What happens if a Canine Dimensions franchisee fails to obtain the required insurance coverage?
Canine_Dimensions Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You must obtain and maintain, at your own expense, such insurance coverage that we require from time to time. We may regulate the types, amounts, terms and conditions of insurance coverage required for your Franchised Business and standards for underwriters of policies providing required insurance coverage; our protection and rights under such policies as an additional named insured; required or impermissible insurance contract provisions; assignment of policy rights to us; periodic verification of insurance coverage that must be furnished to us; our right to obtain insurance coverage at your expense if you fail to obtain required coverage; our right to defend claims; and similar matters relating to insured and uninsured claims. We are not an approved supplier or the only approved supplier of the required insurance policies. You currently are required to maintain the following insurance coverage:
- (1) comprehensive general liability coverage against claims for bodily and personal injury, death, and property damage caused by or occurring in conjunction with the operation of your Franchised Business or your conduct of business under the Franchise Agreement under one or more policies of insurance containing minimum liability coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, including product / completed operations insurance;
- (2) automobile liability (split limit) of $250,000 per person, $500,000 per accident, and $100,000 property damage for any vehicles used in the operation of the Franchised Business;
- (3) an umbrella liability insurance policy with minimum liability coverage of $2,000,000;
- (4) employer's liability of $1,000,000 per incident and Workers' Compensation or other employer's liability insurance as well as such other insurance as may be required by statute or rule in the state in which your Franchised Business is located;
- (5) professional liability insurance of $25,000 per incident; and
- (6) any other insurance that we may require in the future or that may be required according to the law or the terms of your lease.
You must maintain all required policies in force during the entire term of the Franchise Agreement and any renewal terms. We may periodically increase or decrease the amounts of coverage required under these insurance policies and require different or additional kinds of insurance at any time to reflect inflation, identification of new risks, changes in law or standards of liability, higher damage awards, or other relevant changes in circumstances. Each insurance policy must name us (and, if we request, our directors, employees or shareholders) as additional insureds and must provide us with 30 days' advance written notice of any material modification, cancellation or expiration of the policy.
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 14–17)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Canine Dimensions's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to maintain specific insurance coverage during the entire term of the Franchise Agreement, including any renewals. The required insurance includes comprehensive general liability coverage, automobile liability, an umbrella liability insurance policy, employer's liability and workers' compensation, and professional liability insurance. The amounts of coverage may be increased or decreased periodically by Canine Dimensions to reflect changes such as inflation or new risks.
Each insurance policy must name Canine Dimensions (and potentially its directors, employees, or shareholders) as additional insureds. Furthermore, Canine Dimensions must receive 30 days' advance written notice of any material modification, cancellation, or expiration of the policy.
Critically, the FDD states that Canine Dimensions has the right to obtain insurance coverage at the franchisee's expense if the franchisee fails to obtain the required coverage. This means that if a franchisee does not maintain the required insurance, Canine Dimensions can secure the necessary insurance themselves and bill the franchisee for the cost. This provision protects Canine Dimensions from potential liabilities arising from the franchisee's operations and ensures continuous coverage. This is a fairly standard practice in franchising, as franchisors need to protect their brand and system from potential lawsuits or other financial liabilities arising from franchisee operations.