An insured pet sitter or dog walker holds a business policy, usually public or third-party liability, that responds if something goes wrong while they care for your animal. In the UK this cover is not a legal requirement for pet sitters, so you have to ask for it and check it. Ask to see the policy document, read what it covers, and make sure it is in date before anyone takes your keys or your lead.
This guide explains what the law does and does not demand, what a good policy looks like, how it differs from your own pet insurance, and the questions to ask before you book. We are a pet care business in Bromley and Lewisham, so we also point out the local rules that matter there.
TL;DR
- No UK law requires a pet sitter or dog walker to carry insurance, so "insured" is something you verify rather than assume.
- Ask to see the actual policy: it should state the number of dogs covered and may need to include emergency vet fees.
- A platform's guarantee is not the same as an independent business insurance policy, and your own pet insurance is a different product again.
- No qualifications are legally needed either, so look for canine first aid training, references and a meeting with your dog.
- In Bromley, walking four dogs at once in public needs a council licence.
Table of Contents
- Is a pet sitter legally required to be insured?
- What cover should an insured dog walker or pet sitter hold?
- How to check a policy properly
- Insurance, your own pet insurance and a platform guarantee are different things
- Does an insured pet sitter need to be qualified?
- Licences: Bromley, Lewisham and home boarding
- Other checks that matter as much as the policy
- Our perspective
- Dog walking and pet care in Bromley and Lewisham
- Getting your dog ready for a sitter
- FAQ
- Choosing with confidence
- Sources
Is a pet sitter legally required to be insured?
No. Pet sitting is largely unregulated in the UK, apart from dog boarding, which means anyone can set up without qualifications or insurance and owners are expected to do their own checks. The same is true for dog walking: a dog-walking business does not need a licence, qualification or certification under UK law, although local councils may set their own licence rules.
There are two exceptions worth knowing. Government guidance says a business must have employers' liability insurance if people work for it, and motor insurance if it uses vehicles for business purposes. So a pet care company with employed walkers or a van has some legal insurance duties. A sole trader walking on foot does not.
That gap is why the word "insured" in an advert tells you very little by itself. It could mean a full liability policy with animal-specific extensions, or a basic policy that barely touches pets. The rest of this guide helps you tell the difference.
What cover should an insured dog walker or pet sitter hold?
The core product is liability insurance. Dogs Trust says professional dog walkers should have third-party liability insurance. In plain terms, this pays out if the walker or sitter is held responsible for injury to another person, damage to someone's property, or harm to another person's animal.
For a pet sitter who comes into your home, or a walker who collects your dog from it, the basic policy is only the start. Insurance experts quoted by The Guardian describe layering extra protections on top of a core liability policy, such as animal bailee, care-of-property and key cover, rather than relying on a single general policy.
Here is what each part is for, in everyday terms:
| Type of cover | What it is meant to deal with | Why it matters to you |
|---|---|---|
| Public or third-party liability | Injury or damage to other people, their property or their pets | Protects you and others if your dog's walker is at fault |
| Animal bailee (care, custody and control) | Injury to, loss of or death of the animals in the carer's charge | The part that speaks to your own pet |
| Care of property | Accidental damage to your home or belongings while the sitter is there | Relevant for overnight and home visits |
| Key cover | Cost of replacing locks if keys are lost | Relevant if the carer holds a spare key |
| Employers' liability | Injury to staff working for the business | A legal requirement where people are employed |
Treat the table as a checklist of questions rather than a promise that any one provider holds all of it. Policies differ, and the wording matters more than the label.
How to check a policy properly
Asking "are you insured?" and hearing "yes" is not a check. Dogs Trust advises owners to ask to see a copy of the walker's policy. Go through it with these points in mind.
- Name and activity. The policy should be in the name of the person or business you are booking, and it should list dog walking or pet sitting as an insured activity.
- Dates. Check the start and renewal dates. Policies run for a set period, so a certificate from last year proves nothing. Ask for the current one.
- Number of dogs. The policy should state how many dogs the walker can take out at once. If a walker routinely takes more than the policy allows, the cover may not respond.
- Vet fees. Dogs Trust notes the policy may need to cover emergency veterinary fees. Ask whether it does and what the limit is.
