Small Businesses
Tech Companies
Motor & Fleet

Common industry risks   

Understanding the risks in your industry and how our comprehensive coverage responds to protect your business.

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The Risks

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Risks Response

Care, Custody and Control

A client's property or animal is damaged or injured while in your care, and the owner makes a claim for the resulting loss or repair costs.

Care, Custody and Control is a benefit under some Public Liability Insurance Policies. It may respond to damage claims where client property is in your care.

Products Liability

A leash, treat or shampoo you sell causes injury or property damage to a customer after they take it home, and a claim is made.

Products Liability Insurance may respond to compensation and legal costs arising from bodily injury or property damage caused by a product you sold.

Public Liability

While grooming at a client's home, you damage flooring or fittings and they make a claim for repair costs.

Public Liability Insurance may respond to third party injury and property damage claims arising from your business activities.

Public Liability

A dog in your care bites a visitor on the premises and they seek medical costs and compensation from your business.

Public Liability Insurance may respond to third party injury and property damage claims arising from your business activities.

Public Liability

A customer slips on a wet salon floor during drop-off and makes a claim for injury and related treatment costs.

Public Liability Insurance may respond to third party injury and property damage claims arising from your business activities.

Care, Custody and Control

The Risks

A client's property or animal is damaged or injured while in your care, and the owner makes a claim for the resulting loss or repair costs.

Risks Response

Care, Custody and Control is a benefit under some Public Liability Insurance Policies. It may respond to damage claims where client property is in your care.

Products Liability

The Risks

A leash, treat or shampoo you sell causes injury or property damage to a customer after they take it home, and a claim is made.

Risks Response

Products Liability Insurance may respond to compensation and legal costs arising from bodily injury or property damage caused by a product you sold.

Public Liability

The Risks

While grooming at a client's home, you damage flooring or fittings and they make a claim for repair costs.

Risks Response

Public Liability Insurance may respond to third party injury and property damage claims arising from your business activities.

Public Liability

The Risks

A dog in your care bites a visitor on the premises and they seek medical costs and compensation from your business.

Risks Response

Public Liability Insurance may respond to third party injury and property damage claims arising from your business activities.

Public Liability

The Risks

A customer slips on a wet salon floor during drop-off and makes a claim for injury and related treatment costs.

Risks Response

Public Liability Insurance may respond to third party injury and property damage claims arising from your business activities.

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Important: Scenarios are examples only. Coverage is subject to policy terms, conditions and exclusions. Limits and sub-limits might apply. Policy wordings vary between insurers. Refer to the PDS or Policy Wording for details.

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Products

Coverage for Pet Care Businesses

Public & Products Liability, Commercial Motor Fleet, and more for Pet Care Businesses from leading insurers

Public & Products Liability

Covers injury & property claims from your services, products or at your business

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Commercial Motor Fleet

Covers business vehicles for damage to your vehicle or a third party’s, property damage or injuries to others (excl CTP)

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Business Pack

Can include property, contents, glass, electrical equipment, business interruption, theft, contents

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Cyber & Technology

Includes Professional Indemnity and Cyber & Technology Liability insurance for tech businesses

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Claims examples

Common claims against Pet Care Businesses

A few common situations, explained simply, so you know what claims can look like.

Loss of Documents
SCENARIO

On a busy footpath, a dog slips its harness while you are walking it and runs into the road. A cyclist swerves to avoid the dog and crashes, damaging their bike and injuring their shoulder. They allege you were negligent and demand payment.

WHY IT’S COVERED

Public Liability Insurance may respond to third party injury and property damage claims arising from your business activities where you are legally liable for the loss.

Broken TV at Client Home
SCENARIO

While pet sitting, you move a dog crate through the lounge and accidentally knock over the client’s TV. The screen shatters and the client wants it replaced. They say the damage happened while you were providing pet care services in their home.

WHY IT’S COVERED

Public Liability Insurance may respond to third party property damage claims arising from your business activities where you are legally liable for the loss.

Slip in Grooming Salon
SCENARIO

A customer drops off their dog at your grooming salon and slips on a wet floor near the wash area. They fall and injure their back. They claim you did not put up signs or clean up quickly and they seek compensation for treatment and time off work.

WHY IT’S COVERED

Public & Products Liability Insurance may respond if you are held legally liable for a third party injury on your premises, including legal defence costs and damages.

Dog Walker Bite Claim
SCENARIO

During a midday walk, a dog in your care lunges at a passer-by and bites their hand. They need stitches and time off work. The injured person says you did not control the dog and asks you to cover medical bills and lost income.

WHY IT’S COVERED

Public & Products Liability Insurance may respond if you are legally liable for a third party injury from your pet care work, plus defence costs and damages.

SCENARIO

A support worker gave a participant the wrong medication due to a mislabeled pillbox. The participant experienced severe drowsiness and dehydration, requiring overnight hospitalization.

WHY IT’S COVERED

Costs included $8,200 for hospital and rehabilitation, $12,500 for legal defence, and a $7,500 settlement to resolve the claim out of court.

Manual handling damage

SCENARIO

A support worker gave a participant the wrong medication due to a mislabeled pillbox. The participant experienced severe drowsiness and dehydration, requiring overnight hospitalization.

