INSURANCE INSIGHTS
Most bonding companies require a conviction clause to protect the employer and the employee against unjustified or unsubstantiated allegations of dishonesty , however , this may not always be in the business owner ’ s best interest . Believe it or not , there have been claims over the years where the owner of the business has stolen from their clients , and also claims where spouses and family members , while working on behalf of the bonded business owner , have stolen from their clients . Other cases have involved long time employees that business owners may have a personal relationship with who have embezzled from the business . In cases like these , you may not want to see a conviction in order for the bonding company to pay out .
Now that we have addressed what it means to be bonded and what a bond is , let ’ s determine if a bond is truly needed for your business . If you are an honest business owner , have no employees , independent contractors , or volunteers working for you , and do not train at client ’ s personal residences , you would not ever need to add the bond coverage . If you do train at client ’ s homes , but only do so with longtime friends and / or relatives who know and trust you , you may also be okay without a bond , as you know and the client know you to be honest , and the client would likely feel safe
inviting you into their home without this coverage , knowing that you would not steal from them .
However , if your business is one that is designed to perform training or consulting at or in client ’ s homes , if you use employees or independent contractors in your business , or you offer pet sitting , dog walking , or other services which require entering or having keys to client ’ s homes , I believe you should consider including the bond coverage . Consider it from your client ’ s perspective : Do they really want someone having access to their home without this guarantee in place ? Do you really feel comfortable that there is absolutely no chance any of your team would ever steal from you or your clients ? What about the potential new client who does not know you and your honest reputation , do you think they feel safe handing you the key to everything they own ? Sure , you and your team are honest and would never steal , but unfortunately people ( for good reason ) are not as trusting as they were years ago . More and more clients have security cameras or nanny cams now than ever before . Do you allow contractors in your house that are not insured and bonded when you are not at home ? Having a bond in place sets your client ’ s mind at ease and protects them if any of their property is missing when they return home . So , if you and /
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The APDT Chronicle of the Dog | Winter 2021 29