New Data Shows How a Small Percentage of Incidents Drive a Large Share of Costs Across Pet Care Businesses

PLEASANT GROVE, UTAH - May 5, 2026 (NEWMEDIAWIRE) - Pet Care Insurance (PCI) today released its 2025 Pet Care Insurance Statistics Report, analyzing 636 customer liability claims to reveal how risk and cost impact pet care professionals in day-to-day operations. The findings highlight a clear trend: while most incidents are relatively minor, a small number of severe events account for a significant share of total losses.

The report found that the median claim was $1,286, while the average rose to $2,345 due to higher-cost outliers. Just 3.1% of claims exceeded $10,000, yet these incidents made up 24.3% of all incurred costs.

• 65.6% of all claims involved harm-to-harm pet incidents, making up a majority of reported cases

• 19% of claims accounted for pet-on-pet interactions, often occurring in shared environments or during routine handling

• 34% of claims related to grooming services, despite representing a smaller share of total providers

• 21% of claims were from waste and removal services and included some of the highest-cost incidents

“Pet care work can feel routine day to day, but the data shows how quickly a single moment can escalate,” said Kyle Jude, Program Manager for Pet Care Insurance. “In one case, a leash failure allowed a dog to break free, resulting in an attack on another dog and injuries to the owner who intervened. The incident ultimately led to a lawsuit involving both the pet owner and the walker, with total costs reaching $94,375.”

Some of the least frequent claim types carried the highest financial impact. Third-party bodily injury claims accounted for just 2.4% of total incidents. Still, they drove more than 10% of overall costs, often due to medical expenses and legal action tied to falls or intervention-related injuries.

Beyond claims data, the report also highlights how insurance influences consumer trust and business growth. 80% of pet owners said they are more likely to hire a provider who carries insurance, while 74% of pet professionals reported that clients actively value proof of coverage.

The full report combines claims data from 636 claims filed with PCI during the 2025 calendar year with survey insights from both pet owners and pet professionals. It offers a comprehensive view of how liability risk emerges in day-to-day operations and what drives cost across the industry when incidents occur. 

To learn more or view the full 2025 Pet Care Insurance Statistics Report, visit https://www.petcareins.com/pet-care-insurance-statistics.

About Pet Care Insurance

For more than a decade, PCI has helped pet sitters, groomers, and other pet care professionals get affordable business coverage with nose-to-tail protection. As a pet-business-only insurer, we understand the risks of caring for animals and build key protections like Animal Bailee and Veterinarian Reimbursement into every policy.

Buying insurance online with PCI is quick and easy. Get a free quote in minutes and access to a licensed agent for help when you need it. We exist to provide the reliable, customizable coverage you need to put pets first.

Pet Care Insurance is a brand of Veracity Insurance

Media Contact:
Kyle Porter
Virgo Public Relations
veracity@virgo-pr.com
212-584-4289