Is pet insurance worth it?
Key takeaways
While not legally required, pet insurance can be a cost-effective way to manage vet bills.
There are various types of pet insurance policies available, so it's important to compare both cover levels and premiums before buying insurance.
The cost of pet insurance will be affected by the type of animal, your pet’s age, and the level of cover you want.
What are the benefits of pet insurance?
Pet insurance can help cover the cost of veterinary treatment and other expenses if your pet becomes ill or is injured. It can also provide peace of mind that you will be able to pay for pet health treatment.
Without cover, you’d have to pay vet costs yourself. These can be expensive – in October 2025 the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) found that vets’ prices have risen at nearly twice the rate of inflation.
You might not need pet insurance if you are confident you have enough money to pay large vet bills yourself.
How does pet insurance work?
With pet insurance, you pay a monthly or annual premium to your insurance provider. In return, your pet will be covered for vet treatment if they becomes ill or injured.
Policies typically have limits on how much you can claim and/or how long for. You might also need to pay an excess or contribution when you make a pet insurance claim.
As well as vets' fees, insurance can also cover things such as:
cattery or kennel fees if you need care for your pet while you are in hospital
the costs of recovering a lost pet
third-party liability for dogs
euthanasia and cremation/burial costs
Pet insurance does not normally cover routine treatment such as neutering, vaccinations, microchipping, or worming.
Do I need to take out pet insurance?
It’s not a legal requirement in the UK to have pet insurance – but it is a good idea. Vets' fees can be very expensive for even routine conditions and long courses of healthcare can cost hundreds or thousands of pounds if you don’t have cover.
Is dog insurance worth it?
Dog insurance can be worth it, especially if you have a younger dog. Buying pet insurance for a puppy will ensure that most of their health problems are covered as long as you keep up with your premiums.
Despite being more expensive, pet insurance for older dogs can still be worth the cost. For example, a policy could cover your dog for conditions that dogs are at greater risk of when they get older such as osteoarthritis, heart problems, or cancer.
Dog insurance can also include third party liability cover, in case your dog injures someone or damages property.
Costs vary depending on your pet’s breed - some dog breeds are much more expensive to insure than others.
Is cat insurance worth it?
Cats are normally cheaper to insure than dogs and cat insurance will usually cover accidents and illnesses. Cats that roam outside can be more prone to accidents than dogs – however, you won’t need third-party liability for a cat.
What animals can I get pet insurance for?
As well as cats and dogs, you can buy rabbit insurance and pet insurance for horses.
Other more exotic pets can be covered too, although you might need to go to a specialist insurance company.
What should pet insurance cover?
When choosing a pet insurance policy, it’s important to understand exactly what it should cover so you’re protected against unexpected costs.
While every policy is different, most good policies include core medical needs such as illness and injury treatment, with optional extras available depending on your pet’s lifestyle and your budget. Knowing what’s commonly covered - and what’s only included on certain plans - can help you pick the right level of protection.
The following are commonly covered on pet insurance:
Accidents and injuries
Short-term illnesses
Diagnostic tests (blood tests, X-rays, scans)
Surgery and hospitalisation
Prescription medication
Emergency treatment
Third-party liability (dogs only)
The following are sometimes covered by pet insurance:
Dental treatment (usually only for accidents)
Chronic conditions
Behavioural therapy
Complementary therapies (physio, hydrotherapy, acupuncture)
Prescription food
Travel cover or overseas vet bills
Death, loss or theft of your pet
Boarding fees if you’re hospitalised
A payout if your pet dies due to illness or accident
How much does pet insurance cost?
Pet policies are usually paid monthly, though some people choose to pay annually (which can sometimes be cheaper).
MoneySuperMarket figures show that the average pet insurance premium in 2025 is about £10.49
This table shows average monthly premiums for various types of pet.
Pet Type | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
Dog | £14.55 |
Puppy | £10.65 |
Cat | £8 |
Kitten | £6.92 |
Pet with pre-existing conditions | £12.88 |
Some insurers offer discounted multi-pet insurance if you have more than one pet.
Is pet insurance more expensive for older pets?
Yes, pet insurance can become expensive over time, particularly as your pet gets older or develops ongoing health conditions.
This is because insurers view older animals as higher risk - age naturally increases the chances of illness, injuries, and chronic diseases. As a result, premiums typically rise at renewal each year to reflect the increased likelihood of claims.
Costs can also increase if your pet develops a long-term condition such as arthritis, diabetes, skin allergies, or heart problems. Once these issues appear, the insurer expects to cover repeat medication, tests, and monitoring, so monthly premiums and excesses often go up.
