I was driving three client dogs to a trailhead in my SUV. I stopped at a red light, but the guy behind me didn’t. BAM. My car was totaled, and the dogs were thrown around the cargo area. One broke a leg. My personal auto insurance covers my car, but they denied coverage for the dogs’ vet bills because I was “using the vehicle for commercial purposes.” My business General Liability denied it because it “excludes auto accidents.”
Key Takeaways
- The “Auto Exclusion” Gap: General Liability (GL) almost never covers claims involving a car.
- Personal Auto Denial: If you transport dogs for a fee (even if the fee is just part of the walk price), your personal auto policy can deny everything—even damage to your own car—due to “livery/business use.”
- You Need “Non-Owned Auto”: This covers your liability if you crash your own car while working.
- Inland Marine / Bailee: This covers the injuries to the dogs inside the car.
The “Why” (The Trap): The Double Denial
You are stuck between two policies that hate each other.
- Personal Auto: “You were working? Not covered.”
- Business GL: “You were driving? Not covered.”
To fix this, you need a Commercial Auto Policy OR a “Hired and Non-Owned Auto” endorsement on your business liability, AND a personal auto policy that knows you use the car for business (Rideshare/Business endorsement).
[IMAGE: Diagram showing the “Coverage Gap” between Personal Auto and General Liability]
The Investigation: I Called Them
I asked, “I drive dogs. Who pays if I crash?”
1. Progressive (Personal Auto)
- The Answer: “You need to add a ‘Business Use’ endorsement or switch to a Commercial Auto policy.”
- Cost: Commercial auto was about $50/mo more than personal. Worth it.
2. PCI (Business GL)
- The Answer: They offer a “Pet Taxi” upgrade or “Non-Owned Auto” add-on.
- Crucial Detail: This covers the dogs (Bailee) and my liability to the other driver (if my personal insurance fails), but it does NOT fix my car.
3. Travelers (Commercial)
- The Answer: A full commercial fleet policy. Overkill for a solo walker, but necessary if you have employees driving vans.
Comparison Table
| Scenario | Personal Auto Only | GL Only | Commercial Auto / Endorsements |
| Damage to Your Car | Denied (Business use) | Excluded | Covered |
| Vet Bills for Dogs | Excluded | Excluded (Auto clause) | Covered (Bailee/Cargo) |
| Damage to Other Car | Denied | Excluded (Auto clause) | Covered |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Call Your Auto Insurer: Tell them you use the car for dog walking. Ask if you need a “Business Use” class. If you hide this, you are committing fraud and risking denial.
- Add “Non-Owned Auto” to GL: This protects your business assets if you are sued for a crash.
- Crate the Dogs: In 2026, distracted driving laws are strict. If a dog is loose in the car and causes the crash, you are 100% at fault. Use crash-tested crates.
- Pet Taxi Coverage: Specifically ask for this if you charge a separate fee for transport.
FAQ
Does Uber Pet cover me?
No. That is for passengers with pets. Not for a sitter transporting pets alone.
What if I drive the client’s car?
You need “Hired/Non-Owned Auto” liability. This covers you driving a vehicle you don’t own.
Who pays the vet bills?
Your “Animal Bailee” coverage (attached to your business policy) pays the vet, provided it doesn’t have an “Auto” exclusion. Check that specific clause!