WHY IT’S COVERED

Costs included $8,200 for hospital and rehabilitation, $12,500 for legal defence, and a $7,500 settlement to resolve the claim out of court.

SCENARIO

A support worker gave a participant the wrong medication due to a mislabeled pillbox. The participant experienced severe drowsiness and dehydration, requiring overnight hospitalization.

IS THIS COVERED?

Costs included $8,200 for hospital and rehabilitation, $12,500 for legal defence, and a $7,500 settlement to resolve the claim out of court.

SCENARIO

On a busy footpath, a dog slips its harness while you are walking it and runs into the road. A cyclist swerves to avoid the dog and crashes, damaging their bike and injuring their shoulder. They allege you were negligent and demand payment.

IS THIS COVERED?

Public Liability Insurance may respond to third party injury and property damage claims arising from your business activities where you are legally liable for the loss.

Loss of Documents
SCENARIO

While pet sitting, you move a dog crate through the lounge and accidentally knock over the client’s TV. The screen shatters and the client wants it replaced. They say the damage happened while you were providing pet care services in their home.

IS THIS COVERED?

Public Liability Insurance may respond to third party property damage claims arising from your business activities where you are legally liable for the loss.

Broken TV at Client Home
SCENARIO

A customer drops off their dog at your grooming salon and slips on a wet floor near the wash area. They fall and injure their back. They claim you did not put up signs or clean up quickly and they seek compensation for treatment and time off work.

IS THIS COVERED?

Public & Products Liability Insurance may respond if you are held legally liable for a third party injury on your premises, including legal defence costs and damages.

Slip in Grooming Salon
SCENARIO

During a midday walk, a dog in your care lunges at a passer-by and bites their hand. They need stitches and time off work. The injured person says you did not control the dog and asks you to cover medical bills and lost income.

IS THIS COVERED?

Public & Products Liability Insurance may respond if you are legally liable for a third party injury from your pet care work, plus defence costs and damages.

Dog Walker Bite Claim
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Important: Scenarios are examples only. Coverage is subject to policy terms, conditions and exclusions. Limits and sub-limits might apply. Policy wordings vary between insurers. Refer to the PDS or Policy Wording for details.

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FAQs

Pet Care Businesses insurance queries

How do I make a claim?

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You should notify your insurer as soon as you become aware of a claim or circumstance that may give rise to a claim which could include a client complaint, you discovering an incident or an allegation of harm. Claims should be made in writing and handled in line with the claims notification requirements which will be outlined in your policy wording.
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How do I make a claim?

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What is a Certificate of Currency?

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A Certificate of Currency is issued by an insurance company and is something you can use as proof that your existing insurance policy is valid. It contains all the information regarding your policy. You may be asked from time to time to prove your insurance - for loans to your business, for landlords of your premises, or for certain clients you might have. The moment you purchase your insurance from upcover you can send your proof of insurance to whoever requires it, at just a click of a button.
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What is a Certificate of Currency?

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How quickly do I need to report an incident to my insurer?

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You should notify your insurer as soon as you become aware of any incident, claim, or circumstance that may give rise to a claim. Professional Indemnity insurance typically operates on a "claims made and notified" basis, meaning both the claim must be made against you AND you must notify the insurer during the active insurance period (or discovery period if applicable). Late notification after policy expiry may not be covered unless you have purchased an extended discovery period. Prompt notification is essential to protect your rights under your insurance.
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How quickly do I need to report an incident to my insurer?

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What is a retroactive date?

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A retroactive date is the earliest date from which a claim can arise and still be covered under your policy. Professional Indemnity and certain other claims-made policies will only respond to claims arising from acts, errors or omissions that occurred on or after the retroactive date listed in your policy schedule. If an incident occurred before your retroactive date, it typically will not be covered even if the claim is made during the current policy period. Maintaining continuous cover without gaps helps protect your retroactive date — check your policy schedule or ask your broker if you are unsure of your retroactive date.
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What is a retroactive date?

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What factors might impact the cost of policy premiums of insurance for pet business?

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The cost of insurance for pet business in Australia varies depending on several factors. These typically include the nature and scope of your business activities, annual turnover, number of employees, location, claims history, and the cover limits and the applicable excess. For Commercial Motor cover, insurers also consider vehicle make, model, value, usage and driving history. Where additional covers such as Professional Indemnity or Cyber insurance are relevant to your operations, the services you provide and the sensitivity of data you hold may also affect your premium. Because each business is different, costs can vary significantly and premiums may change at renewal in line with risk and claims experience.
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What factors might impact the cost of policy premiums of insurance for pet business?

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Do pet care businesses need Public Liability insurance?

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Public Liability insurance is designed to cover claims where a client or member of the public is injured or their property is damaged as a result of the services you provide. While it is not a legal requirement for pet care businesses in Australia, it is commonly held by pet care businesses across Australia. Many clients, venues and booking platforms may require you to hold a current Public Liability policy before they will engage your services. Without this type of cover, you could be personally liable for legal costs and compensation claims. Speaking with an insurance broker can help you understand whether Public Liability cover is appropriate for your circumstances.
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Do pet care businesses need Public Liability insurance?

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