Out in all weather with several dogs at once
You might walk miles a day across muddy fields and icy pavements with a handful of dogs pulling in different directions. Slips, falls and twisted ankles are the obvious risks. A strong dog lunging on a lead can injure a shoulder or wrist in a second.
There is also loading dogs in and out of a van, and long days on your feet. If you cannot walk, you cannot work, and owners need someone today, so they find a replacement.
The dogs themselves bring some risk: bites when breaking up a scuffle, or being pulled over by a reactive dog. Most incidents are minor, but a broken wrist or fractured ankle can stop you walking for six weeks or more.
Earnings, rounds and how insurers see them
Your income depends on how many dogs you walk and how often. School holidays can be busy with pet sitting, and January quieter. Insurers look past the swings by averaging the profits on your tax returns across a few years.
Many dog walkers start small, alongside another job. If you are new, tell us your history. Some insurers will consider previous employed earnings when you first go it alone.
Walkers who grow a round often take on a van, dog guards and crates, and sometimes a helper. Those costs come off your profit, which is the figure insurers use, so a bigger turnover does not always mean a bigger benefit.
- Keep records of income and costs such as van, fuel and kit
- Include pet sitting and home boarding income if you declare it
- Mention any council licence for home boarding
Occupation risk and the definition you get
Insurers sort jobs into risk classes. Dog walking is active and outdoors, so it usually sits above office work but below heavy trades. The class sets the price and which definition of incapacity you can have.
Own occupation cover pays if you cannot work as a dog walker. Some insurers offer a wider definition to active roles, which might look at whether you could do other suitable work. We make the trade-off clear before you choose.
If you also offer home boarding or day care, the insurer may ask how many dogs you look after at once. Describe your week as it is, and keep any council licence documents handy in case the insurer asks.
Making cover affordable, plus life insurance
If your income is modest, short-term income protection that pays for a set number of years per claim can keep the premium manageable. Combining it with a longer waiting period lowers the price again.
A life policy gives the people you name a lump sum if you die before it ends. If you rent, it can still give a partner or children a cushion. If you own a home, a mortgage protection policy can clear the loan.
Some walkers also look at critical illness cover, which pays a lump sum on diagnosis of a listed serious illness, whatever happens to your round.
How Hi Tomorrow helps
We present your work to insurers accurately and compare full and short-term income protection for you. You get a recommendation that fits your budget and your round, with help through the application and any future claim.