- Exclusions. Look for what is left out. Common areas to look at are off-lead walking, transporting dogs in a vehicle, overnight stays and looking after dogs in the carer's own home.
- Excess and limits. Ask what the carer would pay first and the maximum payout.
A professional will not mind any of this. If someone is vague or reluctant to show paperwork, that is useful information in itself.
Insurance, your own pet insurance and a platform guarantee are different things
This is the most common confusion we see. There are three separate protections, and they do not replace each other.
The carer's business insurance covers their liabilities: third-party injury, injury to a pet in their care, or theft, as set out in The Guardian's guide to how these protections differ.
Your own pet insurance typically covers your pet's veterinary treatment whoever is looking after them. Keep it going when you hire a sitter. It is your safety net for illness and accidents, not the carer's.
A booking platform's guarantee is not insurance. According to the same Guardian piece, it is a private contractual promise that may offer very limited cover compared with an independent business policy. If you book through a platform, read the guarantee terms the way you would read a policy.
Your home insurance deserves a look too. The Guardian advises homeowners to check for exclusions, because standard cover might not apply to damage or theft while a pet sitter has access to the property. A quick call to your insurer before a holiday can save an argument later.
Does an insured pet sitter need to be qualified?
Not by law. Dog walkers do not need qualifications, though local authorities may require a licence depending on the number of dogs and the area. That makes training something you choose to look for rather than something you can assume.
Dogs Trust sets out what good looks like. A trained dog walker should have up-to-date, evidence-based knowledge of dog behaviour and safe handling, hold canine first aid certificates and carry a canine first aid kit. Ask what training they have done, when, and who ran it.
Two more points protect you. No person under 16 can be in charge of a dog, so be wary of anyone sending a teenager out as a stand-in. And professional walkers are advised to document any incident between your dog and another dog and to tell you promptly, so ask how they report problems.
Licences: Bromley, Lewisham and home boarding
Insurance and licensing are separate questions, and both are worth checking in our area.
Bromley Council requires a licence to walk four dogs at once in a public place in the borough. If your walker regularly takes groups, ask whether they hold it. Lewisham handles animal-related business activity through an animal activity licence, brought in under regulations that took effect on 1 October 2018. Check the council's page for exactly which activities it covers.
Home boarding is different from visits. A licence is needed for dog or cat boarding and dog daycare if you earn more than £1,000 a year from it as part of a business, or do it repeatedly. Battersea advises owners using home boarding as a business to check the provider is licensed by the local authority and meets legal standards. A sitter who stays at your home and a sitter who takes your dog into theirs are covered by different rules, so ask which service you are actually getting.
Other checks that matter as much as the policy
Insurance pays out after something has gone wrong. Most of what keeps your pet safe happens before that point.
- Meet first. Dogs Trust says owners should make sure the walker has met their dog and understands its personality and characteristics. A good carer will want this meeting.
- Ask for references or reviews from other clients, and speak to someone who has used them.
- Agree emergency arrangements in advance: which vet, who makes decisions, and how they reach you. Dogs Trust also recommends a written contract.
- Ask about a DBS certificate if the sitter will hold a key and have access to your home. The Guardian suggests asking a pet sitter for one in that situation.
- Ask how updates work. Photos, messages or an app give you proof that the visit happened and how your pet was.
Questions to ask any provider
Copy these into a message before you book:
- Can I see a copy of your current insurance policy?
- How many dogs can you walk at once under it, and do you ever walk more?
- Does it cover emergency vet fees, and up to what amount?
- What first aid training do you have, and do you carry a kit?
- Do you need a council licence for what you do in my area, and do you hold it?
- What happens if you are ill or something goes wrong on a visit?
- How will you tell me about any incident?
Our perspective
In our experience, the best protection for a pet is not a document, it is a carer who knows them. That is why we build our service around personal relationships between caregivers and pets, so your dog or cat is looked after by someone familiar, in surroundings that feel comforting rather than strange.
Insurance is part of a sensible set-up, and we would encourage you to ask any provider, including us, to explain their cover clearly and to show you the paperwork. But paperwork cannot spot that your dog is quieter than usual, or that a lead is fraying.
