Insurance for looking after a dog - is it a thing, do I need it?

[TyrannysaurusXXrightshoarder]

Wondering if anyone has any experience or knowledge of this?
I’m soon going to be looking after my neighbours’ dog, for two months, whilst they visit their home country. They, quite rightly, think that length of time in kennels (even though the one we use is excellent) would be very detrimental for a dog. He’s a lovely boy and, after we lost the last of our elderly dogs a few weeks ago, we’re all really looking forward to having him 😊. He’s a very big and very boisterous two year old Labrador (he is well trained, he just forgets himself sometimes 😉) and although I have years of experience with Labradors, it’s been a while since I’ve had a two year old! I’m not expecting any disasters, but I think I should plan just in case. So, neighbour has pet insurance, so anything veterinary is covered but I’m wondering about accidents - ie what if he caused an accident, bit another dog (he won’t), or a human (he really won’t), or escaped etc. Even if my neighbours’ policy covers all of those things, I’m guessing it wouldn’t extend to me when I’m looking after him. So do I need some kind of public liability insurance? I know if I was a professional dog walker I’d need it, and if it was just for a weekend I’d probably not be concerned, but I think two months is quite a long time and I should probably be thinking about it. What do you think?

I’m not sure if I’m overthinking (or possibly under thinking 🤔)

Get insurance. I assume they are paying you - which takes it into the realms of a business.

You need to cover third party damage in your care- not only if he bites someone , but slips his lead and runs into the road causing a driver to swerve and write of 2 parked cars etc etc.

Not sure about insurance if , god forbid the dog dies on your watch either if natural causes or an accident - either on the road , attacked by a dog or and awful accident like , I dunno runs into a river etc. However it’s something to consider too.

Yes you need insurance. While the dog is in your care, you're legally responsible for its actions. If it bit someone or ran into traffic and caused a three car pile up, you'll be the one who gets sued. I run a dog walking business and we're insured for up to £5 million on public liability.

I would first get the dogs owner to check what their policy covers, as dog insurance usually includes third party cover in addition to the vet side of things. If needs be, get them to make a phone call to ask how things are affected by leaving the dog with you. As you're not the owner, you won't be able to take out a normal policy, and if you're not a business you won't be able to take out a business policy. I know for sure my company wouldn't be able to help you just for 2 months, I honestly don't know who could 🤷‍♀️

Hmmm, all three responses give me something to think about, thank you. Yes, we are being paid (though frankly my DDs are so desperate to have him, they’d probably pay ndn for the privilege). Yes, I see what you mean not being an owner or business, but I was thinking maybe a general public liability policy will be cover enough.

@TyrannysaurusXXrightshoarder

Hmmm, all three responses give me something to think about, thank you. Yes, we are being paid (though frankly my DDs are so desperate to have him, they’d probably pay ndn for the privilege). Yes, I see what you mean not being an owner or business, but I was thinking maybe a general public liability policy will be cover enough.

If you are being paid this is considered home boarding and you need to be licenced by the local council for home boarding.

But are you a business needing a licence if it's a one-off for friends?

Dogs trust membership includes 3rd party insurance for £25 a year.
www.dogstrust.org.uk/get-involved/membership/

Do they know their vet accepts direct claims with their insurance or happy to put on account as you don't want to get stuck having to pay upfront. When I looked after friends dog she left me with copy of insurance policy so I knew what it covered & discussed what to do in an emergency. The owner would have to deal with any claims as policyholder although can usually add a second person.

Have the dog stay for a weekend so you're sure you can manage and aware of any issues prior to owner leaving the country, it can be quite different to just walking them.

@Grumpyosaurus

But are you a business needing a licence if it's a one-off for friends?

If money is changing hands, it is a business transaction and a home boarding license should be in place. That said, the council aren't interested in one off neighbour arrangements, they are looking to clamp down on those who actually make a living out of it.

The dogs trust membership doesn't extend to looking after other people's dogs, whether as a friend or business.

The first thing you need to do is get your friend to check out their own policy first. I honestly think you will struggle to find the right cover separately just for 2 months if you're not the owner or a business.

They need to check with the owners' insurers that their specific policy covers claims when the dog is in the care of someone else for lengthy periods. They can (possibly wth additional premium) but that doesn't mean all do, and it's always better to find out before there's an issue.

