Clipped, bathed and covered.
Animal care custody, general liability, mobile grooming vans, equipment and workers' comp for shop, mobile and home-based pet groomers.
By Sam Alishahi · CA Insurance License #4348151 · Reviewed October 2026 · How this page is researched
Pets in your care need their own coverage
Most grooming claims start with the animal: a nicked ear, a clipper burn, a dog that slips off the table or overheats in a dryer cage. A standard general liability policy usually excludes animals in your care, custody or control, so groomers add animal bailee coverage for injury to the pets themselves.
Mobile groomers also run a van with a water tank, generator and tub built in, which needs commercial auto and coverage for the conversion equipment. I place salon, mobile and home-based groomers with carriers that write pet services.
- Animal baileeInjury to or loss of pets in your care.
- General liabilityOwners bitten or tripping in the shop.
- Commercial autoMobile vans, including the built-in setup.
- Workers' compBites, scratches and lifting injuries to staff.
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.
- Business: salon, mobile or home-based, and address.
- Services: grooming only, or boarding, daycare and training too.
- Animals: pets groomed each week and any cats or exotic animals.
- Vans: year, make, value and built-in equipment.
- Staff: groomers and bathers, employees or booth renters.
- History: current policies and any animal injury claims.
Pet grooming insurance, answered
Does general liability cover a dog I injure while grooming?
Usually not. Most general liability policies exclude animals in your care, custody or control. Animal bailee coverage is added for that, subject to the policy terms.
Does my personal auto policy cover my grooming van?
Often not. A van used for business with a tub and generator built in generally needs commercial auto, and the conversion equipment should be listed.
Do booth-renting groomers need their own policy?
Usually yes. A groomer who rents a station and works for themselves is typically not covered by the salon's policy, and many salons require renters to carry their own.
Are dog bites to my groomers covered?
Injuries to employees fall under workers' comp, which California requires once you have employees.
Is a pet that runs away covered?
Animal bailee coverage often includes escape or loss of an animal in your care, subject to the policy.
Do you offer pet grooming 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.
Send your shop details. I'll shop it.
Salon or mobile, staff count and van details 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.
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(877) 711-4545Answered 24/7 · CA License #4348151
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