 |
 |
|
|
|
|
We are not versed in the ins and outs of Worker's Comp by any means. But we did want to mention a few things:
PSA PET SITTER INSURANCE special updates & Policy Newest Updates, Changes & Clarifications are put the top... PSA Appendix A: PSA Policy See http://www.insfac.com/petsitters.htm to view the entire policy. Page 3 has the animals info.
2006-June Email Clarification: Overnight Boarding Overnight boarding at your own home (kenneling) is included in your basic insurance for 1 or 2 (or just a few) times. Overnight boarding at your own home for more than a few times is only covered IF you have the optional day-care coverage, and you do 3x as much doggy daycare in your own home as you do boarding (NOT pet sitting - pet sitting is not a factor). Seems like a strange clause, so we asked for clarification. Here are the responses:
2006 Newsletter Update: Negligence changes
3/16/2006 Email Update: Overnight Petsits clarification (to a member)
2/26/2006 PSA Newsletter Update: House Sitting Coverage
Feb 2006 Newletter Updates Please request a copy if you did not receive one. Changes have been made to include some house sitting. Also, posted verification was made that yes ALL animals that you care for in your animal care business ARE covered (but they point out the $10,000 limit per occurrence is still an important consideration). Also a great Q & A section. Previous Info, From 2005: If we do have questions, we should gather them up as a group
and send them at once. PSA did say they
did appreciate this much over the past few weeks as it helps weed out the easy
questions. They also remind everyone to
view the FAQ – as most basic
info about the insurance policy is included there. I’d like to remind you that you actually have
to READ it to find it (if you haven’t done your homework first, then don’t bug
us or them please! We are all here to
help when you need it, but not to do the work for you!). Business Insurers of the Update (2005): Coverage of ALL Animals According to Page 3 of the PSA policy (Endorsement AB), coverage
of the policy applies Animals in your Care, Custody, and Control. There is no
exclusions for farm animals, non-domestic animals, etc. This was verified by a rep at PSA via email on
Examples of NON-'pets'
would be livestock farms, breeding farms, showing horse farms, horse boarding
facilities. If it provides the client with a form of income, it's likely
NOT covered. 2005 Answers to Some Questions Colleen Giles,
an underwriter from PSA
was generous enough to provide some answers to 12/ 9/2005 - More answers to questions, by Colleen
Q: If a client dog bites someone (not the sitter), and isn't
vaccinated for rabies (or other usual vaccinations for that matter),
do you cover the person's injuries and treatment?
Does that coverage change in a state where rabies vaccinations (or
other vaccinations) are required? Some people lie about
vaccinations, or avoid them because they feel they are dangerous -
sitters in these states are wondering if it is their responsibility
to turn down clients who may not have proper vaccinations. Sitters
also wonder if they should be keeping track of the vaccinations each
time they sit, and if we have to call the vet each time to verify.
A: Personally I would not work with an animal that has not had a rabies vaccination. Rabies is lethal and personally I feel that all dogs should be vaccinated for rabies at all times. However, if a pet sitter were to choose to work with an animal that is not vaccinated and the animal were to bite someone other than the pet sitter and give that person rabies, PSA might cover the exposure. I say "might" because I wouldn't be surprised if the insurance company were to argue that the pet owner is responsible for not vaccinating their animal and therefore the pet owner should pay the medical bills that are directly related to rabies. I don't know for sure what would happen in this situation, but it is possible that the company would deny the claim. My suggestion would be that a pet sitter not work with a client that is knowingly not vaccinating an animal. Not only would this protect the pet sitter if someone else was bit, but it would also protect the pet sitter if he or she was bit and contracted rabies. I personally just don't think the risk is worth it since rabies is very, very dangerous.
Q: A sitter cleans up a poo on a rug. The poo stain does come out.
Immediately after cleaning, the rug fades in that spot. Is this
covered? The sitter is clearly negligent in not testing the cleaner
on the rug first, although testing it would have been impossible
without fading SOME part of the rug to the owners distaste (but at
least it would have been in a non-visible location).
So since sitter was being negligent, is that covered?
Are all stains CAUSED by the sitter (either during cleanup, or from
footprints, dropping stuff, etc) covered? Does using the client's
specified cleaning products as instructed factor into that
coverage? Anything else we should remind sitters about this type of
damage to property? We all realize this is one of the more common
claims, and we'd like to know EXACTLY what to expect, and how to
properly handle these sitations (and word them in our contracts).
