Pet-sitting apps like Rover and Wag! have become increasingly popular in California. With a quick tap on a phone, pet owners can hire a dog walker to handle dog walking or pet care through the Rover app. The convenience is undeniable. But what happens if a dog injures a pedestrian, a delivery driver, or even another pet while under a sitter’s care? Many assume the app provides insurance, but the reality is more complicated and less consumer-friendly, than most people realize. If you’re looking to learn more, read on.
The Rover Guarantee: Not Real Liability Insurance
Rover advertises something called the Rover Guarantee, which sounds reassuring until you read the fine print. The guarantee is not liability insurance. It primarily covers disputes between sitters and owners or veterinary expenses for pets involved in an incident. Critically, it does not cover injuries to third parties. If you contact Rover Support, they may help with platform issues, but they don’t provide third-party liability coverage.
That means if you are injured by a Rover dog during a walk,nwhether bitten, knocked down, or otherwise harmed, Rover will not pay your medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering. This is a stark contrast to rideshare companies like Uber or Lyft, which carry liability insurance to protect the public. Even where Rover touts sitter background check processes and review by “profile experts,” those measures do not replace real insurance.
California Dog Bite Law: Strict Liability for Owners
While Rover leaves third parties unprotected, California law provides powerful remedies. Under California Civil Code § 3342, dog owners are strictly liable for dog bites that occur in public or when the victim is lawfully on private property.
Strict liability means the victim does not need to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous or that the owner acted negligently. If the dog bit someone, the owner is responsible, period. If the pet sitter or dog walker contributed to the injury, such as walking the dog off-leash in a restricted area or during a recurring service, the sitter may also be held liable under negligence law. In serious incidents, law enforcement may take a report, but civil recovery still depends on insurance and liability.
Insurance Coverage Gaps for Rover Incidents
Even though California law holds owners accountable, insurance coverage often determines whether victims actually recover damages. Unfortunately, coverage gaps are common:
- Homeowner’s and Renter’s Insurance for Owners: These policies sometimes cover dog bite claims, but many have exclusions. Some exclude coverage for dog bites altogether, others exclude specific breeds (like pit bulls or Rottweilers), and many deny coverage for incidents that occur off the insured property. If a bite happens on a public sidewalk or in a park during dog walking, the insurer may refuse to pay.
- Sitters’ Insurance: Sitters typically cannot rely on their own homeowner’s or renter’s policies because nearly all exclude coverage for business activities. Rover classifies pet care and walking as business activity, even if it is part-time. That means a sitter may be personally exposed to liability with no insurance backstop.
- Rover’s Coverage: The Rover Guarantee will not cover third-party injuries. Victims cannot rely on Rover Support to pay medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering.
The result is a dangerous coverage gap: victims often have no choice but to pursue the dog’s owner, and sometimes the sitter, directly, through insurance if possible, or out of pocket if not.
What Victims Should Do After a Rover-Related Dog Bite or Injury
If you or someone you know is injured during a Rover or Wag! booking in California, taking the right steps can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case:
- Seek medical treatment immediately to ensure injuries are properly documented.
- Gather evidence at the scene, including photographs of the dog, the location, and the injuries. Obtain witness contact information if possible.
- Identify both the owner and the sitter (Pet Care Provider), since either or both may be legally responsible.
- Do not rely on the Rover Guarantee or Rover Support for compensation; they don’t provide third-party liability coverage.
- Consult with an experienced California dog bite lawyer who understands strict liability statutes and how to navigate insurance denials.
The Bottom Line: Convenience Comes with Risk
Pet-sitting apps like Rover and Wag! have made life easier for pet owners, but they have also created significant legal and insurance blind spots. Rover’s guarantee does not protect third parties, and insurance companies often deny coverage under exclusions for dog bites, certain breeds, or off-premises incidents.
The good news is that California law gives victims strong rights under its strict liability dog bite statute. With the right legal advice, injured parties can cut through the fine print, overcome insurance loopholes, and hold the proper parties accountable.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a dog during a Rover or Wag! booking, you may still be entitled to compensation. Contact a California dog bite attorney to learn more about your options and protect your legal rights.
