16/01/2026
BUSINESS INSURANCE
It is recommended that you speak to all of the insurance providers on the market to get the most appropriate cover you can for your business.
A standard dog walking business policy would usually cover you for public liability, care, custody and control, non-negligent cover, key cover.
Not all companies automatically provide cover for all pet care related services or small-holding cover, so you would need to discuss with them the services you provide and understand fully what you are covered for.
Public Liability - Public liability cover forms a vital part of any Pet Business Insurance policy and can save you and your business from substantial financial problems. If a third-party claims that you have caused them injury or damaged their property, you could find yourself and your business being sued. E.g. if a dog you walk was to bite a member of the public and they deem it to be your fault, you could be covered. The same principle would be applied if the damage was caused to a third party’s property. Regardless of whether it was you or a dog you are walking that caused the damage if you are deemed to be blamed in some way, public liability cover may protect you.
Most insurers usually provide between £1 million and £10 million worth of public liability cover and may include:
Care, Custody and Control - Provides you with protection should one of your client’s pets get injured, go missing or even die whilst in your care.
Key cover - Many business owners will hold the client’s keys to collect dogs for their daily walks. Losing the key to someone’s home has a two-fold effect. Firstly, the cost of a new key and secondly the cost of replacing the locks that would need to be broken to get back into the property. Some policies will cover the replacement of lost keys and damaged locks. Costs involved in setting or resetting intruder alarms. Temporary security protection while the above is arranged.
Most companies include cover for a maximum of 6 dogs walked together in a group (we as an organisation advocate 4). Check your insurers' T&Cs (both business and own pet) if you also walk your own dog with client dogs.
Additional cover options may be available such as Equipment / Money Cover, Personal Accident, Professional Indemnity if you are providing advice, Employers Liability if you intend to take staff on (Employers Liability is compulsory in the UK), loss of earnings.
Prices will vary depending on what services you wish to provide, your area, how much public liability you need, and of course any add on options.
