As the name suggests, personal possessions insurance covers personal items owned by you which are damaged by an animal in your care. It is important to note that it only covers damage caused by an animal in your care; not:
- any property you operate from, or vehicle you use to transport pets in your care
- any equipment you use as part of your business
- vet fees that may arise, if emergency treatment is needed
What types of personal items are covered?
The damaged items must be unrelated to your business, i.e. they must be personal.
Limits may be set out in the policy as to where the items are kept. In most cases, they will be personal possessions at your work or home. That means items like your sofa will be covered, which is useful if you offer pet sitting services in your own home.
What is not covered by personal possessions insurance?
Items related to your business are not covered. This includes things like a chewed or broken grooming table, computer records, or stock. Cash, cheques, travel cards, season tickets or bicycles are also not covered.
In addition, any items you have loaned to someone else are not included because they’re not in your care or possession. Property you’ve hired or had loaned to you is also not covered.
You’ll also need separate cover for your vehicle or its contents.
Will I get new items to replace the damaged ones?
If the item is destroyed, it will be replaced or rebuilt. You will receive a new or restored item in a similar condition to the one that was damaged. However, your insurance will not provide you with an item that is better than the item that was destroyed.
If the item is damaged rather than destroyed, your insurance will provide for a replacement or repair to restore it to the standard it was at, but not better. An insurer won’t pay more on repairs than they would have paid if the item had been destroyed.
Note that general wear and tear is usually not covered.
How much cover does personal possessions insurance provide?
This will depend on the individual insurer and the specific policy. For example, our personal possessions insurance covers damage up to £2,000 a year. Damage to a mobile phone is covered up to £500.
Is it a legal requirement to have personal possessions insurance?
It’s not a legal requirement to have personal possessions insurance. However, it is considered a good idea if you work with animals.
You can get personal possessions insurance as an optional extra with your main pet business insurance policy. It will provide valuable peace of mind, as well as protection against an unexpected expense.
What other forms of pet business insurance should I have?
This will depend on the exact nature of your business. You will usually need:
There may also be other types of insurance you need according to your circumstances. For example, if you employ anyone, even a volunteer, you must have employers’ liability insurance.
Getting appropriate cover for your business
It’s important to find the right insurer: one that understands the nature of your business and can be relied upon when needed – whether or not an emergency is at hand.
At Pet Business Insurance we have almost two decades of experience in providing insurance to small- and medium-sized pet businesses across a range of specialisms.
In addition to covering your core business liabilities, we also provide insurance for risks common to your line of work, such as loss of a client’s keys if you offer dog sitting or dog walking services.
A selection of optional policies for specific business circumstances is also available, including personal possessions insurance and employers’ liability insurance.
To discuss your pet business insurance requirements, get in touch with Pet Business Insurance today. Call 01284 736 874 or complete our online enquiry form.