Dog grooming insurance in the UK: what cover to look for

Updated 7 October 2026

Insurance is one of the first things to sort when you start grooming, and one of the easiest to get wrong. This guide explains the types of cover groomers usually look at. It isn’t financial advice: speak to an insurer or broker about your own business.

Public liability

Covers you if a member of the public is injured, or their property damaged, because of your business. For a salon, that might be a client tripping in reception; for a mobile groomer, damage at a client’s home.

Care, custody and control

Public liability often doesn’t cover the animals in your care. Care, custody and control cover (sometimes called animal in your care) is the part that covers injury to, or loss of, a dog while you’re looking after it. Check it’s included.

Other cover to consider

Employer’s liability: a legal requirement in the UK if you employ staff, with some exceptions.
Equipment and stock cover for clippers, dryers, tables and products.
Business use on your vehicle insurance, and cover for the van’s fit-out, if you groom on the road.
Professional indemnity, if you give advice as part of your service.
Business interruption, if a fire or flood stops you working.

Keep good records

Insurers will want to know what happened if there’s a claim. Signed consent forms, notes on each dog’s health and behaviour, and photos before and after a groom all help.

Questions

Do dog groomers need insurance in the UK?

Employer’s liability is a legal requirement if you employ staff. Public liability and care, custody and control cover aren’t legally required for most groomers, but almost all take them out.

Does public liability cover the dogs I groom?

Not always. Cover for animals in your care is often a separate section. Ask your insurer specifically.