Pet Walkers, Sitters and Carers Insurance

Pet walkers, sitters and carers insurance is designed for UK animal care businesses looking after dogs, cats and other pets in clients' homes, public spaces, vehicles or their own premises. It can combine liability cover with protection for animals in your care, keys, equipment and staff exposure.

Who needs pet care insurance?

• Dog walkers and pet walkers
• Pet sitters and home-visit pet carers
• Pet day care, feeding, companionship and welfare-check providers
• Businesses caring for pets in clients' homes, parks, vehicles or temporary settings

What does pet walkers, sitters and carers insurance cover?

• Public liability for injury or property damage claims
• Care, custody and control cover for animals being looked after
• Employers' liability where staff, assistants or volunteers are used
• Loss of keys, equipment, stock, business interruption and legal expenses where required
• Commercial vehicle, goods in transit or personal accident cover where suitable

Key pet care risks

• A pet is injured, lost or escapes while under supervision
• A dog causes injury to a member of the public or another animal
• Client keys are lost or a property is damaged during a visit
• An employee or helper is injured while walking or handling animals
• Vehicle, illness, weather or premises issues interrupt booked services

Care, custody and control exposure

Standard public liability may not automatically cover animals in your care. Pet walkers, sitters and carers should review whether care, custody and control wording is included, what animal types are accepted and what exclusions apply to aggressive, ill or high-risk animals.

Keys, homes and mobile work

Pet care work often involves entering clients' homes, holding keys, travelling between visits and managing several pets at once. Insurance should reflect access arrangements, key security, transport, group walks, staff training and emergency procedures.

How pricing works

Pricing depends on services provided, number and type of animals handled, turnover, staff numbers, locations, group-walk limits, vehicle use, claims history and selected liability limits.

Information insurers usually ask for

• Services provided, including dog walking, pet sitting, feeding, boarding or day care
• Animal types, maximum animals per walk or visit and any excluded breeds or behaviours
• Staff numbers, training, procedures and use of subcontractors or volunteers
• Key handling, home access, transport arrangements and emergency processes
• Turnover, claims history and required liability limits

Example claims

• A dog slips its lead and causes a road accident
• A pet is injured while being cared for and the owner claims veterinary costs
• A client needs locks changed after keys are lost during a visit round

Related Healthcare and Care Pages

• Healthcare Insurance
• Care Provider Insurance
• Professional Indemnity Insurance
• Public Liability Insurance
• Employers' Liability Insurance
• Business Interruption Insurance

Frequently asked questions

What does pet walker insurance usually cover?

It can include public liability, care custody and control, loss of keys, employers' liability, equipment, legal expenses, business interruption and vehicle-related cover depending on the business.

Do pet sitters need care, custody and control cover?

It is often important because claims can involve injury, loss or escape of an animal while it is being looked after.

Can pet carers insure client keys?

Key cover can often be included to help with lock replacement or related costs after keys are lost, subject to policy terms.

Does insurance cover group dog walks?

Group walks may be covered, but insurers usually need to know the maximum number of dogs walked at once, controls used, locations and claims history.

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