When you’re busy running a pet business, whether it’s grooming, doggy daycare, or training, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day. But there’s one area you can’t afford to overlook: insurance.
To help break it down, we’ve teamed up with two industry experts:
- Ginette Bryant a commercial specialist with 25+ years of experience across the pet, veterinary, and insurance sectors, and
- Stephen Kinsville, a commercial insurance professional with 10+ years of experience in broking expertise and marketing insight across diverse industries.
Together, they shed light on what Employers Liability insurance is, who needs it, and why skipping it could cost your business dearly.
What is Employers Liability insurance?
Employers’ Liability insurance is designed to protect your pet business if a member of staff member suffers an injury or illness as a result of working for you. This includes permanent and part-time employees, as well as freelancers and un-paid volunteers.
If a claim is made, Employers’ Liability insurance can cover you for legal fees and any compensation payouts.
A legal requirement for UK businesses
In the UK, Employers Liability insurance is a legal requirement as soon as you employ someone, even if it’s just a temporary helper or a student on work experience.
Without the correct cover, you could be fined £2,500 each day you’re uninsured, plus £1,000 for not displaying your insurance certificate where employees can see it.
Who needs Employers Liability insurance?
It’s not just for businesses with full-time paid staff. You may also need Employers Liability insurance if you have:
- Casual or part-time staff
- Volunteers
- Work experience placements
- Self-employed contractors working under your supervision
You might be thinking, “But I don’t have employees. I just have the occasional helper or student placement.
That still counts.
According to Ginette:
“Yes. Even if you’re a solo operator who only brings in work experience students or unpaid volunteers from time to time, the law still requires you to have Employers’ Liability cover. It must be in place for the full duration of their placement.”
Stephen adds:
“We’ve seen claims arise from situations that seem minor on the surface but can quickly escalate. Without proper cover, you’re exposed not just to compensation costs, but also to legal fees that can snowball fast.”
With how costly legal cases can be, it makes sense that most insurers suggest around £10 million in cover.
A real-life example
Riley, a student on placement at Purrfect Pamper, a small grooming salon, was bitten by a dog during a grooming session. Although he was being supervised, the injury was serious enough to require hospital treatment and long-term physiotherapy for nerve damage.
Later, Riley made a claim for medical expenses and compensation. Even though the owner, Sam, had done everything she thought was right, the legal costs quickly began to add up, running into the thousands.
Luckily, Sam had taken the time to check her insurance policy before bringing students into the business. She had Employers Liability cover in place, with up to £10 million in protection, saving her from a major financial headache and giving her peace of mind when she needed it most.
How much cover do you need?
By UK law, you’re required to have a minimum of £5 million in Employers’ Liability insurance. However, many policies include up to £10 million in cover, as legal fees and compensation claims can rise fast.
Check your policy to make sure you’re covered, especially if:
- You’ve recently hired someone
- You’re offering student placements or internships
- You rely on casual workers or volunteers during busy periods
Protect your pet business
We know pet professionals like you work hard to provide a safe and caring environment for both animals and people. But accidents can happen, and when they do, Employers’ Liability insurance means you’re not left dealing with the fallout alone.
Take time to review your policy and make sure its fit for your business. If in doubt, give our team a call.