For groomers
Dog Grooming Insurance: Public Liability, CCC and the Law
Only employers' liability is a legal requirement, at £5 million once you employ anyone. Public liability and care, custody and control cover are what protect a groomer when a dog or a client is hurt.
What insurance does a dog groomer need?
By law, only employers' liability insurance, at £5 million or more, and only once you employ someone outside your immediate family; the fine for not having it is up to £2,500 for every day uninsured. In practice, groomers also carry public liability and care, custody and control (CCC) cover, because the commonest claim is a client's dog injured on the table, and many public liability policies exclude animals in your care. A mobile groomer also needs van insurance for business use.
What does public liability cover?
Covers injury to people and damage to their property caused by your business: a client tripping over a cable in the salon, or a van door damaging a car on a drive. Policies are commonly offered at £1 million, £2 million or £5 million of cover. Landlords and some councils ask for a minimum.
What does care, custody and control cover?
Covers injury to, illness of, or loss of an animal while it is in your care: a nick from scissors, a clipper burn, a dog escaping from the van, or a dog taken ill during a groom. Because the dog is in your custody, an ordinary public liability policy often does not cover it. Check the limit per animal, whether vet fees are covered, and whether loss or escape is included.
What other cover is worth considering?
Professional indemnity for advice that turns out to cause loss. Products liability if you sell shampoos or treatments. Equipment and stock cover for clippers, dryers and tables, including in the van overnight. Business interruption for a salon that cannot open. Personal accident or income protection, since a groomer who cannot use their hands cannot work.
What will an insurer ask you?
Expect questions on qualifications, years of experience, whether you work from a salon, home or van, the services you offer (hand stripping, de-matting, giant breeds), and whether you employ anyone. Some trade bodies include insurance options in membership. Read the exclusions: matted coats, elderly dogs and pre-existing conditions are common ones.
Common questions
Is insurance a legal requirement for dog groomers?
Only employers' liability, once you employ someone. Public liability and care, custody and control cover are not required by law but are standard practice.
Does public liability cover a client's dog?
Often not, because the dog is in your care. Care, custody and control cover is the policy for that.
Do mobile groomers need special van insurance?
Yes. The van must be insured for business use, and the equipment inside it may need separate cover.