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June 23, 2025
In the world of pet grooming, you can do everything right and still end up facing a claim. A dog wriggles during a cut and gets nicked. A cat panics and bolts out the door. A client claims their dog is limping after a nail-trimming session.
Woman cutting poodle's hair

Pet Grooming Liability Insurance: What It Is and Why It Matters

It Only Takes One Incident

In the world of pet grooming, you can do everything right and still end up facing a claim. A dog wriggles during a cut and gets nicked. A cat panics and bolts out the door. A client claims their dog is limping after a nail-trimming session.

Even the most careful groomers can’t predict every outcome. That’s why liability insurance isn’t just nice to have. It’s essential for doing business.

Whether you groom part-time from your garage or run a busy shop with a full team, the risks are real, and accidents can happen fast.

What Is Pet Grooming Liability Insurance?

Liability insurance is designed to protect you from financial and legal fallout when things don’t go as planned. For groomers, types of liability include bodily injury coverage, property damage coverage, legal fees, and more. Liability insurance begins to work for you anytime a pet, person, or property is injured or damaged due to your services. 

In particular, liability insurance for pet groomers is vital when you are faced with any kind of legal action. If a lawsuit is filed against you, your insurance helps cover attorney costs, settlements, or judgments

This kind of insurance ensures that one mishap doesn’t ruin your entire business.

It’s not about being careless, it’s about being realistic. When you work with animals, accidents and misunderstandings are bound to happen. Liability insurance helps you handle those moments with professionalism and legal protection.

What Can Go Wrong During a Grooming Session?

Pet grooming isn’t just about suds and electric trimmers. It involves working with anxious, unpredictable animals and various sharp tools. Here are a few real-life risks that liability insurance can help with:

  1. A dog slips on a wet floor and injures their leg
  2. A groomer nicks a pet’s skin during clipping
  3. A client trips on your equipment and is injured
  4. A cat escapes during a transfer and is lost

Without liability insurance, you could be held responsible for:

  • Vet bills
  • Lost wages (if a client is injured)
  • Replacement costs
  • Legal settlements

And even if the claim isn’t valid, you might still spend thousands defending yourself. The legal system doesn’t pause just because the accident wasn’t your fault.

Liability insurance helps cover those costs so you can continue doing what you love, without losing your business in the process.

Why Insurance for Pet Groomers Matters More Than Ever

Pet parents today are deeply invested in their animals. That means expectations are high, and tolerance for mistakes is low. Grooming clients want to know they’re putting their pet in responsible, professional hands. Liability insurance gives you:

Credibility: Many pet parents (and facilities) require proof of insurance before booking

Security: You can operate knowing you’re protected if the unexpected happens

Confidence: You can focus on grooming without second-guessing every snip

Having coverage shows that you take your role (and their pet) seriously. It builds trust. And in a business that runs on referrals and reputation, that trust is everything.

We Know Groomers. We Know Insurance.

At The Wallace Agency, we help pet professionals get the right coverage for their business. Whether you run a brick-and-mortar shop or a mobile grooming van, we’ll help you protect your tools, your time, and your reputation.

We understand the unique risks of pet grooming, and we’ll make sure you’re protected from the ground up. Call us today for a free consultation!

Liz Woodiwiss
Liz Woodiwiss
Chief Editor

"Wallace Insurance Agency has done an amazing job with all of my insurance needs (and there are many)"

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Associate, NextHome
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The Wallace Insurance Agency is an amazing insurance brokerage to work with. From start to finish, they made it super easy to get a policy for commercial insurance.
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Heath Van Patten
Wallace Insurance Agency has done an amazing job with all of my insurance needs (and there are many).
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I went in to discuss insurance options with Bill and his team, and came away excited to have switched. Its always great when you come across someone who a geek and a teacher in their field.

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