Play groups and overnights, one policy.
Animal bailee, general liability, property, workers' comp and professional liability for dog daycares, boarding kennels, breeders and pet cafes.
By Sam Alishahi · CA Insurance License #4348151 · Reviewed October 2026 · How this page is researched
Dog fights, escapes and staff bites
Daycares and kennels hold dozens of dogs at once. Fights in play groups, illness that spreads through a kennel, escapes through an open gate and bites to staff are common sources of claims.
Coverage for the dogs themselves is the center of the policy. I add general liability, property for runs and equipment, and workers' comp, which matters because bites and lifting injuries are common for kennel staff.
- Animal baileeInjury, illness or death of dogs in your care.
- General liabilityBites to visitors and escaped dogs.
- Workers' compStaff bites and lifting injuries.
- PropertyRuns, fencing, grooming tubs and HVAC.
What underwriters will ask
Having these ready means I can go to market on the first call. The quote form asks for the same things, and anything you don’t know yet can wait.
- Facility: address, capacity, indoor and outdoor areas.
- Dogs: daily and overnight counts.
- Screening: temperament tests and vaccine rules.
- Staff: dogs per staff member in play groups.
- Services: grooming, training, transport, sales.
- History: current policies, bites and claims.
Dog daycare insurance, answered
If two dogs fight, who pays the vet?
Animal bailee coverage often pays vet bills for a dog in your care, subject to the per-animal limit and policy terms. Your waiver and incident records matter.
Is a kennel cough outbreak covered?
Some bailee forms cover illness, others only injury. I check the wording before you buy.
Do I need workers' comp for kennel staff?
Yes in California once you have employees. Bites and lifting injuries are real risks for kennel staff.
Can I get coverage with a bite history?
Often, with details on what happened and what changed. Specialty markets write facilities that standard carriers decline.
Do you offer dog daycare and boarding insurance outside California?
Yes. Clients across the country send the same quote form. Sam Alishahi is licensed in 48 states and Washington, DC and places policies there directly. In Florida and Washington, where Sam's licenses are still being issued, a partner agency in your state helps in the meantime. The shopping across carriers works the same way. Rules, minimums and markets differ by state — see insurance requirements by state.
Tell me your capacity. I'll shop it.
Address, dogs per day and staff count are enough to start.
Alishahi Insurance · Saman Alishahi, independent insurance broker, California License #4348151. General information, not a quote or a promise of coverage; coverage depends on underwriting and the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy actually issued. Some policies may be placed with nonadmitted (surplus lines) insurers, which are not members of the California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA).
Tell me how to reach you. I’ll take it from there.
Takes about 30 seconds. Your application link comes by email right away, and you get an update at every step until your quotes are ready.
(877) 711-4545Answered 24/7 · CA License #4348151
Get a reminder before your renewal.
Tell me when your policy renews and I’ll email you about six weeks before, when it’s worth comparing. One email, no calls.