Some policies also add a ‘co-payment’ for older pets, meaning you pay a percentage of each claim as well as the fixed excess.
What are the different types of pet insurance?
There are four different types of pet insurance. Which one is best for you and your pet will depend on various factors including the type of pet you have, its age, and your financial situation.
Some policies only cover very limited circumstances, while all policies will have a cap on how much the policy will pay towards vet’s bills.
The different types of pet insurance are:
Accident only
Accident-only policies only cover vets’ bills resulting from accidents – illnesses are not covered. These policies are unlikely to include many other perks included in more comprehensive plans.
Maximum benefit
This type of policy covers injuries or illnesses up to a specified limit per condition. Once that limit is reached, the condition is no longer covered.
Time-limited
With a time-limited pet insurance policy, there is a fixed amount you can claim for each condition, as well as a time restriction, typically set at 12 months. Once this period expires or you hit the cost cap, you can’t claim for that condition again.
Lifetime cover
A lifetime policy is the most comprehensive type of policy, covering vet bills related to injury or illness up to an annual limit. This limit is then reset each year as long as you renew the policy. This type of pet insurance offers consistent cover throughout your pet's life – but it’s also the most expensive.
The cost of pet insurance depends on the type, age, and health of your pet, as well as the type of policy you choose. Lifetime policies are most expensive, while accident-only cover is the cheapest.
MoneySuperMarket figures show that pet owners typically pay:
Pet Insurance Policy Type | Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
Accident only | £3.95 |
Time limited | £12.87 |
Maximum benefit | £16.02 |
Lifetime | £12.78 |
If you add a higher excess to your policy, you can make your pet insurance more affordable. However, it’s important to choose an excess amount that you could afford in the event of a claim.
How does lifetime pet insurance work?
Lifetime pet insurance is the most expensive type of pet insurance but if bought when your pet is young and healthy, it can be worthwhile in the long run.
With lifetime pet insurance you can make repeat claims for the same condition during your pet’s lifetime, as long as the policy is in place. You will need to renew it each year. So, if your pet is diagnosed with a chronic condition after your policy has been put in place, you can continually use your lifetime pet insurance to pay for treatment, medication, and therapies.
Can I add optional extras to pet insurance?
Yes, you can add optional extras to pet insurance.
Optional extras that can be added to your pet insurance policy include:
Pet travel insurance: Covers vet bills abroad and holiday cancellations.
Pet dental cover: Covers emergency dental treatments.
Third-party liability: Useful for accidents caused by pets.
Death benefit: Helps cover the cost of a pet's death or getting a new pet.
Can I insure a pet with a pre-existing condition?
Yes, you can insure a pet with a pre-existing condition — but the options and level of cover are more limited.
Most standard pet insurance policies don’t cover any illness or injury your pet had before the policy start date. This includes conditions your pet has recovered from but may recur.
These types of cover might be available if your pet has a pre-existing condition:
Policies that exclude the pre-existing condition
You can still insure your pet for any new illnesses or injuries that occur in the future. Most insurers offer this.
Time-limited cover for past conditions
Some insurers will cover a pre-existing condition only if your pet has been symptom-free for a set period (often 24 months). This is sometimes called a “historic condition.”
Specialist pre-existing condition policies
A few insurers offer dedicated pre-existing conditions pet insurance plans for pets already managing long-term problems. These may cover ongoing treatment, but they’re usually more expensive and come with higher excesses or co-payments.
What are common exclusions on pet insurance?
The following are usually stated as exclusions on pet insurance:
Pre-existing conditions
Routine check-ups
Neutering or spaying
Elective or cosmetic procedures
Breeding, pregnancy, or birth-related care
Behavioural training or therapy (varies by insurer)
Dental disease
Experimental/alternative treatments
Grooming and cosmetic maintenance
Food, supplements, and prescription diets
Injuries from neglect, abuse, or illegal activities
How do I find the right pet policy for me?
At MoneySuperMarket, we help you to compare pet insurance quotes all in one convenient place.
Ready to save on your pet insurance? Or need to know more before you get a quote? We’re here to help.
Author
Emma Lunn
Personal finance expert
Emma has written about personal finance for almost 20 years, with a career spanning several recessions and their inevitable consequences. Emma’s main focus is helping people learn to manage their...
Reviewer
Beth Leslie
Senior Insurance Content Editor
Beth is an experienced writer and editor who specialises in financial and economic content. She is currently the Senior Insurance Content Editor for MoneySuperMarket. Beth is passionate about making...
