Dog sitter insurance
Dog sitter insurance protects you while a client's dog is in your care, whether you visit their home or look after the dog while they're away. It covers the harm a dog might cause to other people, the dog itself if it's hurt, falls ill or goes missing, and the keys you're trusted with. One extra matters most for sitters: help with the owner's travel costs if they have to come home early because something has happened to their dog.
If something goes wrong while you're dog sitting, which part of the policy pays?
Find what happened in the left-hand column to see which part of a dog walking policy responds, and what it pays.
| What happened | The part of the policy that pays | What it pays |
|---|---|---|
| The dog you're looking after bites someone or damages their property | Public liability | Your legal liability for injury to anyone, or damage to their property, up to the limit on your schedule. |
| The dog is hurt in an accident, or dies | Animal injuries, accidents and expenses (care, custody and control) | Vet fees for an injury, or the dog's value if it dies (the purchase price up to age 5, market value from age 6). Up to £25,000 any one claim, £75,000 a year. |
| The dog becomes ill while you're looking after it | Animal illness | Vet fees when a dog shows signs of illness in your care, or within 72 hours of leaving it. |
| The dog goes missing and isn't found | Theft or straying | The dog's value, up to £1,500 per dog, plus up to £350 for advertising and a reward agreed in advance. |
| The owner has to come home because their dog died or went missing | Travel costs | The owner's travel costs you're legally required to meet, up to £1,000 a year; you pay the first £50. |
| You lose a client's keys | Loss of keys | Replacing the client's outside door locks, up to £10,000 a year. |
From Pet Business Insurance's Commercial Protection Plan policy wording (underwritten by Accelerant Insurance), read in October 2026.
What isn't covered?
- Your own dogs, or your family's: only clients' dogs in your care are covered.
- Any dog that must be registered under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
- Harm caused deliberately or maliciously by you or your staff.
- Travel costs before a dog has been confirmed dead for 72 hours, or missing for at least 24 hours.
Direct Line for Business includes cover for theft of a client's keys from your home, business premises or car for pet sitters and dog walkers, and replacement locks if keys are stolen from your property or home, up to £25,000 a year. From Direct Line for Business's cover summary.
Your questions answered
Is dog sitter insurance the same as dog walking insurance?
Often it's the same policy. Pet Business Insurance's Commercial Protection Plan is written for pet businesses in general, so the cover for dogs in your care, keys and public liability works the same way whether you walk or sit. Travel costs for an owner who has to come home is the part that matters most for sitters.
Does dog sitter insurance cover a dog that runs away?
Yes, in the policy we read, if it isn't found. Pet Business Insurance pays the dog's value up to £1,500, as long as you report a theft to the police, tell local vets and send a claim form if the dog hasn't been found within 30 days.
More pet business insurance guides: Dog walking insurance
Every limit is from the provider's own documents, read in October 2026. Policies and limits change, so check the policy wording before you buy. Barklopedia doesn't arrange UK insurance. See the US version