Remind the owners they need to change chip details to show you as current keeper.

And you'll need to buy a new collar tag for the duration!

But are you a business needing a licence if it's a one-off for friends?
That’s the thing I think, and as I’m probably not going to be considered a ‘business’ I will probably struggle to get my own cover.

And you'll need to buy a new collar tag for the duration!
Yep, got that, good thinking.

So, first step throughly check their policy first and see if they do extend cover.

@TyrannysaurusXXrightshoarder

But are you a business needing a licence if it's a one-off for friends? That’s the thing I think, and as I’m probably not going to be considered a ‘business’ I will probably struggle to get my own cover.

And you'll need to buy a new collar tag for the duration!
Yep, got that, good thinking.

So, first step throughly check their policy first and see if they do extend cover.

First thing is to check council regulations our council considers even a single paying dog a year to be a boarding arrangement. If an accident happens and you should have been a licensed boarding establishment the pets insurance maybe invalid. It often hangs on how many days per year while this is only one dog and single visit it sounds like it is a considerable number of days

The council really don't care about someone looking after a dog for a friend. That's not the same as running a home boarding business so please don't be put off by that side of things. However if you're worried, just don't accept any money - the neighbours can cover food/treats/poo bag costs and maybe pay for a meal afterwards as a thank you?

However you are correct that you won't get insurance as you're not a business, so you need to see what the dogs' current policy covers with regards to the dog not living at home when an incident occurs.

You're doing a lovely thing by the way - your neighbours are lucky to have you

@icedcoffees

The council really don't care about someone looking after a dog for a friend. That's not the same as running a home boarding business so please don't be put off by that side of things. However if you're worried, just don't accept any money - the neighbours can cover food/treats/poo bag costs and maybe pay for a meal afterwards as a thank you?

However you are correct that you won't get insurance as you're not a business, so you need to see what the dogs' current policy covers with regards to the dog not living at home when an incident occurs.

You're doing a lovely thing by the way - your neighbours are lucky to have you

We can’t wait! This last month, since we lost our last golden oldie, is the first time in nearly fifteen years we’ve been dogless. I have decided I’m not going to rush in to getting another dog just yet though as both DDs are off to university next September and life might change in all sorts of ways, but it’s been so weird - looking after him seems like a perfect opportunity. I take on board what Lonecatwithkitten says though and I shall check this out, jic.

Surely the dogs own insurance will cover all these things. This isn't a business transaction and presumably any money changing hands will just be expenses? I suppose the collar tag is a consideration however I can't say it's ever crossed my mind to change my ddogs when I've gone on holiday.

however I can't say it's ever crossed my mind to change my ddogs when I've gone on holiday

For an ordinary length holiday, no. For two months, though, I'd want both chip and ID to where the dog is actually living, as that's who you want alerting, and where you want him returned to if they wander. Especially if there's a time difference

@wetotter

however I can't say it's ever crossed my mind to change my ddogs when I've gone on holiday

For an ordinary length holiday, no. For two months, though, I'd want both chip and ID to where the dog is actually living, as that's who you want alerting, and where you want him returned to if they wander. Especially if there's a time difference

Changing the chip for a two month holiday is a bit of a overreaction IMO. OP can just buy a tag and add it to the collar with her own information.

I have loads of tags with my details on and pop them on the collars of the dogs I walk for work, just in case one runs off/goes missing.

No, you don't change the chip!!

The owner logs on to their identichip account and inputs the details of the temporary address. It's really straightforward.

Companies will only contact the owner or a person they have been correctly notified by the owner as the current keeper. It will save a heck of a lot of hassle if the dog is lost then found if the chip company can deal directly with the OP whilst the dog is with her.

@wetotter

No, you don't change the chip!!

The owner logs on to their identichip account and inputs the details of the temporary address. It's really straightforward.

Companies will only contact the owner or a person they have been correctly notified by the owner as the current keeper. It will save a heck of a lot of hassle if the dog is lost then found if the chip company can deal directly with the OP whilst the dog is with her.

Actually the law says that the chip should be the 'registered keeper' just like a car so if the owners are away for an extended period this is the OP.