Location
The cost of veterinary treatment varies depending on your location. Where you live is likely to have an effect on your premium.
Compare quotes from 38 leading pet insurance brands
When it comes to protecting your furry friend, it’s important for pet owners to shop around for the right cover that suits what you both need. We work with over 30 leading pet insurance companies, to bring you our best deals.
1Accurate as of August 2024.
What is accident only pet insurance?
Accident only pet insurance protects your pet if it is injured in an accident or suffers complications arising from an accident. It’s the most basic type of pet insurance, with the least cover, so often works out the cheapest. Accident only pet insurance does not cover veterinary fees due to illness or disease, policy excess, pre-existing conditions or routine care like worming and vaccinations. It is not to be confused with accidental damage caused by a pet which falls under home insurance.
Why do I need it?
You might consider accident-only pet insurance for the following reasons:
Lower premiums: Accident-only policies are typically more affordable than comprehensive policies that cover both accidents and illnesses. This can be a good option for those on a tight budget.
Emergency coverage: If your pet is involved in an accident, accident-only insurance can help cover the costs of veterinary treatment, including surgeries, X-rays, and medications.
Unexpected expenses: Having accident-only insurance can provide peace of mind knowing that you're protected against these unforeseen expenses.
Ideal for younger pets: Younger pets are generally healthier and less likely to develop serious illnesses. For these pets, accident-only insurance may be sufficient.
Is accident only pet insurance worth it?
There are pros and cons to accident only pet insurance. You should consider these before purchasing a policy:
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Advantages:
Accident only is typically the cheapest type of pet insurance
It’s a good and cheap option for young, healthy pets
You can claim up to the amount stated on your policy, so you know exactly how much cover your pet has for each injury
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Disadvantages:
Minimal cover – it covers accidents only
Most policies have a cap on the amount you can claim for, you then have to pay the rest yourself
Policies tend to last 12 months, so ongoing treatment won’t be covered
How much does accident only pet insurance cost?
With MoneySuperMarket you can get accident only cover for £3.95
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Age of your pet
As your pet ages, insurers see the likelihood of you having to make a claim for an injury or illness to increase, therefore, pushing up your premiums.
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Pre-existing conditions
If your pet has a pre-existing health condition, the cost of your premiums will likely be higher as there is a greater likelihood that you will have to make a claim.
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Previous claim history
If you have made previous claims on the same pet, insurers see it as a higher risk, increasing the cost of your premiums.
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Excess
Choose a higher policy excess, can reduce your premium. However, the amount of excess you choose is the amount you will need to contribute when you make a claim.
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Pet type and breed
Typically, insuring a cat is cheaper than cover for a dog. As some breeds are more susceptible to certain conditions, the breed of your pet will also affect the cost of your insurance
How can I make my cover cheaper?
Choose your level of cover
The more comprehensive cover you choose, the more expensive your premiums will be. Decide what policy features you need such as covering your pup for illness or accidents, or overseas cover if you plan to travel with them
Consider multi-pet insurance
Insurers often offer a discount of between 5% and 10% if you insure more than one pet, so take advantage and insure your pets together
Your excess amount
Paying a higher excess usually means you will be rewarded with a lower premium. Just make sure you can afford the excess in the event of a claim
Pay yearly rather than monthly
It can often work out cheaper to pay for your policy upfront rather than in monthly instalments
Decide on policy add-ons
Some pet insurance providers will offer additional policy features for your puppy, such as dental cover or alternative therapy treatments
Compare providers
Use our comparison tool to compare policies from a range of the UK's leading pet insurance providers
Our expert says…
We all want our pets to have the best of everything, especially care and treatment. But if your pet is young and healthy, a basic, accident only insurance policy could be enough to give you both peace of mind and a little cost saving. Just remember that these policies do what they say on the tin and won’t help if your pet develops a health condition, which is why it probably won’t be a good choice for an older or ill pet.
Kate Hughes Money & Savings Expert
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Pet insurance guides and tips
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Alternative policy options
With MoneySuperMarket, you can get your Accident only policy for less than £3.95
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Time limited
A time limited policy lets you claim up to a certain amount within a set period, usually 12 months. It can be useful for short-term conditions and accident-related treatment, but probably isn’t the best option for older animals, especially those with pre-existing health conditions.
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Maximum benefit
Maximum benefit policies offer a fixed amount per condition, with no time limit. This is great if your pet’s condition requires treatment for more than a year. However, you can only claim for each condition once, even if the problem reoccurs at a later date.
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Lifetime
A lifetime policy pays for your pet’s treatment throughout his or her lifetime, as long as you keep renewing it every year. And if your pet develops an illness, you will be covered for the treatment of any related issues too. Often more suited to younger pets as it's more expensive to insure older pets.
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Can I get pet insurance after an accident?
You won’t be able to take out accident only pet insurance and make a claim after your pet has had an accident. You will need to have it in place already. Usually when you take out a pet insurance policy, you can’t make a claim straight away. This is known as the exclusion period and typically lasts 14 days.
What is accidental damage on a pet insurance policy?
Accidental damage cover is usually an add-on to your home insurance policy. It protects you against damage done to your home by your pet. This will usually cover accidents like your dog knocking over an expensive ornament or breaking some technical equipment. Most policies tend to exclude pet damage caused by chewing, scratching, tearing and defecating.
Is a pet swallowing something classed as an accident?
Yes, swallowed objects that cause difficulties for your pet tend to be described as an accident.
If my pet has been in a fight is that classed as an accident?
As an owner, you are liable for your dog. Therefore, if your dog causes injury or damage to another dog, person or property, you may have to pay for those damages. Vice versa, if your dog is attacked, the owner of the aggressor dog will bear responsibility for any injuries to the unprovoked animal. Either way, it is important to have insurance to keep your pet and your money protected.
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