Does a Dog Groomer Need Public Liability Insurance?
No — public liability insurance isn't legally required for dog groomers in the UK. But almost every working groomer needs it, and — this is the part most groomers miss — public liability alone doesn't cover the dogs you're grooming. Injury to an animal in your care needs a separate cover called Care, Custody & Control. If you employ anyone, employers' liability is also legally required.
Plus Care, Custody & Control
Employers' liability
*Narrow exemption for sole traders/partnerships employing only close family — not limited companies.
Is it actually the law?
No. There's no law forcing a groomer to hold public liability insurance. It becomes essential because you work hands-on with animals and clients — a customer slipping in your salon, or damage to their property — and as a sole trader the claim lands on you personally.
The gap that catches groomers out
This is the valuable bit.
Standard public liability covers injury to people and damage to property. But it typically excludes injury to the animals in your care, because they're in your “care, custody and control.”
So if a dog is nicked with the clippers, injured on the table, or falls ill during grooming, a plain public liability policy usually won't pay. For that you need Care, Custody & Control cover — the protection groomers most often overlook, and the one that matters most in a job where handling nervous animals with sharp tools is the daily risk.
A proper groomer policy usually bundles public liability with CCC, and often vet fees and cover for an animal going missing.
The cover that IS the law
Employ anyone — even part-time, even a work-experience placement — and employers' liability insurance becomes a legal requirement. Minimum £5 million of cover, with fines of up to £2,500 for each day you're without it.
The narrow exemption is for unincorporated businesses (sole traders or partnerships) employing only close family members. It does not apply to limited companies — a grooming business trading as a limited company needs cover even if the only employee is a family member.
Not sure whether you need Care, Custody & Control on top of public liability?
Use our free business insurance checker to see exactly what your grooming business needs — under a minute, no jargon. When you're ready, you can compare tailored quotes from UK insurers.
Question 1 of 8
What's your business structure?
This personalises the wording — it doesn't change what's legally required.
Frequently asked questions
Is public liability insurance a legal requirement for dog groomers?
No. It isn't required by law in the UK, though many premises, franchises and client agreements expect it.
Does public liability cover injury to a dog I'm grooming?
Usually not. Animals in your care are generally excluded from standard public liability — that's what Care, Custody & Control cover is for.
What is Care, Custody & Control cover?
It covers injury, illness or loss affecting an animal while it's in your care — the situation a grooming business faces every day. It's normally a separate section of a groomer policy rather than part of public liability.
Do I need employers' liability insurance as a dog groomer?
Yes, if you employ anyone, including part-time or work-experience staff. Minimum £5m cover, fines up to £2,500 a day. A narrow exemption applies to sole traders and partnerships employing only close family; it does not apply to limited companies.
Related guides
Public liability insurance is not legally required in the UK; the requirement to hold it typically arises from client contracts or premises conditions. Animals in a groomer's care are generally excluded from standard public liability and fall under Care, Custody & Control cover — check your own policy wording. Employers' liability insurance is a legal requirement under the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 — minimum £5 million of cover, fines of up to £2,500 per day, enforced by the HSE; the exemption applies to unincorporated businesses employing only close family members and does not extend to limited companies (see GOV.UK, “Employers' liability insurance”).