Looking for Dog Walking Insurance?
Dogs are certainly man’s best friend, so if someone is entrusting you to look after, walk and exercise their dog then they’re going to want the reassurance that you’re properly protected with dog walking insurance.
With a group of unpredictable dogs to watch on a dog walk, accidents may happen such as tangled leads causing trips and falls, or even dogs damaging third party property. It’s important to have some form of dog walking insurance, as even if the injury or damage is caused by a dog under your watch, you could be the one feeling the sting of a compensation claim and legal costs too.
What insurance do I need for a dog walking business?
There are many types of dog walking insurance that you might want to take out if you’re looking after other people’s dogs which can include:
- Employers’ liability
- Public liability insurance for dog walkers
- Professional indemnity
- Care, custody & control of animals
- Custodial responsibility
- Buildings insurance
- Contents insurance
- Stock insurance
- Goods in transit
- Computer or business equipment
- Money insurance
Dog walking public liability insurance
If you’re out and about walking dogs, then you’re more than likely to come across members of the general public and their property and this is where public liability insurance for dog walkers comes in handy. This type of dog walking insurance typically provides cover if a dog you’re walking causes any injury or damage and the third party wants to claim compensation or legal expenses or if you cause any damage during a pet home visit.
Employers’ liability insurance for dog walkers
If you’ve got employees working with you to walk dogs or help groom then by law, you’re required to take out employers’ liability insurance. This type of dog walking business insurance will help take the financial sting away if your employees are injured or become ill whilst at work – and with over-excited dogs bounding around during a walk it could come in handy!
Care, custody & control of animals insurance
With such a responsibility to care for someone else’s dog, it might be worth looking at a care, custody and control of animals insurance policy. This can help you cover associated costs if the dog gets lost or injured during their time with you:
Dog Walking Insurance – Useful FAQs
Sometimes tools and equipment can be covered under a general business insurance policy, however if it’s not then you might want to think about taking out a tools insurance policy. This can help to cover you for leads, harnesses and anything you may use to groom the dogs in your care.
If you’re using your van to pick up, drop off or transport dogs for your business then you will need to make sure you state that the vehicle will be used for business purposes when taking out the policy. Some insurers may have exclusions on their policies though, so you’ll need to double check when purchasing the policy.
If you’re a member of the National Association of Registered Pet Sitters (NARPS) then you may be entitled to a discount on your policy, just make sure by speaking to your insurer.
Some insurers might classify a dog walker as a ‘pet minder’ or ‘pet sitter’ so look out for those also and if in doubt contact them directly to make sure.
This will depend on the individual insurer who will specify their upper limit in the policy documents.
Prices can vary dramatically depending on where you live in the country, how many dogs a client has and how often and for how long they want you to walk them. On average, dog walkers can earn anywhere between £6 and £15 for walks lasting half an hour all the way up to two hours.
Sadly not. Although some pet insurance policies may cover the cost of kennels or catteries.