A: If the stain is caused by some sort of negligence by the pet
sitter and the pet sitter has purchased the special property
coverage (for an additional $85.00), the stain would be covered by
PSA. If the animal causes the stain from being ill or something
else that is out of the pet sitter's control, then the pet sitter is
not negligent as the animal would have been ill even if the pet
owner had been there and that stain may not be covered by PSA.
Q: Do you cover overnight pet sits in a CLIENT'S home? A couple of
sitters have asked this, and we got conflicting answers (one got
something like this would be "house sitting" not "pet sitting" so it
wouldn't be covered).
It would seem to me there is no way to distinguish what constitutes
an overnight from any other pet sit (time of day is pretty
irrelevant). But I wanted to check with you!
FYI I do have down that: No it's NOT covered at the SITTER'S home
unless you have the extra kennel coverage AND no more than 25% of
your income comes from overnight stays.
A: Overnight stays at the pet owner's home are covered as long as
its in conjunction with a pet sitting job and less than 25% of the
time. If a pet sitter is staying overnight more than 25% of the
time or staying over when there are not pets at the home, then this
is considered house sitting in insurance terms and this pet sitter
would need to contact an independent insurance agent for coverage.
As for a definition of overnight stays... I guess its overnight when
the pet sitter is actually staying at the pet owner's home and
sleeping there. If you need to bring a toothbrush... its an
overnight stay.
*** This answer has since been correct - see updates above
Q: Just to verify, you DO cover poop scooping of a yard, with NO
additional pets on premise/ or pet sitting. (I.E. a professional
Poop Scooper, not pet sitting or dog walking).
FYI I do have down that any other type of service to a client that
does not also occur in conjunction with pet sitting where there is
at least one animal is NOT covered.
A: Pooper scoopers are different then pet sitters as it is actually
better in many ways if there is not a pet present. In this case,
there does not need to be a pet present at the time to make coverage
acceptable. Obviously there would just need to be a pet there on a
daily or very regular basis in order for a pooper scooper to be
needed in the first place and this is enough for coverage.
Q: This one actual happened last week, but sitter has worked it out
with client...
A sitter decides at day 4 of 6, after a 3rd incident where a big dog
lunges aggressively at a passerby (this time with a small dog in the
hallway of the client's apartment complex while leaving the
apartment door, last time knocked sitter off her feet nearly
injuring herself), that the dog is too dangerous for her to take
outside. Client is notified of the dogs aggressiveness each day,
and on day 4 is notified the sitter refuses to take dog out any
longer. Client calls another sitter to cover, but dog is so
aggressive, it won't let the other sitter into the apartment after
multiple tries (other sitter never met dog before). First sitter
puts papers out for the dog to go potty on, and is willing to do
what it takes to clean up accidents, but will not risk injury to
take dog outside. Sitter spends lots of extra time at client's
house, but doesn't charge for it. Client tells sitter not come
for the last visits if she refuses to take dog out since that is the
most important part of the pet sitting contract, and books a trip
home early. Client plans to sue sitter for plane ticket home, pet
sitting fees (wants a refund) for the days cancelled and more, and
hotel fees for her trip being 'completely ruined'. What parts of
these "lawsuit" items would you cover?
A: As I am not a lawyer I cannot say what the pet sitter should have
done legally. And unfortunately this is in the grey area of what is
and is not covered so I can't even really say if this would be
covered by PSA or not. However, it appears that the pet sitter did
everything she could to avoid injuries to others and still care for
the animal. I would suggest that the pet sitter submit a claim to
PSA (call Jeanine at 800-472-6919, ext. 265) and let the company
decide on this one. I really don't know if this is going to covered
or not, but I think its worth a try.
Q: Is there an age requirement for covered pet sitters? (I think PSI's is 18). A: Due to the fact that minors cannot enter into legal contracts and therefore cannot sign their applications (our form of a contract) we have an age requirement of 18-years-old for the pet sitters themselves. However, minor children of the pet sitter's are automatically included under the policy so if a pet sitter has a 16-year-old daughter working with him or her, she is automatically included and there is no need to pay an additional $70 to cover her. If you have any further questions or I have just confused you more, please contact me. BUSINESS INSURERS special updates 12/18/06 PSI Newsletter Article, David Pearsall: CCC Limit now available up to $200,000 with additional fees. Increased loss key coverage to $2500. New House-sitting endorsement available for $100. Clarification about in-your-home (boarding) coverage with endorsement. All changes apply upon renewal time for current members, or 10/1/2006 for new members. See PSI newsletter for details. 12/4/06 Email to a member: "Our policies are only issued effective the first of each month. We are currently working on the effective date of 12/01/06. We will need your application and premium by 12/07/06. If received after 12/07/06 the policy will not be effective until 01/01/07". The same applies to the bonding policy. - Laura Bridges, BIC 2006 We do not have the specific information on whether or not Business Insurers Insurance covers horses and livestock without any exclusions. However, if you check their faq, it does say
So that would imply that they do cover all animals. Also, the March 2006 PSI newsletter has a quote that says something to the effect that they cover all animals through Zebras as long as the animal is actually a client's pet. The fact that you can get higher limits with this insurance (as compared with the other ones listed above) is a good thing and needs to be factor you consider when you select your insurer if you are taking care of expensive animals. NAPPS Teleconference Updates 4/2006 (Summarized): Common Spring & Summer Claims:
Expensive summer claims:
1) Am I covered if someone gets bit?
