
As a therapy dog business owner, you know first-hand how important it is to provide a safe, stimulating and supportive environment. At Cliverton, we know how important it is to know your business is in the safe hands of an insurance broker who cares about animals as much as you do.
GET A QUOTEWagging tails, wet noses and unconditional love make a world of difference in people’s lives. As a therapy dog business owner, you’re doing vital work that needs to be protected.
That's where we can help.
Here at Cliverton, we aren’t just insurance experts – we’re barking mad about animals too and we believe businesses like yours deserve the best possible cover.
Whether you have a pack of PAT pooches or a team of reading assistance dogs, we work alongside you to create insurance cover that’s tailored to your specific needs. Rest assured you’ll have that safety net should any unexpected hiccups happen along the way.
This therapy dog insurance policy is suitable for people, businesses and organisations who are looking to hold public liability whilst they are using animals for therapy purposes. It is not suitable for personal assistance dogs or people who require vet fee cover.
There are four main types of insurance you need if you run a dog therapy business. All are included in this dog therapy 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 bites 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 business for the same amount as the selected Public Liability if injuries or damages arise as a result of a defective product that your business supplies.
Please note that this does not cover you for the sale of products, please contact us for more information about retail sales.
Care,custody and control - cover is provided for any claim made against you for injury, loss or death of an animal while in the care, custody or control of you or an employee where there is liability.
Cover is in line with the selected Public Liability amount (either up to £5 million or £10 million).
Loss of keys - if you are looking after a customer’s keys as part of your business, there is cover should the keys be lost or stolen from either you or an employee or locked in a building. Cover is up to £10,000.
It covers reading assistance dogs, therapy dogs (at schools, businesses, colleges etc) and PAT dogs.
• The therapy dog must be at least 6 months old.
• The policy is subject to a written behavioural assessment by a qualified, third-party dog behaviourist.
• If additional dog handlers will be supporting the dog’s owner, a risk assessment must be submitted to us.
Employers’ liability – if you have paid, voluntary or self-employed helpers working for your business, you are legally required to have this insurance. This will provide cover should a helper get injured and you are deemed liable. The amount of cover provided is £10 million.
We are also able to source cover for additional handlers for your dog, subject to a risk assessment. Please contact us for more information on this. The amount of cover provided is £10 million.
If you have or are thinking about having school age work experience, please contact us.
Professional indemnity – protects your business should you offer professional advice for a fee. For example, 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 maximum of £500,000, however lower levels of cover (£100,000 and £250,000) are available at reduced premiums.
Please note, this section does not apply to online courses or banned dog breeds.
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 through us, you can add this cover to your existing policy.
Please note that this does not cover any pre-existing conditions or illness.
Equipment and commercial buildings – cover for your organisation’s property and equipment. This can include handheld small items to larger pieces of furniture and machinery. We are also able to source cover for commercial premises, business interruption and theft of money.
Please contact us to request a proposal form for any equipment and property cover.
Events, shows and fundraising – we can cover one-off and multiple events, shows and fundraising in connection to your business. We automatically include five events free of charge. Should you require more, there will be an additional charge.
Legal expenses - this is designed to protect you from unexpected legal costs arising from business risks. Find out more .
The following excesses are standard policy excesses. However, please refer to your schedule for specific excesses for your policy.
Liability excesses
Property Excesses
Terms of Business
Provision of Service Statement
The public liability policy is underwritten by Aspen Managing Agents Ltd, syndicate 4711.
Equipment and property is underwritten by Ecclesiastical Insurance Office plc.
Commercial Combined Key Facts
Combined Liability Policy Wording
Legal expenses policy is underwritten by ARAG Legal Expenses Insurance Company Limited.
Legal Expenses Policy Wording
Important information about our direct debit payment option
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

I work in the smallholding team and have a lab x spaniel called Peaches. I’d definitely have more dogs if I could…as many as I could possibly get away with! I love spending time with my family and friends, especially if it means bringing Peaches along too. If she can’t come, I probably won’t go, we’re very much a two-for-one!
My favourite thing about working at Cliverton is the team, not just the office dogs, but the support around you and working alongside people who genuinely care about each other and our clients.
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