Dog Walker Insurance Calculator

What insurance does a dog walker need?

Dog walking insurance is a small bundle with one twist that catches people out: ordinary public liability does not cover the dogs themselves. Because the animals are in your care, custody and control, you need a specific add-on for them – otherwise a claim for a client’s injured or lost dog is not paid. This tool asks four quick questions and shows the covers that apply to your activity, from walking to home boarding, plus practical extras like key cover. It is built for UK self-employed dog walkers, pet sitters and daycare businesses. It does not quote a premium; it sizes the cover.

The covers, in plain terms

• Public liability – pays if a dog you are handling causes an accident, bites someone or damages property. The limit rises with how many dogs you walk at once.
• Care, custody & control – the crucial add-on that covers the dogs in your charge if they are hurt, escape, are lost or die. Public liability excludes them.
• Key cover – replaces locks and keys if a client’s set is lost, useful when you hold keys for several homes.
• Vet fees / non-negligence – helps with a dog’s vet bills after an accident even when you were not at fault.
• Boarding & daycare – need specific cover and a council animal-welfare licence. Employers’ liability becomes compulsory if you take on staff.

Worked example

A self-employed walker takes out 4–6 dogs at a time, holds client keys, and works alone. The calculator returns: public liability at £1m–£2m; care, custody and control flagged as essential so an injured or escaped dog is covered; key cover for the house keys they carry; and vet-fees cover to consider. No employers’ liability, because they work solo. If they later start overnight home boarding, they would need a council licence and a policy that extends to boarding.

Frequently asked questions

What insurance does a dog walker need?

The essentials are public liability, in case a dog in your charge injures someone or damages property, and care, custody and control cover for a dog that is hurt, lost or dies while with you. Most walkers also add key cover for client keys, and vets fees or non-negligence cover.

What is care, custody and control cover?

It covers the animals that are in your care – if a client’s dog is injured, escapes or dies while you are responsible for it. Standard public liability specifically excludes property in your care, custody or control, so without this add-on a claim for the dog itself would not be paid.

How much public liability does a dog walker need?

Most dog walkers carry £1 million to £2 million of public liability. It covers claims if a dog you are walking causes a road accident, bites someone or damages property – risks that rise with the number of dogs you walk at once.

Do I need key cover as a dog walker?

It is worth having if you hold clients’ house keys to collect their dogs. Key cover pays to replace locks and keys if a set is lost or stolen, which can be surprisingly expensive across several clients.

Does dog walking insurance cover home boarding?

Only if the policy specifically includes boarding, and home boarding also needs a licence from your local council under animal welfare licensing rules. If you board dogs overnight, tell your insurer and check the cover extends to it.

Is dog walking insurance a legal requirement?

It is not legally required to walk dogs, but your responsibility for other people’s pets and the public makes it effectively essential, and many clients will only use an insured walker. If you employ staff, employers’ liability then becomes a legal must.

Source: home boarding and daycare licensing is set out in the animal welfare licensing rules – see GOV.UK – Get an animal activity licence; the employers’ liability requirement (if you employ staff) is at GOV.UK – Employers’ liability insurance. Cover levels reflect standard UK pet-business conventions.