2) What kinds of things are NOT covered? READ THIS - great info!
3) Should you require a minimum visit per day for certain kinds of animals?
4) Are all animals covered.
5) If you hire an IC, which insurance covers the client?
6) Are overnights covered - yes, at the client's house. 7) Is "Job Sharing" covered.
8) If a dog comes up to me and my leashed client dog, and bites the client dog, is it covered
9) Is housesitting covered (no pets)
Mourer-Foster, Inc special updates
Emails on 8/18/06 with
Dennis A. Stowers,
CIC, LIC
Special Programs
Division
Mourer-Foster, Inc.
In reference to the Hartford Plan Only:
1. Is this insurance only available in the USA, and if so is it available in all states? A. ( all 48 States )
2. Is the care
custody and control written in for all animals in your care (i.e.
are there any specific exclusions for a horse, or farm animals
(like a chicken), show animals, outside-only pets, livestock,
etc)?
A. ( While there is no restrictions in the policy the pet sitters program is designed for the pet dog/cat exposure. If you have an occasional large animal situation that is not a problem )
3. Does the
insurance cover just the insured person, or insured + spouse,
and/or any employees?
A. ( yes and it also includes volunteers )
4. Are the pet
sitters children under 18 covered under this plan (in case they
brought them along to sits)?
A. ( Need to be specific on this one -. The liability is to protect the named insured ( see above ) If the child is not working then there is no liability on your part other than if they do something to cause a claim you are covered and they would be considered a volunteer )
5. Are there
any deducables? A. ( no )
6. Is there
coverage for nail clipping, or any grooming included?
A. ( yes )
7. Is any doggy
daycare and/or boarding in the pet sitters home included?
A. ( Doggy daycare should be covered under our Kennel Pro Program. This policy is more for the one /two dog exposure for a pet sitter )
8. Is
housesitting without pets included (housesitting is generally one
15 minute visit 2-5x per week to a home)? A.
( yes )
9. Is Pet Taxi
coverage included (outside of the regular auto insurance)?
A. ( animals in your care are covered there is no exclusion or territory limitations )
10. Are
overnights at the client's home covered?
A. ( yes )
11. Is
poop-scooping covered? What if there is no pet sitting at the
same time?
A. ( this is covered )
12. What is the
care, custody, and control limit per occurance?
A. ( the general liability adds the coverage back into the policy at the limits of $1,000,000.00 or whatever limits are written for the general liability ) When asked to confirm in a 2nd email: ( For the most part all general liability policies exclude property in your care,custody and control ( animals ) . What we do is add an endorsement that takes that exclusion out of the policy and gives you coverage for the animals in your care. Since this is an endorsement to the basic general liability policy the limits on the general liability policy does not change.So in reality you have the same limits on an animal as you would have under the general liability coverage of $1,000,000.00. Now in actual exposure unless you are watching Rin-Tin- Tin or Lassie the exposure and the replacement of an animal would never reach that amount. )
13. Does the
plan include any coverage for non-neglegence animal injuries?
A. ( here is a specific question and would be based on the actual event. If a dog just died of old age while pet sitting what is our negligent? If there is negligent then we would pay )
14. Do you
offer any additional coverage options for things like:
theft/mysterious disappearance/accidental breakage (outside of
what the bond covers), grooming, daycare, lawncare, higher
limits, etc?
A. ( We can discuss the exposures but when you put lawn care and pet sitting together this would not be something that the company would put under the pet sitting program.)
3/6/2006 Email
Clarification: House Sitting
Which Do Current Sitters Choose? We can't tell you what insurance will work best for your business, but here is a poll that might help you decide. This poll lists what insurance current pet sitters have. The poll was taken on the AboutPetSitting yahoo message board. As of 2/26/2006, here's how the insurance poll has come out so far: ALL RESULTS See more current results at: And please VOTE when you've made
your choice also! You MUST join AboutPetSitting to open the
above link (membership is free for newbies and old hat serious pet sitters).
|