Cliverton and the Various Insurance's Required

Cliverton only insures those working in animal-related businesses and has been there to support its customers at times of crisis for almost 50 years.  We are often asked a wide range of questions by clients relating to the insurance of their grooming businesses and because of this we have put together an explanation of the main covers available that we hope will be useful.

Public Liability

Public liability insurance covers injury to a third party and/or damage to their property where you have been proven to be negligent.

Claim scenarios:

• A client brings their dog to your grooming salon, trips over an electrical extension lead, falls and suffers an injury requiring medical treatment.
• You leave the door open and a dog in your care escapes and runs into the road in front of a car.  The car swerves to avoid the dog and is involved in a collision with an oncoming vehicle.

How does this protect me?

Assuming negligence is established, our policy will pay for up to £5million (£10million is available at additional cost) of bodily injury and/or property damage as a result of the incident with no policy excess for bodily injury and £100 for property damage.

Care, Custody and Control

Provides protection for the animals in your care. Injury or illness caused to the animal where your negligence is proven.  Non-negligent cover relates to accidental injury to an animal where you have not been negligent.  Claims are only paid at your request.

Claim scenarios:

• Whilst grooming a dog, you cut its tail with your clippers, causing an injury requiring veterinary treatment.
• Whilst being taken for a pavement walk, a dog cuts its foot on some glass and requires veterinary treatment.

How does this protect me?

Assuming negligence is established e.g. where the dogs tail is cut whilst being groomed, our policy will cover the vet’s fees subject to an excess of £50. Even if no negligence is established e.g. where the dog cuts its foot whilst being walked, our policy will cover the vet’s fees subject to an excess of £50, if you request that the claim is paid.

Employers’ Liability

Anyone operating under your instruction is classed as an employee, whether they are paid, self-employed or a volunteer and it is a legal requirement that employers’ liability insurance is in force.  Employers’ liability covers your liability for injury to your employees caused by your negligence.

Claims scenarios:

• Your grooming assistant is bitten by a dog whilst grooming it, requires medical treatment and is unable to work whilst recovering.
• Your employee slips on a wet floor that has no warning signs and suffers an injury requiring medical attention.

How does this protect me?

Employers’ liability is a statutory liability with limited defences at law.  Should negligence be established, our policy will provide cover of up to £10million for any one event.

Business Buildings and Equipment

If you wish, you can include cover for your commercial buildings and business equipment against specified perils.

Claims scenario:

• Your grooming equipment is kept in a locked shed. The shed is broken into and the equipment stolen.

How does this protect me?

If you have requested cover for the building, the policy will cover the damage caused to the shed, subject to an excess of £250.  If cover has been requested for the equipment, the policy will cover the replacement value of the stolen equipment, subject to an excess of £100.

Additional Information:

• Buildings – covers fire, lightning, explosion, aircraft, earthquake, storm and falling trees, impact, malicious damage, theft and flood and burst pipes only.  There is no cover for accidental damage or breakdown.
• Equipment – covers fire, lightning, explosion, aircraft, earthquake, impact, malicious damage and theft only.  There is no cover for storm, flood, burst pipes, accidental damage or breakdown.
• Buildings and equipment cover is an optional extra at an additional premium.

Professional Indemnity:

Covers you for liability arising as result of giving negligent advice in return for a fee. This is a cover most commonly required by trainers and hydrotherapists.  It is not usually required by pet minders, dog walkers or groomers.

Claims scenario:

• You provide a written report on a dog with behavioural difficulties.  The owner of the dog follows your advice but this makes the dog’s behaviour worse rather than better.  The owner of the dog sues you for giving negligent advice.

How does this protect me?

Assuming negligence is established our policy will pay up to £500,000 damages, costs and expenses.

Commercial Legal Expenses:

This separate policy is designed to cover legal risks arising from carrying out your business, such as employee disputes, not arising from being a proviate individual e.g. there is no cover for divorce proceedings.  The policy is split into different sections with each section often having its own conditions and exclusions.  Cover applies only for situations arising after the start date of the policy and is not available for any pre-existing disputes.

The main sections of cover are as follows:

• 24 hour legal advice helpline.
• Online legal assistance.
• Employment disputes and employment compensation awards.
• Property and landlord disputes.
• Contractual disputes.
• Criminal defence.
• Tax protection.
• Regulatory compliance.
• Court attendance costs.
• Crisis communication.
• Downloadable templates.

Underinsurance – are you adequately protected?

If you have underinsured your business, the cost to your business could be huge should an event occur.  Inadequate cover can lead to a reduced insurance payment, meaning business owners have to make up the shortfall and leaving them out of pocket.  A large financial loss could also lead to business closure.

Home Insurance:

If you run your grooming business from your home address you need to ensure that your household insurer is aware of this and happy to continue cover.  Many UK home insurers will not provide cover if you are working from home.  We have a specialist home insurance policy designed specifically for you.