87%of Independent Pet Sitters Carry
Zero Liability Coverage.
Book a free 15-minute resource walkthrough and fix that today.
2,400+
Sitters Protected
$0
Cost to Review
15 min
To Full Clarity
1 in 4 dog-bite claims exceeds $50,000.
Here's exactly what each coverage type pays — and what it leaves on you.
| What's Covered | No Coverage Most sitters today | Homeowner's Common misconception | General Liability Baseline protection | Pet Pro Policy Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog-bite liability | ❌ You pay out of pocket | ⚠️ Excluded for business | ✅ Up to $1M per occurrence | ✅ Up to $2M per occurrence |
| Vet bills (client's pet) | ❌ Full cost on you | ❌ Not covered | ⚠️ Riders required | ✅ Included up to $25K |
| Lost or missing pet | ❌ Replacement cost dispute | ❌ Not covered | ⚠️ Case-by-case | ✅ Search & replacement |
| Property damage (client's home) | ❌ No protection | ❌ Business exclusion | ✅ Property damage covered | ✅ Included + key coverage |
| Vehicle accidents during walks | ❌ Personal auto only | ❌ Not covered | ⚠️ Separate rider needed | ✅ Business auto included |
| Monthly cost (solo operator) | $0 now / $50K+ risk | ~$120/yr (false security) | $45–$80/mo | $25–$55/mo |
Not sure which column you're in? We'll tell you in 15 minutes — free.
Book Free Coverage Review →Only 3 states require bonding for pet-care independents.Your situation determines your exposure. Find yours below.
1 in 4
dog-bite claims exceeds $50,000
Insurance Information Institute
11 hrs
lost monthly by avg Rover sitter to admin
Pet Sitter's International Survey
3 states
only require bonding for pet-care independents
NARPS 2025 Report
$1,200
avg savings/year by bundling pet-pro coverage
NAPPS Benchmark Data
$47,200
Average out-of-pocket after first uninsured bite claim
- ⚠Homeowner's policy voids if 3+ dogs/week
- ⚠No contract = no cap on vet bill disputes
- ⚠Rover's guarantee doesn't cover you off-platform
2× exposure
Two operators means double the liability surface area
- ⚠One policy may not cover both operators
- ⚠Joint operations need business entity + insurance
- ⚠Shared income complicates claim disputes
0 days
Platform coverage remaining the moment you go independent
- ⚠Rover's $1M protection ends with your last platform booking
- ⚠First independent client = first unprotected walk
- ⚠No contract template = no legal standing in disputes
Average Rover sitter loses 11 billable hours/month to admin disputes.Six contract clauses that separate protected sitters from expensive lessons.
| Clause | No Contract | Basic Template | Shield Contract | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liability cap | Unlimited — client can sue for full replacement value of any purebred | Capped at service fee paid | Capped at verified market value + vet costs only | High |
| Vet authorization | No authority to approve emergency care — delays cost lives | Verbal authorization assumed | Written pre-authorization up to $500 without contact | Critical |
| Off-leash permission | Implied permission = full liability if dog runs | Checkbox only, no detail | Signed per-location consent with conditions | High |
| Bite history disclosure | Unknown history = unknown liability | Optional field | Mandatory disclosure + waiver if prior incident | Critical |
| Cancellation policy | No protection — clients cancel same-day with no recourse | 24-hr notice suggested | 48-hr policy with tiered fee schedule | Medium |
| Abandonment clause | Legally required to care for animal — no exit if client ghosts | Not included | Emergency surrender protocol after 72 hrs | High |
Get the Shield Contract Template
Attorney-reviewed, state-agnostic, ready to customize in 10 minutes.
Download Free Template →Have a contract already? We'll review it.
15-minute review catches the gaps most sitters miss until it's too late.
Book Contract Review →Sitters who found out before the incident.
“A client's Lab mix bolted through a gate and bit a cyclist. The vet bill hit $8,400. Because I had the Shield contract with the bite-history clause, the client's prior incident disclosure meant I paid exactly $0. Worth every minute of the review.”
Maya Thornton
Solo walker, Portland OR · 7 dogs/week
“My husband and I had been operating under his homeowner's policy for two years. Turns out it voided the moment we took on a third regular client. Shield flagged it in the first five minutes of our call. We were one incident away from losing the house.”
Priya & James Holloway
Walking team, Austin TX · 14 dogs/week
“I left Rover after three years and had zero idea that their coverage was platform-only. My first independent client walked in the door on a Monday. I booked Shield's review the Friday before. That timing probably saved my business.”
Devon Okafor
Rover graduate, Atlanta GA · now independent
Book Your Free Coverage Review
No pitch. No pressure. Just clarity on exactly what coverage you need — and what you can skip.
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