Insurance for Dog Walking Businesses with Employees: A Comprehensive Guide
- Tori Lynn Crowther
- Nov 15, 2025
- 6 min read
Insurance for Dog Walking Businesses with Employees: A Comprehensive Guide
Running a dog walking business that employs staff involves additional responsibilities, including ensuring you have the right insurance in place to protect both your employees and your business. Whether you're hiring walkers, administrative support, or other staff members, securing the right insurance coverage is crucial for safeguarding against accidents, injuries, and legal issues.
This blog will break down the key types of insurance every dog walking business with employees should consider.
1. Employers’ Liability Insurance: A Legal Requirement
What is Employers’ Liability Insurance?
In the UK, Employers’ Liability Insurance is a legal requirement for any business that employs staff. It covers your business if an employee is injured or becomes ill as a result of their work. This insurance helps protect against legal costs and compensation claims if your employees suffer physical injury or mental health issues while working for you.
Why Do You Need It?
Legal Requirement: If you have any staff, this insurance is mandatory by law. You could face fines of up to £2,500 per day for not having valid cover.
Protects Against Employee Claims: If an employee is injured while walking a dog, the insurance covers the compensation they might claim, as well as any legal fees you incur defending your business in court.
Peace of Mind: It also covers claims related to accidents or injuries caused by the conditions of the job – for example, getting bitten by a dog, tripping while walking, or lifting heavy equipment.
How Much Cover Do You Need?
The minimum level of employers’ liability insurance you need by law is £5 million, but many businesses choose to opt for more extensive coverage, especially if your business has higher risks.
2. Public Liability Insurance: Protecting Your Clients and the Public
What is Public Liability Insurance?
Public liability insurance covers your business if a third party (i.e. someone who isn’t your employee or client) is injured or their property is damaged as a result of your activities. For example, if a dog in your care causes an accident by knocking over a passerby or if your staff member damages someone's property while walking a dog, this insurance will cover the costs.
Why Do You Need It?
Protects the Public: As a dog walking business, you're often interacting with the public. Whether you're walking dogs on pavements, in parks, or around neighbourhoods, public liability insurance ensures that your business is covered if an incident arises.
Risk Mitigation: Accidents can happen – even if your employee is extremely careful. A dog may behave unexpectedly, or the environment may present unforeseen risks, and public liability insurance will help protect your business in case of claims.
How Much Cover Do You Need?
A typical cover amount starts at £1 million, but for businesses with higher-risk activities or multiple employees, increasing this to £2 million or more is advisable.
3. Professional Indemnity Insurance: Covering Your Advice and Services
What is Professional Indemnity Insurance?
Professional indemnity insurance is designed to protect your business if your employees make a mistake or provide poor advice that leads to a client suffering financial loss. This could include situations where an employee offers dog behaviour advice, or training recommendations, and the dog subsequently suffers harm, or the client incurs additional costs.
Why Do You Need It?
Client Protection: If your employee offers advice or services that result in a dispute or a financial loss for the client (e.g., dog training advice leading to a behavioural issue), professional indemnity insurance helps cover the cost of defending your business and paying compensation.
For businesses offering additional services: If you provide dog training, behaviour consultations, or any professional services alongside dog walking, you are at higher risk of facing claims related to these services.
How Much Cover Do You Need?
The coverage needed will depend on the size of your business, the number of employees, and the services you offer. Typically, coverage of £250,000 to £2 million is standard for dog walking businesses with employees offering additional services like training or advice.
4. Vehicle Insurance: For Transporting Dogs Safely
What is Vehicle Insurance for Dog Walkers?
If you or your employees use a vehicle to transport dogs from one location to another, it’s essential to have vehicle insurance that covers this use. Standard car insurance often won’t cover business-related driving, so you may need to add a commercial vehicle insurance policy or a business use extension to your personal policy.
Why Do You Need It?
Transporting Dogs: Dog walking businesses often require transporting dogs to and from various locations. If your staff is involved in an accident while driving dogs, the business will need specific coverage for any damage to vehicles, pets, or third parties.
