Table of Contents
- Why Dog Walkers Need More Than Just Passion
- Professionalism and Protection Go Hand in Hand
- Public Liability Insurance: The Foundation of Coverage
- Care, Custody and Control: Looking After Clients’ Pets
- Key Cover and Property Protection
- Personal Accident Cover: Safeguarding the Walker
- Employers’ Liability Insurance for Growing Teams
- Van and Equipment Insurance for Mobile Services
- Combining Policies into a Tailored Package
- Choosing the Right Cover for the Way You Work
Why Dog Walkers Need More Than Just Passion
Dog walking might look simple from the outside—a pleasant walk in the park with a few furry companions. But in reality, it’s a business built on trust, reliability, and responsibility. Whether you’re handling a single dog or managing a full schedule of clients, there are risks involved.
Pet owners expect more than friendliness. They’re looking for someone who operates professionally and is prepared for the unexpected. That’s where insurance comes in—not just as a backup plan, but as a signal of seriousness and care.
For those working in the UK pet care sector, platforms like petbusinessinsurance provide purpose-built policies for dog walkers that combine multiple types of cover into one flexible package. Understanding these options can help you find the right protection for your services.
Professionalism and Protection Go Hand in Hand
Having insurance is more than just a safety net. It’s a declaration that you take your work seriously. With dogs under your care, you’re responsible not just to the animals—but also to their owners, the public, and your own wellbeing.
Clients are increasingly asking dog walkers to show proof of cover before handing over the lead. It’s part of a broader shift in the industry toward professional standards, where credentials, reviews, and risk management all matter.
Let’s explore the different types of insurance available and what each one offers.
Public Liability Insurance: The Foundation of Coverage
If there’s one policy every dog walker should have, it’s public liability insurance. This type of cover protects you if a third party—such as a member of the public—is injured, or their property is damaged as a result of your dog walking activities.
Imagine a dog in your care knocks over a cyclist, damages a shop display, or bites a passerby. Even if the situation is out of your control, you could be held legally and financially responsible. Public liability insurance covers legal fees, compensation claims, and sometimes settlement costs.
This is the core protection every dog walker needs—no matter how small your operation.
Care, Custody and Control: Looking After Clients’ Pets
While public liability covers third parties, care, custody and control insurance is designed to protect the animals you’re walking.
This policy comes into play if a dog gets injured, goes missing, or falls ill while in your care. It can help cover emergency vet fees, costs related to recovering a lost pet, and compensation to the owner.
Without this cover, you may be left to deal with high costs and difficult conversations with pet owners. Including this in your insurance package gives peace of mind to both you and your clients.
Key Cover and Property Protection
Most professional dog walkers have access to clients’ homes—either for pick-up and drop-off or for in-home visits. Losing a client’s house key or accidentally damaging something while inside their property can quickly escalate into a complicated situation.
Key cover protects you if you misplace a client’s key or if locks need to be changed for security reasons. Some policies also include protection for property damage caused accidentally during visits.
This type of cover demonstrates a high level of responsibility and can be a big reassurance for clients when handing over access to their home.
Personal Accident Cover: Safeguarding the Walker
Dog walking isn’t without its physical risks. Whether it’s a trip on uneven ground, a fall during bad weather, or an injury from a strong or reactive dog, accidents can happen.
Personal accident insurance helps support you if you’re injured and unable to work. It may cover medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, or provide financial support while you recover.
For self-employed dog walkers, this can be a vital lifeline. Without employer sick pay or benefits, injury-related downtime could quickly impact your income.
Employers’ Liability Insurance for Growing Teams
If your dog walking business includes employees or volunteers, you are legally required to have employers’ liability insurance in the UK.
This type of cover protects you if a staff member is injured or falls ill while working for your business. Whether it’s a part-time assistant, a weekend helper, or a trainee, the law treats them as employees if they’re under your direction.
Fines for not having this cover can be significant—up to £2,500 per day—so it’s not something to overlook if you’re expanding your team.
Van and Equipment Insurance for Mobile Services
Many dog walkers use vehicles to travel between clients or parks, and they may carry equipment like harnesses, leads, first aid kits, or even portable crates. If these tools are essential to your business, you might want to consider insuring them.
Vehicle insurance for business use ensures that you’re covered while driving for work purposes. Some personal car insurance policies don’t cover commercial activities.
Equipment cover protects your gear from loss, theft, or damage—important if you rely on professional-grade items or work in unpredictable outdoor conditions.
Combining Policies into a Tailored Package
Rather than buying individual policies from multiple providers, many dog walkers opt for comprehensive packages that combine all the necessary types of cover. These can usually be tailored to suit your specific needs.
For example:
- A solo walker handling up to five dogs may need public liability, care and custody, and key cover.
- A growing team may need additional employers’ liability and personal accident cover.
- A walker offering pet transport services might add vehicle and goods-in-transit insurance.
Custom packages help avoid both overpaying and being underinsured. Always review policy details carefully to understand what’s included—and what isn’t.
Choosing the Right Cover for the Way You Work
Every dog walking business is different. Whether you operate alone, walk groups, specialise in nervous dogs, or offer home visits, your insurance should reflect how you work.
When choosing a policy, consider:
- The number of dogs you walk
- Whether you enter clients’ homes
- How far you travel
- If you employ staff or use volunteers
- Whether you offer related services like pet sitting or boarding
Speak to an insurance advisor if needed, and make sure the policy supports both your current business and any future plans. With the right cover in place, you’ll walk with confidence, knowing you’re protected—whatever the day brings.
