[Rach_73]

My daughter is looking to become a dog walker, and I’m helping her set up her business. Do professional dog walkers need liability insurance, and what does it typically cover in case of accidents, injuries, or property damage while handling a client’s dog? Does anyone have any personal experience or recommendations for pet walking insurance?

[Sally Jones]

Hi Rach,
That’s awesome that your daughter is starting a dog walking business! Yes, professional dog walkers should absolutely have liability insurance—it helps protect them if anything unexpected happens while caring for a client’s dog. Most policies cover injuries to the dogs in their care, injuries caused by the dog (like if they bite someone while on a walk), and property damage claims against them.

You’ll also want to look into bonding, which is a type of insurance that protects your customers against any losses caused by the contractor (the walker). Also called employee dishonesty insurance, bonding protects clients from financial losses due to theft or fraud by the pet walker or their employees. Purchasing a pet-sitting bond is an excellent business practice. It helps assure potential clients that you’re trustworthy and you won’t abuse your access to their home or the well-being of a family member.

I recommend Pet Care Insurance, but there are several options out there. If she plans to use an app like Rover or Wag, they provide some coverage, but it’s usually limited, so having her own policy is a smart move. It might also be worth checking if local laws require insurance and bonding for dog walkers in your area.

Check out my guide on dog walking insurance and bonding to learn more. Best of luck with her new business!

[Author]

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