Do you need insurance to start dog walking?

Employers' liability insurance is legally required if you employ non-family members as staff. It's highly recommended to get business insurance from the outset of your dog walking business, even before you sign your first client as there could be unexpected challenges that may put your finances at risk. For instance, your equipment could be stolen, or an accident could happen during a walk. Having the right insurance in place ensures you're protected against these unforeseen events and helps establish your business as reliable and professional from day one.

What does public liability insurance cover for dog walkers?

Public liability insurance for dog walkers provides essential coverage in case your actions lead to injury or property damage. If a dog in your care causes harm to another person, damages property, or if someone is injured during a walk, this insurance can cover the costs of medical bills, repairs, and legal fees. It helps protect your business from the financial consequences of accidents and ensures you're covered in situations where you may be held liable for damages or injuries to third parties.

How many dogs can you legally walk?

The rules on how many dogs you can walk at once are typically set by local councils. As well as following the law on how many dogs you can walk, you should make sure that you comply with the terms in your insurance policy. If you walk more dogs than permitted, any claims you make are likely be unsuccessful.

Will I be covered if a dog is stolen?

If your dog walking insurance policy includes care, custody, and control coverage, it may protect you if a dog in your care is stolen. However, not all policies automatically cover theft. To ensure you're fully protected, carefully review your policy's terms and conditions and check if theft is explicitly included. Some insurance plans may have exclusions or limitations, so it's essential to clarify these details with your provider. For complete peace of mind, confirm that your insurance policy offers theft coverage for dogs under your supervision.

Do I need a licence to be a dog walker?

There’s no legal requirement to hold a dog walking licence, but you will need to get one from your local council if you offer pet boarding or dog sitting from home. Also, specific local councils require a dog licence if you plan to take dogs in your car to certain locations, such as Royal Parks.

What other laws should I consider as a dog walker?

You’ll need to abide by a range of laws that apply if you’re dog walking. The good news is they all make sense. For instance, you must keep dogs on leads at all times when by a road or near livestock. All dogs must have a collar with the owner’s name and address. Also, you must clean up mess left in public areas, or face a fine of up to £1,000. Potentially dangerous dogs must be kept on a lead, and either have a collar or muzzle. Banned dogs, such as XL Bullies, can be seized by the police or dog wardens – even if they are on a lead and not misbehaving.

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Professional dog walking insurance: protect your business and your clients' pets

Comprehensive coverage for dog walking professionals, ensuring the safety of pets, people, and property during every walk.

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What is it? How does it work?Types to consider Why should I get it?How to choose How much does it cost?What's not covered?FAQs

What is dog walking insurance?

Dog walking insurance provides vital protection for pet care professionals. This specialised coverage can safeguard you against potential risks and liabilities associated with managing dogs while out and about.

Key components:

Public liability protection
Accident and injury insurance
Third-party property damage coverage
Professional indemnity protection

Dog walking insurance can shield you from the financial consequences of dog-related accidents, injuries to pedestrians, or property damage. By securing comprehensive insurance, you will be able to demonstrate professional responsibility and protect your business from legal and financial risks.

How does dog walking insurance work?

The best insurance for dog walkers is made up of different policy elements, which combine to make sure you’re thoroughly protected.

Public liability is important as your business involves being outside, meeting other people and other pets.

You’ll also need employers' liability insurance if you hire any staff, even on an ad hoc basis, unless they are members of your immediate family.

It's also worth considering personal accident cover in case you suffer an injury during a walk. Likewise, business equipment cover is worth having if you have specialist equipment, such as a car dog crate and a laptop to manage bookings. Speaking of tech, if you hold your clients’ personal details online, then cyber insurance might also be useful.

The number of dogs in the UK^[1]

13.5million

Types of cover to consider

Public liability

Public liability insurance for dog walkers is important because it’ll cover you if a pet gets harmed in your care. It also covers claims made against you by the public for accidental injury or property damage.

Business equipment

To run a successful dog walking business you'll need a lot of equipment, from leads and appropriate clothing to toys and waste bags. You might also use certain technology to run your business, for example a phone or laptop to take and track bookings. This insurance will cover the cost of repairs or replacements if this equipment gets damaged, lost or stolen.

Personal accident

Dog walking involves a lot of time outside, so it's a good idea to be prepared if something happens during the walk. This cover can protect you by paying compensation for loss of earnings if you get injured during a walk and can't work.

Employers' liability

Employers' liability insurance is a legal requirement if you employ any staff – temporary, part- or full-time – who aren’t immediate family members. This covers the legal and compensation costs associated with claims made by employees.

Why should I get dog walking insurance?

Dog walking insurance is essential for protecting your business against potential risks, such as unexpected vet bills or legal fees if a dog is lost or injured while in your care. Without this coverage, you could face significant financial setbacks that could damage your business.

Additionally, having insurance can enhance your credibility and reassure customers, as many will only trust a dog walker with the proper insurance in place. It demonstrates that you take your responsibilities seriously and are prepared to handle any unforeseen incidents, ultimately fostering customer confidence and loyalty.

How can I choose the right dog walking insurance?

Choosing the right insurance is an important part of running your business successfully, so here are some key points to consider.

Think about what cover you need

Identify the different levels of cover available to decide how much protection you need. It's important to consider all aspects of the job, including whether you visit clients' houses or use your own car.

Compare policies

As with all insurance, the quality of cover is more important than the price, as the cheapest cover might mean your business isn’t fully protected. Take the time to consider coverage limits, exclusions and premiums.

Review documents

Don’t sign along the dotted line until you are sure the policy you’ve chosen has the cover you need. Read all the documents in detail and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact the provider.

How much does dog walking insurance cost?

Most dog walking insurance starts at approximately £7.86 a month, but the price can vary quite a bit – with factors such as the cover you choose, your location, employee count and turnover affecting how much you’ll pay. It’s important to be honest about this information as it could cause issues at a later date if you aren't.

Here are some real-life examples of quotes for dog walking insurance:

What is typically excluded from dog walking insurance?

Dog walking insurance policies won’t cover everything. Potential exclusions or costs you may remain liable for include:

Any animal scheduled under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act (DWAA)
Any excess applicable
Walking more dogs than is specifically outlined in the original policy

Always check your own policy documents for a full list of exclusions.

FAQs

About the author

Lucinda O'Brien

Lucinda O'Brien has spent the past 10 years writing and editing content for regional and national titles. She applies her industry knowledge to ensure readers can make confident financial decisions.