HIA - Insurance for businesses Involved in the Care of Customers Animals

Insurance for Businesses Involved in the Care of Customers’ Animals Any business proprietor should take the question of insurance very seriously. Not only are there legal obligations regarding the insurance you must purchase, but, with animals in your care, professional obligations also come into account.

Insurance is supposed to provide peace of mind. However, think carefully about what you need to operate your business safely and responsibly. A few key tips:     

Always ensure that you have the correct cover for your business needs.

Make sure you inform the Insurance broker / insurer of all business activities you do.

If you do not tell them it may not be covered if you have an accident.

Always read the small print before signing.

Particularly consider the excess amount you will have to pay on any claim before the insurance will apply All claims must be reported as soon as possible in order that the insurer’s position has not been prejudiced (it can be worth contacting your broker/insurer if you have a problem, even if you are not making a claim at that point, so that there is a record of your situation and they can advise you accordingly).

Ensure you make the right choice to suit your business needs.

Public Liability Insurance Public Liability Insurance protects you and your business against claims brought against you by other people (that are not working for your business). It covers you for your legal liability for injury to these people or damage to their property whilst you are going about your business activities. The cover also extends to cover products supplied by you in your business. Public Liability is not a legal requirement but it is good business practice Examples of potential claims: (a) A customer drops off a dog and slips on a wet floor in your grooming salon and injures themselves. (b) You enter a customer’s home to look after their dog and upon entering the customer’s home you knock off an expensive vase causing it to break. (c) A dog you are walking escapes from your control and runs into traffic causing a car accident.

Care, Custody & Control Insurance Most insurance policies will not extend to cover you against your legal liability for loss of or injury to animals in your care, custody or control. We strongly suggest you ensure this cover is in place, as accidents can happen and vets fees costs can be very high.

Some policies will cover the cost of veterinary fees following accidental injury and compensation payments following the accidental death or loss of an animal in your care.

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Examples of Potential Claims: (a) Whilst grooming a dog you accidentally cut it. Resulting in a trip to the vet and stitches being required. (b) A dog manages to escape from your control and runs off and disappears. (c) Upon returning a dog to the owner in your vehicle. You have a road traffic accident and the dog is killed.

Employer’s Liability Insurance Employer’s Liability Insurance is a compulsory legal requirement. You are responsible for the health and safety of your employees while they are at work. Your employees may be injured at work, or they or your former employees may become ill as a result of their work while in your employment. They may try to claim compensation from you if they believe you are responsible.

You must ensure you provide relevant training to all employees and this is documented and updated regularly. Do not allow an employee to do something if they have not been trained to do so. Refer to www.hse.gov.uk for further assistance and advice.

Employer's Liability Insurance will enable you to meet the cost of compensation for your employees' injuries or illnesses whether they are caused on or off site. However, any injuries or illnesses relating to motor accidents which occur while your employees are working for your, may be covered separately by your motor insurance. You can be fined if you do not hold a current employer's liability insurance policy which complies with the law.

Please note that volunteers and work experience are classed as employees.

Examples of Potential Claims: (a) An employee injures their back whilst lifting a dog onto the grooming table. No training has been provided for manual handling.

Personal Accident Insurance This insurance will provide you, the proprietor, (and if required your employees also) with weekly benefits whilst you are unable to work following an accident. This can also cover death and capital benefits (such as loss of a limb, hearing, sight).

Some policies cover is as a result of an accident during business hours only, however some polices can provide 24 hour cover (with some exclusions applying) You can also get cover to extend for loss of income as a result of illness; however the premium is a lot more expensive.

Examples of Potential Claims:

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(a) Business Personal Accident. Whilst grooming a customers dog, the dog becomes unsettled and turns round and bites your hand. This results in a serious injury and damage to the tendons in your hand. (b) Business Personal Accident. Whilst walking a customers dog, you slip and break your ankle. (c) 24 Hour Personal Accident. You slip at the top of your stairs at home and fall all the way down breaking your leg on impact. (d) 24 Hour Personal Accident. Whilst out walking you are hit by a car which results in hospitalisation and being unable to work for a period.

Please note that there may be a deferment period / excess that applies to this cover. This means that claims for incidents when you are only off work for a certain period (e.g. two weeks) may not be covered.

Vehicle Insurance If your business uses motor vehicles on the road, it is a legal requirement to purchase at least third-party motor insurance – this covers injury to third parties and damage to third party property.

It is highly recommended that groomers have comprehensive insurance to cover damage to or theft of your own vehicles. Sometimes employees use their own vehicles in their job make sure that insurance for all such vehicles has been extended to include business use.

Even if you rarely collect and deliver customers animals this is still considered as business use and therefore you must inform your insurer accordingly.

If your business vehicle has been modified in any way, you must inform the insurers. If you are grooming or washing from your vehicle and have a full fit out installed, many motor insurers will not wish to cover this vehicle. If you have a claim and the insurer is unaware of the modification they may not deal with the claim.

Property Insurance If you are running your business from your own home or an outbuilding within your own property, you must inform your Household insurer. Many will just note the policy, some may charge extra premium, but some insurer’s philosophy is that they will not continue cover for any aspect of your household insurance and you will need to obtain cover with an alternative insurer. Some household insurers may also not wish to cover the actual outbuilding you are grooming from. Be it a garage, barn, summerhouse, shed, etc – you may need to cover this with your business insurer.

If you are grooming from a business location and you do not own the building, you must ensure the landlord has arranged adequate buildings insurance, which as the tenant he may ask you to reimburse him for. Within the lease there maybe conditions that state you are responsible for insuring some parts of the building, such as the glass (shop front) or in fact

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even the whole building. We would suggest you discuss this with your landlord so you fully understand your obligations.

If you are the owner of the building you can either insure it with the business insurance, or alternatively you may find it better value to insure it separately under a property owner insurance policy.

Professional Indemnity Insurance Whilst less likely to be needed by most pet care professionals, Professional Indemnity Insurance

provides protection for negligent advice or a service provided by you for a separate fee; and is designed to safeguard you against claims made by clients for any resulting financial loss or damage to their reputation.

Professional indemnity insurance protects you against damages you become liable for; mistakes such as errors of judgement, basic administration errors, mislay or damage clients' documents etc. resulting in loss of business and damage to reputation.

Professional indemnity coverage sometimes also provides for defence costs, including when legal action turns out to be groundless. Coverage does not include criminal prosecution, nor a wide range of potential liabilities under civil law that are not detailed in the policy, but which may be subject to other forms of insurance.

Conclusion To conclude, your customers (animals and people) and staff are very important for the livelihood and reputation of your business and correct insurance cover can protect you if an incident occurs.

If you are unsure of the cover you need please contact us and we will happily provide you with a quotation for your business.

Our organisation and staff have many years experience in the insurance covers you need and we will be only to happy to assist you.

Contact Details HIA International Limited, 14b St Cuthbert’s Street, Bedford MK40 3JB Telephone - 01234 346495 E-Mail – pettrades@hiaint.com

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