Visibility is the other half. Through the Roper and Paws app, clients can follow their pet's care and activities, which is designed to make the day transparent and ease the worry of handing over a key. When you can see what is happening, small problems get raised early, and that is when they are easiest to fix.
We look after pets in Bromley and Lewisham, and we would rather you ask more questions than fewer.
Steen
Dog walking and pet care in Bromley and Lewisham
If you are in Bromley or Lewisham and want dependable care, we offer dog walking, pet sitting and everyday care, with updates through our app so you can follow your pet's day. Prices are not listed on our site, so get in touch through the website for details, and bring your insurance and licence questions with you.
We also run an online shop for the practical side. Our Dog Walking Essentials range covers leads, harnesses and collars, and if you are welcoming a new dog, Puppy Essentials is a good place to start.
Getting your dog ready for a sitter
A smooth first visit is mostly preparation. These steps help whoever you choose.
- Write it down. Feeding amounts and times, medication, walking routine, commands your dog knows, and anything that frightens them.
- Leave vet details and your own contact numbers, plus a second contact in case you cannot be reached.
- Check equipment. A well-fitted harness and a lead in good condition matter more than people expect. Replace anything worn before a new walker uses it.
- Set up a safe space. Familiar bedding gives a dog somewhere to settle. Our Dog Beds & Blankets collection is one place to find it.
- Provide enrichment. Chews and puzzle toys help a dog stay occupied between visits, and you can browse Dog Toys & Enrichment for ideas.
- Keep your own insurance current, including pet insurance and home cover, and read the exclusions before you travel.
If your dog is unwell, elderly, on medication or has a health condition, speak to your vet before arranging care. They can tell you what a sitter should watch for and when to call the practice.
FAQ
Is an insured pet sitter better than an uninsured one?
Insurance is a sign of a professional approach, but it is not a guarantee of quality on its own. Cover only matters if it fits the job, so check the policy wording, dates and the number of dogs. Combine that with a meeting, references and training checks.
Do dog walkers need to be insured by law?
No law requires a dog walker to be insured. A business that employs people must hold employers' liability insurance, and one that uses vehicles for business needs motor insurance. Dogs Trust nonetheless says professional walkers should carry third-party liability cover.
What does a qualified dog walker need?
No qualification is legally required. Dogs Trust suggests looking for sound knowledge of dog behaviour and handling, canine first aid certificates and a first aid kit. Ask what training the person has done and when.
Does my pet insurance cover me if the sitter is at fault?
Your pet insurance typically covers your pet's vet treatment whoever is caring for them. The carer's own policy deals with their liabilities. Read your policy for exclusions, and ask your insurer if you are unsure how a particular situation would be treated.
Can I walk or board several dogs in Bromley without a licence?
In Bromley, a licence is required to walk four dogs at once in a public place. Home boarding and daycare can need a licence too if done as a business. Check the council's page for the current rules.
Choosing with confidence
An insured pet sitter is worth looking for, but the word is only a starting point. Ask to see the policy, check what it covers and when it runs out, look for first aid training, meet the carer with your dog, and agree what happens in an emergency.
When you are ready to get your dog set up for time with a sitter, have a look around the Roper & Paws online shop for leads, beds, toys, food and treats, or ask us about walks and visits in Bromley and Lewisham.
Sources
- Insuring your business, Business.gov.uk
- How to find a good dog walker, Dogs Trust
- How to find a UK pet-sitter you can trust, The Guardian
- Dog walking and pet sitter insurance, AXA
- Do you need dog walking insurance? Pet Business Insurance
- Dog walking guide 2024
- Dog walking licence, Bromley Council
- Animal activity licence, Lewisham Council
- Animal welfare licensing, Redbridge Council
- How to choose the right dog walker or pet sitter, Battersea
Written with BabyLoveGrowth for Google and AI search
Disclaimer
The information published on the Roper & Paws blog is provided for general information and educational purposes only. While we aim to provide accurate, helpful and up-to-date advice, we cannot guarantee that all information is complete or suitable for every pet.
Articles covering dog health, nutrition, behaviour, training and safety are not a substitute for professional veterinary advice or guidance from a suitably qualified professional. Always consult your veterinarian if you have