Dog walking insurance

Even with the best of care and attention, accidents can happen. A dog in your care gets hit by a car or bites someone. Or the fun time outdoors leads to an injury. There is no way to predict when things may go wrong. That’s why having the right dog walking insurance is essential to protect yourself from any financial liability.

What is a dog walking insurance?

Dog walking insurance protects you in case a claim is made against you while you took over the care of one or several dogs from his/their owner. Claims can be made if your dog has bitten someone or has caused an accident. They can also be made by dog owners for loss or damages. At any rates, claims can be costly. Without the right insurance, you may face huge vet bills or legal costs.

There are different types of dog walking insurances. The most basic ones will only offer public liability while insurances designed for professional dog walkers will include things like professional and employer liability, equipment insurance, personal accidents, legal costs or business interruption.

Is a dog walking insurance mandatory?

The simple answer: no, it is not mandatory to have a special type of insurance when you are offering dog walking services. However, it is highly recommended as the financial consequences can be dramatic in the event of an accident. If you’re dog walking on a regular basis, you should definitely consider purchasing dog walking insurance.

Dog walking insurance are not very expensive. On top of that, they can make you more secure while executing your job, which in turn makes you a better dog walker. Finally, it will make the dog owner feel more confident, as it shows you take the job seriously. A dog walker that takes all possible precautions that are out there, is usually a great dog walker!

How much does a dog walking insurance cost?

Insurances that cover dog walking jobs are very affordable. Basic covers can start from as little as $5 per month. However, if you choose the cheapest option, you’ll also have very limited guarantees. It all depends on the volume of dog walks you do per month and the number of dogs you walk at any given time.

If you’re considering turning dog walking into a business, it’s best to choose the most extensive cover to make sure your insurance has your back in case of an accident or any other unforeseen event that has caused financial or emotional damage, whether to you, the dog, the dog owner or a third party individual.

To make sure you’re getting the right cover at the right price, you can turn to an insurance comparison website. All you’ll have to do is to provide a few details about your needs and wait for tailored quotes to arrive to your inbox. Quick and easy!

Dog walking without insurance

Nothing prevents you from offering dog walking services without an insurance, as long as you are carrying them out as a private individual and not as a commercial company. You should weigh the pros and cons of performing this activity without any insurance and be ready to face the consequences if anything bad should happen.

If you’re a professional dog walker, you should not skip the dog walking insurance. In fact, in most cases this is illegal. You should get an insurance that covers you not only as an individual but that also protects your business, such as professional and employer liability, or equipment insurance.