property, along with a specialized Animal Handlers Professional Liability endorsement to address exposures unique to animal care and handling.

Ideal Accounts and Appetite

Good fits for this program include small to mid-size, properly licensed businesses such as:

• Independent grooming salons and mobile groomers (no surgical or medical procedures)
• Professional pet sitters and dog walkers
• Boarding facilities that do not perform veterinary treatment
• Professional trainers providing obedience and assistance-animal training (non-medical)

Typical restrictions: operations that diagnose or treat animals, perform surgeries, or operate as a veterinary clinic should be placed elsewhere. High-risk boarding with uncontrolled pack play, dogfight involvement, or unlicensed breeding operations are generally not eligible.

Coverage Highlights and Advantages

• Commercial General Liability and Property coverages available
• Animal Handlers Professional Liability endorsement to address handling-related claims
• Placement with A-rated markets for stability and claims handling
• Flexibility for a range of routine animal-care businesses when properly licensed

Underwriting Notes and Minimum Premiums

Underwriting focuses on licensing, operational controls, staff training, animal temperament screening, and clear client instructions for medication dispensing. Be prepared to provide loss history, sample client waiver/consent forms, and details on on-site animal supervision.

Minimum Premium: $500–$750 per line of coverage (varies by state and submission).

Territories and Availability

This program is available in: FL, IA, IL, IN, MO. IPMG generally places coverage on non-admitted paper with A-rated carriers; admitted paper may be available in some states. Confirm availability for the insured’s state before submission.

Why Work With IPMG on Animal Handlers Business

IPMG provides targeted underwriting for routine animal-handling exposures and access to A-rated markets that understand the specific risks of grooming, sitting, training, and boarding operations. The program balances tailored coverage (including professional liability for handlers) with practical pricing for small business clients.

Example Accounts

• You might have a client who operates a licensed grooming salon with trained staff, written consent forms for medication dispensing, and no surgical procedures — this is a good fit.
• You might also place a professional dog walker with multiple employees who follows documented safety protocols and maintains client waivers.

Contact IPMG today for submissions and questions about placing Animal Handlers Insurance:

Matt Becker (IL, IN, IA)
(630) 485-5952
[email protected]

Barbara Commings (FL)
(855) 377-4764 Ext 5222
[email protected]

Leona Greeves (MO)
(314-293-9700) Ext 9705
[email protected]