A market guide for independent insurance agents. Last reviewed: June 2026.
Mobile pet grooming has no true admitted national program — it is a patchwork, and that is exactly why agents struggle with it. The full account needs four pieces: GL, animal bailee (pets in care/custody, including in transit — excluded from standard GL), commercial auto for the converted van, and inland marine for the built-in tubs, dryers, generators, and water tanks that auto forms will not cover.
In practice: a specialty pet program carries the GL + bailee, Progressive carries the van, and the equipment rides on an inland marine endorsement. Full packages through independent agents take 3-7 days; direct digital writers only fit solo no-van operators.
Markets identified through editorial research (June 2026) and agent placement discussions. Items marked "verify" carry details we could not confirm at the primary source.
| Market / Program | Type | How Agents Access It | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pet Care Insurance (PCI / Veracity) | Lloyd's paper (non-admitted) | Online direct | Mobile groomer policy from ~$25-27/mo; GL + animal bailee ($2,500/$5,000 standard, higher available), equipment/trailer coverage, no GL/bailee deductible. |
| Business Insurers of the Carolinas | Agency program | Direct submission | Pet-industry program since 1992, association-endorsed; shop, in-home, and mobile grooming; bailee incl. transport. |
| Governor Insurance (World Insurance Associates) | Agency program | Direct submission, 48 states | Pet-industry specialist since 1986 with an explicit mobile groomer class. |
| KennelPro (Mourer-Foster / Trucordia) | Specialty program | Direct submission | Silver Package for groomers without owned premises; bundles GL + commercial auto. |
| Progressive Commercial | Admitted | Agents + direct | The default commercial auto market for grooming vans; BOP/GL via Progressive Advantage. |
| SECURA | Admitted regional mutual | Appointed agents (select states) | Pet-care program (groomers/walkers/trainers) with bailee and inland marine. |
| biBerk / NEXT / Hiscox | Admitted digital | Online | Solo, no-employee, sub-$200K operators only — weak once vans and employees enter. |
Real placement discussions from independent agents about pet grooming & animal care insurance.
Progressive Commercial for the auto, with the grooming build-out covered on inland marine. Specialty programs (PCI, KennelPro, BIC, Governor) carry the GL and animal bailee.
It covers injury or death of pets in the groomer's care, custody, and control — including transport. Standard GL excludes it. Specialty pet programs include $2,500-$5,000 standard with higher limits available.
Only if they have no converted van and no employees. The digital writers handle simple GL, but the van and bailee exposures are exactly what they handle poorly.