Dog trainers and animal behaviourists insurance

Policy information

This insurance policy is suitable for people and businesses who provide dog training, run dog training classes or provide dog behavioural assessments who wish to cover their public liability.

What insurance do I need?

There are five main types of insurance you need if you run a dog training or behavioural business. All are included in this insurance policy.

Public liability – Designed to protect you against liability claims for injury caused to third parties or damage to their property as a result of your negligence. For instance, if a dog escapes and injures a member of the public.

The standard limit is £5 million, but it can be extended to £10 million for an additional premium.

Products liability – this covers the club up to £5 million if injuries or damages arise as a result of a defective product that your business had supplied. Please note, this is not cover for retail sales where you sell any products.

Care, custody and control – cover is provided for any claim made against you for injury, loss or death of a dog while in the care, custody or control of you or an employee where there is liability.

Non-negligent cover – covers incidents where there is no negligence or fault on the business’ part, but a third party still experiences a loss or injury. For example, a gun dog is being trained and it falls down a rabbit hole breaking its leg.

Member to member – provides cover should a member of or an attendee be responsible for causing injury to a third party or damage to a third party’s property.

What is covered?

Dog training – such as puppy classes, obedience or agility training
Dog training clubs – if your club has a committee with a treasurer or secretary, please visit our dog clubs policy page
Behavioural consultations - if you offer behavioural consultations, vet referrals, expert witness or have been called to assess the temperament of an animal, this policy will automatically include this. However, we do recommend that you also consider holding professional indemnity insurance
Residential dog training – if a dog is trained while staying with you
Gun dog training – our policy includes the use of guns for field trails and attending field trails. Please obtain separately personal liability for your firearms
Dog agility clubs – this can include fly ball and agility work
Security and specialist detection dog training – such as search and rescue dogs, drug dogs or general purpose security dogs. We also offer a more specialist policy if you are carrying out these activities.

What is excluded?

Any excess applicable
Any animal subject to the Dangerous Wild Animals Act (DWAA)
Any cover for Banned Breeds in a group setting
Any activities outside of the UK, Northern Ireland or the Channel Islands

What optional extras can I add?

Employers’ liability – if you have paid, voluntary or self-employed helpers working for your business, you are legally required to have this insurance, it will provide cover should they suffer an injury while at work. The amount of cover provided is £10 million.

We can also offer a reduced premium should you only utilise voluntary helpers rather than paid employees. If you have or are thinking about having school age work experience, please contact us.

Personal accident – provides financial compensation if the insured party is unable to work due to an injury or illness, lasting for more than 7 days. If you already have a public liability policy with us, you can either add this cover to your existing policy or consider our stand-alone Cliverton Protect policy, to which you can also add sickness cover and offers benefits like 24/7 worldwide overage. We can offer various levels of cover to suit you and your business so please either call or email the team to discuss your options.

Please note that this does not cover any pre-existing conditions or illness.

Professional indemnity – protects your business should you offer professional advice for a fee, such as advising on training techniques or behavioural issues and it results in either a physical or financial loss. The resultant claims can be covered up to a standard of £500,000, however we are now able to offer lower levels of cover (£100,000 and £250,000) at reduced premiums.

Events, shows and fundraising – we can cover one-off and multiple events, shows and fundraising in connection to your business. We automatically include three events free of charge. Should you require more, there will be an additional charge.

Equipment and property – we can cover your organisation’s property and equipment, from small items (such as training tools) to large (such as agility equipment). We are also able to arrange cover for commercial premises, business interruption and theft of money. We can provide a separate home insurance cover, if you run your business from your own home, we recommend you notify your home insurer. If you also need cover for tools or property damage, please contact us.

Legal expenses - this is designed to protect you from unexpected legal costs arising from business risks. Find out more.

How much are the policy excesses?

The following excesses are applicable to the business policy only.

Liability excesses

Public liability
• Third party injury – nil
• Third party property damage – £100
• Care, custody and control and non-negligent – £50
Products liability – nil
Employers’ liability – nil

Property excesses

Buildings – £250
Contents – £100
Money – £100
Business interruption – nil
All other property claims – £100
Personal accident – first 7 days of incapacity

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Terms of Business
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Provision of Service Statement
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The public liability policy is underwritten by Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s.

Equipment and property is underwritten by Ecclesiastical Insurance Office plc.

Commercial Combined Key Facts

Combined Liability Policy Wording
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Notice to policy holders - September 2024

Legal expenses policy is underwritten by ARAG plc.

Legal Expenses – Key Facts

Legal Expenses Policy Wording
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Important information about our direct debit payment option

Insurance terms explained

We want to make sure that you understand the necessary insurance terms found within our website. This summary should explain anything that you may be unsure of.

Negligence – failure to take proper care
Premium – cost of the insurance policy
Excess – the first part of any claim payable by you
Business interruption – provides cover for loss of income following damage to the premises from which you work. It does not provide cover for pandemics.
Incapacity – inability to carry out activities
Liability – legal responsibility
Benefit – payment made
Compensation – payment made in recognition of loss or injury
Non-invasive – does not penetrate the skin
Banned breed – dogs which are illegal in the UK: American Pit Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Japanese Tosa, Fila Brasilerio and XL Bully.
Indemnity – covers compensation for loss or damage
Common ownership – the use of land by one or more people, which is owned by someone else
DWAA – Animals listed on the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976

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“Thank you so much for all of your help, you've truly been amazing.”

Laura Bridle,
pet minder

Dog trainers and behaviourists insurance

Cover as unique as your business

Safeguarding your passion

Policy information

MEMBER DISCOUNT

Meet Steph, Account Handler and dog lover

FACT SHEET
Insurance cover for trainers and behaviourists

NOT READY TO BUY?

Did you know we also sell home insurance?

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LEGALS

Dog trainers and behaviourists insurance

Cover as unique as your business

Safeguarding your passion

Policy information

MEMBER DISCOUNT

Meet Steph, Account Handler and dog lover

FACT SHEETInsurance cover for trainers and behaviourists

NOT READY TO BUY?

Did you know we also sell home insurance?

CONTACT US

LEGALS

FACT SHEET
Insurance cover for trainers and behaviourists