“I thought we were covered.” It's a phrase that appears repeatedly in housesitting forums, usually after something has gone wrong. A sitter is injured by a dog. Property is damaged. A pet passes away. The platform's “protection plan” turns out to cover less than expected – or nothing at all.
Important: This article provides general information about common insurance gaps in housesitting. It is not legal or insurance advice. Coverage varies by platform, policy, and jurisdiction. Always read the actual terms and consult professionals for your specific situation.
The big misconception
Platform “plans” are often not insurance
Many platforms explicitly state in their terms that their protection offerings are not insurance policies. They may provide some coverage for specific situations, but they're not the comprehensive protection people assume.
The terminology is carefully chosen: “protection plan,” “coverage,” “support” – words that sound like insurance but aren't.
What's typically NOT covered
Every platform is different, but these gaps are common:
Sitter injuries from pets
If a dog pulls you over and you break your wrist, or a cat scratches your eye, who pays? In most cases, platform protection doesn't cover sitter medical expenses. You'd need your own health/travel insurance.
Sitter injuries in the home
Slip by the pool? Fall down steep stairs? Your own insurance typically needs to cover this. Some homeowners' insurance policies explicitly exclude third-party occupants.
Pet death (unless negligence proven)
If a pet dies during a sit, there's generally no payout unless the homeowner can prove sitter negligence – which is extremely difficult and rare. The emotional loss has no coverage.
Sitter damage without proof
Platform protection often requires clear evidence that the sitter caused damage. “It wasn't like that when I left” versus “I didn't do that” disputes are common and hard to resolve.
Cancellation costs
If a sitter cancels last minute, you might lose your holiday booking. Some premium memberships offer cancellation coverage, but it typically has limits, conditions, and an excess.
Emergency vet bills (often)
Some terms require sitters to pay vet bills upfront and seek reimbursement. If the homeowner disputes the necessity or won't pay, the sitter may be stuck with the bill.
For homeowners: what you need to know
Your home insurance might be affected
Some home insurance policies have clauses about:
- • How long you can leave your property “unoccupied” (sitters may or may not count as occupation)
- • Third parties living in your home
- • Running a “business” from the property (if you charge for housesitting)
- • Liability for injuries to non-family occupants
One forum poster reported their insurer threatening to cancel their policy entirely after learning about housesitters. Check your policy.
What to do
- Tell your home insurer. Let them know you'll have housesitters. Ask specifically whether coverage is affected.
- Check your pet insurance. Is treatment covered when administered by someone other than you? Are there notification requirements?
- Read the platform terms. Actually read them. Understand what their “protection” does and doesn't cover.
- Consider additional cover. Some insurers offer specific “home-sharing” or “short-term occupant” add-ons.
For sitters: what you need to know
Platform terms often require you to have insurance
Buried in the terms of service, many platforms state that sitters “must arrange and have in place” their own insurance. This includes:
- • Personal liability insurance
- • Health/medical insurance
- • Travel insurance (for international sits)
Many sitters discover this requirement only after an incident. Don't be one of them.
What to do
- Get travel insurance with medical cover. Essential for international sits. Make sure it covers activities like pet care.
- Consider personal liability insurance. In case you accidentally cause damage or injury.
- Check if your existing policies cover you. Some home country policies extend abroad; some don't.
- Read the platform terms. Know what you're agreeing to and what coverage (if any) you're getting.
- Ask homeowners about their insurance. Are you covered under their policy if something happens?
Common scenarios: who pays?
Dog pulls sitter, causing broken wrist
Usually: Sitter's own health/travel insurance. Platform protection rarely covers sitter injuries.
Sitter accidentally breaks expensive vase
Depends: Platform may cover if sitter admits fault. Disputes are common. Homeowner's contents insurance might apply.
Elderly pet dies during sit (natural causes)
Usually: No payout. The emotional loss isn't covered. Pet insurance may cover cremation costs.
Pet needs £2,000 emergency surgery
Complex: Terms often require sitter to pay upfront. Reimbursement depends on owner's pet insurance and willingness to pay.
Sitter cancels 3 days before, owner loses holiday booking
Maybe: Premium memberships may offer limited sit cancellation cover. Standard memberships usually don't.
Visitor to the home is bitten by the dog
Varies: Homeowner's liability insurance should cover, but may have exclusions. Sitter could be liable if they failed to control the pet.
What Actually Happens When You Try to Claim
These theoretical coverage gaps become very real when you actually try to use them. Here's what sitters and homeowners report in forums:
Cancellation Claims
“After our most recent pet sit, I do not see any way to actually collect on the insurance for cancelled sits. We have had two cancelled sits we have not been able to get reimbursement or an explanation.”
— Sitter, THS Forum
One sitter reported being caught in a catch-22: told they'd violate the platform's Code of Conduct by accepting a cancellation from the homeowner, yet the policy explicitly voids coverage for “mutually agreed cancellations.” They ultimately stayed at the property rather than risk filing an unwinnable claim.
When Claims Do Succeed
It's not impossible to get reimbursed — but it takes time:
“Reimbursement received approximately 2.5 months after submission”
— Sitter who successfully claimed after booking alternative accommodation when a sit was cancelled four days before start date.
Sitter Injuries
This is one of the starkest gaps — and most surprising to new sitters:
“I was injured when a dog lunged forward on the leash, resulting in a broken hand, broken front tooth, and multiple stitches. I had necessary time off work with no pay, with medical bills and lost pay in the thousands.”
— Sitter asking about reimbursement, THS Forum
The answer to their question? Platform protection doesn't cover sitter injuries. They were on their own.
Home Insurance Complications
It's not just platform coverage that's complicated. Homeowners' own insurance can create problems:
“My insurance company told me my insurance would no longer be valid if I have cat sitters living in my home, and threatened to cancel the policy. This would leave me without insurance one week before my sit.”
— Host, THS Forum
Coverage Gaps Confirmed
Some sitters have done the legwork of reading the fine print:
“THS provides insurance for cancellations, vets etc., but my reading is that it does not cover things like accidental damage.”
— Sitter seeking additional coverage, THS Forum
The Lesson
Don't assume you're covered. Don't assume the platform will help. Read the actual terms. Get your own insurance. And clarify expectations with the other party before something goes wrong — not after.
Why paid arrangements can be clearer
When you're hiring a housesitter directly (rather than through a free-exchange platform), you can:
Professional sitters often have their own liability insurance. This clarity is one reason some homeowners prefer paid arrangements over the ambiguity of platform “protection.”
Action checklist
Homeowners
- ☐ Review home insurance policy
- ☐ Inform insurer about housesitters
- ☐ Check pet insurance coverage
- ☐ Read platform terms (actually read them)
- ☐ Clarify emergency payment arrangements
- ☐ Consider umbrella liability policy
Sitters
- ☐ Get travel insurance with medical cover
- ☐ Consider personal liability insurance
- ☐ Read platform terms (actually read them)
- ☐ Ask homeowners about their coverage
- ☐ Clarify vet bill payment expectations
- ☐ Keep receipts for any expenses
The bottom line
Platform “protection” isn't the safety net people assume. Both sitters and homeowners should understand what's covered, what isn't, and take responsibility for their own insurance.
The good news: incidents are rare. Most sits go smoothly. But being prepared for the rare problem means it won't become a financial disaster.
Related: our insurance considerations page