Stay covered on every walk with dog walking insurance
Dog walking insurance from a panel of trusted UK insurers
Insure your dog walking business for liability with zero hassle
Dog walking is a public-facing business that takes you and your clients’ dogs into parks, pavements, and open spaces on every job. As a professional dog walker, you carry responsibility for your conduct as a business operator in public spaces — and if a third party is injured or their property is damaged as a result of your business activities, you could face a compensation claim that puts your livelihood at serious risk.
At insurd, we’re an FCA-regulated specialist insurance broker with over 50 years of experience arranging public liability insurance for dog walkers across the UK. We work with a panel of leading UK insurers to find the right level of cover for your dog walking business — whether you walk one dog or run a group walking service.
24/7 claims service
We’re here for you round the clock when you need us most.
Fairer prices for all
As a specialist insurance broker, we search our panel of leading UK insurers to find the right policy for your dog walking business.
World-class support
Our UK-based expert team are here to provide you with dedicated support.
We use a combination of technology and a wealth of experience to give you unrivalled cover and more affordable public liability insurance prices. Get a dog walking liability insurance quote today.
What is dog walking insurance?
Dog walking insurance is public liability cover designed for professional dog walkers — whether you walk dogs individually, run group walks in local parks, or operate a full dog walking business. It covers compensation claims and legal costs arising from your dog walking business activities if a member of the public is injured or their property is damaged — paying both the compensation award and your legal defence costs, even if a claim turns out to be unfounded.
Running a dog walking business means operating in public spaces every day — and public spaces present real liability exposure. A pedestrian tripping over your equipment, a collision with a cyclist on a shared path, or property damage occurring near your working area can all result in claims against you as a business operator. Public liability insurance ensures those costs don’t fall on you personally.
It’s important to understand that public liability policies vary significantly in how they handle incidents involving animals directly. Cover for injury or damage caused by a dog’s own behaviour is not automatically included in all public liability policies — this depends on the specific policy terms and insurer. Our team can advise on exactly what your policy covers when you get a quote.
Read our guide to what public liability insurance covers for more detail.
The benefits of a dog walking insurance policy
Personal injury claims
Covers compensation if a member of the public is injured as a result of your dog walking business activities. Personal injury claims arising from professional dog walking operations are among the most common reasons dog walkers need public liability insurance.
Damage to property
Covers accidental damage to third-party property arising from your dog walking business activities. Property damage claims are a frequent risk for professional dog walkers — having cover in place means you’re not personally liable for those costs.
Legal protection
Covers legal defence costs if a claim is brought against you as a dog walking business operator, even if it’s unfounded or exaggerated. Having cover in place ensures you can respond professionally to any claim without it threatening your livelihood.
* Subject to your chosen level of policy cover and the prevailing policy excess.
How much does dog walking insurance cost?
This depends on the nature and size of your dog walking business, the level of risk involved and any claims history you might have.
The cost of public liability insurance varies based on several factors:
Type of cover
Standard cover starts at £1 million, which is sufficient for most individual dog walkers. Those running group walks or operating in high-footfall urban areas may require higher limits — our team can advise on the right level for your operation.
Nature of business
The scale and nature of your dog walking operation affects your premium. Solo walks carry lower risk than group walks with multiple dogs simultaneously. The number of dogs walked at once and the environments you work in are both key factors at underwriting.
Location
Where you operate affects your premium. Dog walkers working in busy urban parks, near roads, and in high-footfall public areas face different risk profiles to those working in quieter rural or suburban locations.
Business size and turnover
The number of dogs you walk and your annual income directly affect your premium. Dog walkers managing a high volume of daily walks across multiple clients face proportionally greater exposure than those walking a small number of regular dogs.
Number of employees
Dog walking businesses with employees or assistants carry significantly greater risk exposure. Employers’ liability is a legal requirement the moment you engage anyone to work for you — our team can arrange both policies together.
Claims history
A clean claims history is your most effective long-term cost reduction tool. Dog walkers who operate professionally and document their activities carefully attract lower premiums at renewal.
How to reduce your dog walking insurance premium
Beyond the factors above, several practical steps can help reduce your dog walking insurance costs.
- Operate professionally and document everything — Keeping detailed walk records — route, dogs walked, any observations or incidents — demonstrates professional standards to insurers and protects you against disputed claims.
- Use a formal client agreement — A signed service agreement outlining your responsibilities, working practices, and limitations reduces the risk of disputed liability claims and signals professional risk management.
- Use appropriate equipment at all times — Using suitable leads, harnesses, and handling equipment appropriate to each dog reduces the risk of incidents in public spaces.
- Declare your actual activities accurately — If you run group walks, walk large numbers of dogs simultaneously, or offer additional services, ensure your policy covers all of these. Undeclared activities could invalidate a claim.
- Understand your policy terms fully — Cover for incidents involving animal behaviour varies between policies. Speak to our team before arranging cover to make sure you understand exactly what protection you have.
- Pay annually — Monthly payments include finance interest. Paying your full annual premium upfront avoids that additional cost.
For more ways to reduce your public liability costs, see our public liability insurance cost guide.
Dog walking insurance frequently asked questions
When do I need to get dog walking public liability insurance?
As soon as you start walking dogs for clients professionally. Even a single dog walk carries real risk — dogs can be unpredictable, and a single incident involving an injury or accident could result in a significant claim. Cover should be in place before you take on your first client.
Is dog walking public liability insurance a legal requirement?
No — it isn't a legal requirement in the UK. However, many pet owners will ask for proof of insurance before trusting you with their dog, and professional dog walking associations typically require it as a condition of membership. Given the public-facing nature of dog walking, it's one of the most important protections you can have.
What does dog walking public liability insurance actually cover?
It covers compensation claims and legal fees if a member of the public is injured or their property is damaged as a result of your dog walking business activities. Cover relating to animals themselves — including incidents caused by a dog's behaviour — can vary significantly between policies. Speak to our team on 0345 222 6318 to make sure your policy covers your specific situation.
What isn't covered by dog walking public liability insurance?
Every policy is different, and cover relating to animals — including injury caused by a pet in your care — can vary depending on your specific policy and insurer. It's important to understand exactly what your policy includes before you start working with clients. Our team is happy to walk you through the details on 0345 222 6318.
What limit of cover should I choose?
Standard cover starts at £1 million, which is sufficient for most dog walkers. If you regularly walk large groups of dogs, a higher level of cover may be appropriate. Our team can advise on the right level for your business.
Is public liability insurance tax deductible?
Yes — business insurance is an allowable expense, which means you can deduct the cost when calculating your taxable profit. Make sure you keep your policy documents and receipts as records for HMRC. If you're unsure, speak to your accountant.
Do you provide evidence of cover?
Yes — you'll receive proof of cover instantly when your policy is in place, which you can share with clients straight away. If you also take out employers' liability cover, a Certificate of Employers' Liability will be issued immediately for display at your premises.
Guides for dog walking business owners
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