I saw a few ads on Craigslist for people who did sort of a “3 in 1” business of babysitting, house-sitting, and pet-sitting. I was wondering if liability insurance would cover a small business that offered all three of those services and, if so, what the general price range for something like that might be. It would have to cover the services offered in the person’s home, not my own home. I know a quote for something like that would probably vary but I’m just wondering if it would me around 1k a year, more like 3k a year, etc. I don’t know how the vehicle portion works either since I would probably be transporting the children, pets, etc. at certain points in my own vehicle. Any information appreciated, just curious if something like that would be possible because I see few babysitter and pet-sitter ads in my area.
Best reply by dusty_titus:
Do you feel that having this type of “Insurance” will garner you more employment then the people that are listing these services in craigslist? Why not inquire as to their “Liability Insurance” — I’m willing to bet that they don’t even know what your talking about! These odd job listers probably are living hand to mouth, and have to borrow money to get from job to job – much less have proper automobile insurance to cover transporting people for money. There are Auto Policies that cover this type of risk, but its expensive. I say challenge these “craigslist” small businesses and ask where or who is their Liability insurer is!
Read the original question on Yahoo! site
Liability Insurance Cost for Babysitting, House-sitting, etc.?
You’re going to have a hard time blanketing those three risks together.
If you were trying, EXCLUDING molestation and abuse, you’re probably looking at $2000 a year.
If you’re transporting others for a fee – like the kids, to school – you’d need a commercial auto policy, which would at least triple what you pay. It’s excluded on EVERY personal auto policy.
Ins. only goes so far. You need to be really current on the laws pertinent in your state.
It’s well and fine to transport the children and pets – but you have no control over someone else hitting you. That’s where ins. kicks in and what you’re liable for as the driver/courier. It’s far better to find out those limits before you are hit and dealing with it.
I recommend, over and above the standard coverage, that you invest in a local attorney and get an exclusion contract created. This might slow down your options for employment, but it will also guarantee that the people you are employing with are rational and not looking to hold you personally responsible for all untoward mishaps.
A simple “I’m not liable beyond the insurance companies I have provided to you at the time of employment” clause is usually sufficient.
This boils down to the old adage; “If I don’t look out for me, who will?”
I have seen people sue for the lost litters of a pet killed in an auto accident and win. We won’t even go to a lost human life. It’s expensive – any time two vehicles meet and a life is lost or damaged.
Retaining an attorney is no easier. Be sure the consult fee will be applied to the created document if you retain him/her. There’s nothing cheap about legal consolation or documentation. This is why so many coast along and pray for happy days. But stormy days happen – and they hit hard and furious, usually with a lot of lightning.
It’s “sitter’s roulette” out there. Cover your backside – or take your chances. Any time you enter another’s home – you ARE the outsider. You will be the place they look to “drop the hammer” once the shock wears off.
It’s not part of the Q, but also, just for advice? Never take personal calls while you’re on shift/duty. Don’t meet for coffee, even if a friend is taking her children to the same playground. If you are both there – that’s grand. Don’t arrange to meet there for coffee and chat. THAT is NOT YOUR JOB. Your job is to watch those kids playing – the entire time they are there and without distraction.
It’s a huge responsibility to care for another’s children. This is NOT high school babysitting. When you discuss ins., you are talking “care provider or nanny.” The law will have little tolerance for you being distracted in any manner, no matter what state you live in.