Employee Driving: If your employees drive company vehicles to transport dogs, their actions while driving are covered under the insurance policy.
How Much Cover Do You Need?
Depending on the number of vehicles and their use, you may want comprehensive coverage, which includes damage, theft, and third-party liability. This typically ranges from £1,000 to £10,000, depending on the level of coverage and the type of vehicle used.
5. Dog Walker's Insurance (or Animal Care Insurance)
What is Dog Walker’s Insurance?
A tailored dog walker’s insurance policy combines several types of coverage, including public liability, care and custody insurance, and sometimes even damage caused by dogs in your care. This insurance is specifically designed for businesses that care for animals, whether that’s through dog walking, sitting, or boarding.
Why Do You Need It?
Covering Animal-Related Incidents: If a dog in your care damages a client’s property or becomes ill or injured while under your supervision, dog walker’s insurance can cover veterinary bills, compensation for property damage, and more.
Covers Multiple Dogs: For dog walkers with employees, this insurance can also cover multiple dogs walked at the same time, protecting against any claims or issues that might arise during group walks.
How Much Cover Do You Need?
Coverage amounts typically range from £1 million to £5 million, depending on the size and scope of your business. For larger businesses with several employees or those handling high-risk dogs, higher limits are recommended.
6. Accident & Sickness Insurance for Employees
What is Accident & Sickness Insurance?
This type of insurance offers financial protection if your employees are unable to work due to an accident or illness. As a dog walking business, your employees are at risk of various injuries, including slips, falls, or bites from dogs.
Why Do You Need It?
Employee Well-being: If an employee becomes injured while walking dogs or suffers an illness related to the job, this coverage ensures they can still receive compensation or sick pay while they're unable to work.
Business Continuity: It helps reduce the financial strain on your business if an employee needs time off for medical reasons.
How Much Cover Do You Need?
The amount of coverage will depend on the number of employees and the nature of the risks involved. Policies are usually tailored to provide a percentage of the employee's earnings while they’re off work.
7. Loss of Income Insurance (Business Interruption Insurance)
What is Loss of Income Insurance?
This type of insurance helps cover the loss of income your business might face in the event of an unexpected incident that temporarily halts your operations, such as a fire, flood, or injury to a key staff member.
Why Do You Need It?
Business Protection: If you’re forced to close for a period, this insurance covers lost revenue and helps maintain operations during difficult times.
Employee Protection: It can also provide income for your employees in case the business needs to scale down operations temporarily.
How Much Cover Do You Need?
Coverage should be sufficient to cover your business expenses, including staff wages, for a period of time without the need for your regular income.
Conclusion: Comprehensive Insurance Protection for Dog Walking Businesses with Employees
Running a dog walking business with employees requires a solid insurance foundation to ensure you're protected from all potential risks. The right mix of employers’ liability, public liability, vehicle insurance, and other specialised coverage will protect your business and employees from accidents, claims, and other unforeseen events.
Ensure you work with a reputable insurance provider who understands the unique risks of the dog walking industry. With the right insurance in place, you can focus on growing your business, knowing you’re covered in case something goes wrong.
About Tori Lynn C. & The Dog House
Welcome to The Dog House — my cosy corner of the TLC Canine Crusaders Business Hub. I’m Tori Lynn C., the founder of TLC Dog Walking Limited, mentor to professional dog walkers, and lifelong advocate for dogs and the people who care for them. With over 17 years of hands-on experience in the industry, my mission is to guide you through the realities of running a successful, sustainable dog walking business — from client care and safety to wellbeing, confidence, and professional growth.
The Dog House is where I share the honest, behind-the-scenes conversations we all need: the tricky moments, the funny bits, the business lessons, and the mindset work that keeps us thriving rather than merely surviving. Whether you're just starting out or scaling up, you’ll always find support, guidance, and a friendly nudge forward here.
You’re never alone in this journey — you’re part of a community of canine crusaders.
Comments