Dog walking insurance
Dog walking insurance protects you, and the dogs you look after, when something goes wrong on a walk. It usually combines public liability, for when a dog in your care injures someone or damages their property, with cover for the dogs themselves, known as care, custody and control. Good policies also pay to change a client's locks if you lose their keys. Here's what that looks like in a real policy.
If something goes wrong on a walk, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| A dog you're walking knocks someone over or bites them | Public liability | Your legal liability for injury to anyone, or damage to their property. Pet Business Insurance's website gives cover up to £5,000,000. |
| A dog you're walking 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. |
| A dog becomes ill on your walk | Animal illness | Vet fees when a dog shows signs of illness in your care, or within 72 hours of leaving it. |
| A dog slips its lead 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. |
| 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, except the public liability limit, which is from its dog walking page.
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.
- Walking more dogs than your policy allows: Pet Business Insurance's website says a maximum of 6 dogs per person at any one time in public.
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
Do I need insurance to be a dog walker in the UK?
Pet Business Insurance says it isn't legally required but strongly advised, because a single incident could lead to a serious claim. Many clients will also ask to see your insurance before handing over their dog and their keys.
How many dogs can I walk at once on dog walking insurance?
It depends on your policy, so check the limit before you take on group walks. Pet Business Insurance's website says its cover allows a maximum of 6 dogs per person at any one time in public.
Does dog walking insurance cover my own dog?
Not in the policy we read. Pet Business Insurance excludes injury or illness to any animal owned by you or a member of your family, so your own dog needs its own pet insurance.
More pet business insurance guides: Dog sitter 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