Why you need dog walking insurance

As a dog walker, looking after animals isn't just your day job - it's something you love doing. However, it comes with a lot of responsibility and, even with the utmost care and attention, unfortunate accidents are sometimes beyond your control. That's why having dog walking insurance to protect you or your employees should the worst happen is a must. Here are some other crucial reasons you need dog walking insurance if you don't already have it.

You're covered against injury and damage

As you know, dogs can be very unpredictable at times. While out for a walk, a dog in your care could run towards a pedestrian, potentially biting them or knocking them over. They could even run out into the road, resulting in an accident. As such, you need specialist cover to protect you against claims if a person is injured by a dog you're looking after.

Another potential issue is the damage they could cause to someone's property. If you're visiting a client to pick up their dogs, and the dog run into their house, they could damage the carpet, walls and furniture and knock over vases or antiques, causing them to break. If you're at a park, there's every chance they could burst a football or scratch something valuable like a car.

That's why Public Liability is an important part of dog walking insurance. Public Liability covers your legal liability if claims are made against you or your business because of injury to another person or damage to property. At Ripe Insurance for Small Business, you can set your Public Liability insurance limit at £1m, £2m, £5m, depending on the level of cover you need.

You're safeguarded from claims made by employees

If you run a dog walking business and employ multiple walkers, there's a risk of employees lodging compensation claims against you for work-related injuries.

For example, if an employee is looking after several dogs who become overexcited, they could injure themselves trying to keep control. Sprained ankles, wrists and broken bones are among the most common types of injuries suffered. In some cases, they could even be bitten or attacked by the dog they're looking after.

Instances like these are why Employers Liability is a legal requirement if you have any employees. Employers Liability insurance provides cover for legal claims made against you by one of your employees. This way, you can run your dog walking business without worrying about potential claims. 

At Ripe Insurance for Small Business, we've created dog walking insurance which is quick and easy to buy. We don't believe in long forms, jargon or expensive premiums, we just believe in giving you exactly the cover you need at the best possible price. Our Lowest Price Guarantee means we won't be beaten on value, so get an instant online quote today and discover how affordable peace of mind can be.