Dog walkers’ insurance

Our business insurance for dog walkers

As a dog walker people trust you with their furry friends and often, with access to their homes too. It’s a massive responsibility.

Getting insurance for your dog walking or pet sitting business is the best way to ensure protection and peace of mind – for you, and your customers. That’s where AXA comes in – offering the insurance you need with our customisable, flexible cover.

But where to start? Public liability insurance will cover you in case of injury, or any property is damaged because of your business. This cover is essential when you’re looking after other peoples’ beloved pets. And, of course, we’ll cover the most important content of all – the dogs in your care.  

Other covers you might want to consider can help you protect your employees (if you have any), any equipment you need to do your job, and your clients. 

Why do I need insurance for my dog walking business?

Life isn’t always a stroll in the park. Accidents happen, and if the worst does occur, you’ll be the one who has to pay out if you aren’t insured.

Legally, you only need to have insurance if you have any employees. This cover is called employers liability insurance and it’s designed to protect employees if they become ill or injured as a result of working for your dog walking business. 

It’s rare for a dog walking business to have employees, but even if you don’t have anyone working for you; you should still consider business insurance. 

It could protect you if:

• A client’s dog was injured, lost, or killed while in your care
• If one of the dogs you walk bites a member of the public
• You damage something in a customer’s home when you pick up their pup

If any of the above examples were to happen to you, Public Liability Insurance could help cover some or all the legal costs you’d face if a claim was made against your business. 

At AXA, we understand small businesses like yours. Whether you walk alone or head up a team, our customisable cover will help keep your company safe and sound.

How much does dog walking insurance cost?

Our insurance for dog walkers offers a range of cover options, so the price depends on the ones you choose.

But don’t worry, getting the right protection isn’t as expensive as you'd think, simply get a quote online today to find out your price.

Not sure what covers are most suited to your business? Not to worry, our Business Insurance Wizard can help you find the right covers. Simply answer a few straightforward questions and we can show you the covers that are most applicable to your business.

What factors might affect the cost of my policy?

It’s important to remember there are factors that will influence the cost of every dog walking business insurance quote. Some of the factors that impact the price you’ll pay include:

• Your occupation - Dog walking can be a risky occupation and the specifics of the services you offer your clients can influence the cost of your policy. 
• The covers you choose - Increased protection and optional extras like business equipment cover can change the cost of your policy
• Where you work - if the area you work in has a history of claims, the higher risk could impact your insurance cost.  
• The number of employees you have - If you have more employees, there’s a bigger chance that you’ll encounter a claim, and your insurance costs will likely reflect this. 
• Your annual turnover - Businesses with larger turnovers will need a greater level of protection and the cost of your insurance will likely also change.

What does business insurance for dog walkers cover?

What your policy covers depends on the products that you choose. Since our policies are tailored top your business, there are several options to choose from. Such as:

• Public liability insurance - which covers you from claims made by a third-party. It’s there to protect you if someone gets accidentally injured, or their property is damaged because of your business activities. Our cover starts at £1 million and can be increased up to a maximum of £5 million.
• Employer’s liability insurance - which covers you for claims made by employees who have gotten injured or become ill as a result of working for your business. £10 million cover is included as standard with AXA’s employers’ liability.

Though it is separate to your business insurance, you may also want to consider Van Insurance as you’ll want to make sure that when you’re transporting the pets in your care from A to B that you’re covered in case the worst should happen.

Is business insurance a legal requirement for dog walkers?

No, business insurance is not a legal requirement until the point when you take on employees. Once you do, you’re legally required to have Employer’s liability insurance under the Employers’ Liability Act 1969.

Even though business insurance isn’t mandatory by law, it is still important that you are covered. Otherwise, you will be solely financially responsible for covering the cost of any claims brought against your business.

*The guidance is provided on behalf of AXA by Arc Legal Assistance Ltd who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.