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PET INSURANCE BY BREED

Find pet insurance for different cat and dog breeds

  • Protect your pet from just £7.08[3] a month

  • Quickly compare quotes from 37[1] pet insurers

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How does my pet's breed impact insurance costs?

As a general rule, the bigger your pet is the more expensive their insurance will be. There are a couple of reasons for this:

Larger animals often run up higher medical costs - they need more anaesthetic and higher doses of medication and they're more challenging to operate on or treat. They are also more prone to certain health conditions.

Larger animals are also more likely to cause damage to people, property and pets. They may not be more aggressive than small dogs but they can reach higher, have stronger jaws and their heavier weight means they're more likely to hurt or break anything they collide with.

Estrelea Mountain Dog

Chihuahua

Average insurance price

£39.19[4]

£13.22[4]

Certain breeds are more likely to develop specific illnesses. For example, Bulldogs often have respiratory issues and Great Danes can be at a particularly high risk of heart disease.

Pet insurers will charge more to cover animals that are more likely to develop a medical condition, because it is more likely the insurer will have to pay out to cover their treatment.

Pedigree breeds often cost more to insure than mutts and moggies:

Monthly insurance costs

Pedigree

Mongrel / Moggy

Cat

£12.68[5]

£10.30[5]

Dog

£19.59[4]

£13.80[4]

This is because pedigree animals are more susceptible to developing health conditions.

They also generally cost more to buy and therefore have a higher replacement value, and they're more attractive to thieves.

Signs of aggression - such as biting people or other animals - is more common in some dog breeds.

For example 11.1%[6] of Pit Bull Mastiff owners say their dog is sometimes aggressive, while only 0.2%[6] of Golden Retriever owners say the same.

Pet insurers will usually charge more to cover aggressive animals: they are more likely to injure another person or animal so the insurer is more likely to have to pay out to cover costs associated with an attack.

On average, this extra charge is £14.29[7].

The Dangerous Dogs Act is a UK law that makes it illegal to own, sell, breed, give away or abandon the following dog breeds:

  • American XL Bully

  • Dogo Argentino

  • Fila Brasilerio

  • Japanese Tosa

  • Pitbull Terrier

Exceptions can be made if owners of existing dogs can prove to a court that their pet is well behaved. However, you are likely to find it difficult to get insurance for these breeds. Most insurers will not cover them.

Insurers also often will not cover dogs that are mixed with banned breeds. They may cancel your policy if they receive veterinary evidence that your dog has this sort of heritage - even if you weren't aware of it yourself.

White cat and brown dog with their tongues out
Dog insurance average cost
£19
.95[8] a month
Cat insurance average cost
£12
.34[9] a month

What type of pet insurance policy should I get?

Cat and dog under a blanket
  1. 1

    Lifetime cover

    Lifetime pet insurance offers continuous cover over your pet's entire lifespan, as long as you keep paying your premiums. There are typically annual limits on the amount you can claim for any given issue.

  2. 2

    Maximum benefit

    Maximum benefit pet insurance has caps on how much you can claim for any given injury and illness. These do not reset each year as they do with lifetime cover.

  3. 3

    Time limited

    Time-limited pet insurance policies last for a specific amount of time. This is typically 12 months.

  4. 4

    Accident only

    Accident-only pet insurance pays the costs of your pet getting hurt in an sudden or unexpected event. It does not cover illnesses or diseases.

What does pet insurance cover?

Cover varies by provider and policy, so always check your insurance documents.

  • Typically covered

    Vet bills e.g. medicines, therapies and prescriptions

    Hospital visits

    Diagnosing illnesses e.g. consultations, X-rays, MRIs

    Dental treatment

    Alternative therapies e.g. hydrotherapy or acupuncture

    Euthanasia

    Lost and stolen pets e.g. advertising, rewards, cost of animal

    Third party liability cover e.g. your dog harms someone or their property

    Emergency boarding fees e.g. while you are hospitalised

  • Not typically covered

    Pre-existing conditions

    Routine care e.g. pet vaccinations, boosters, regular check-ups

    Routine dental treatment including routine check-ups

    Fleas and worming

    Neutering or spaying

    Elective or cosmetic treatments

    Cremation and burial

    Training and obedience classes

    Banned breeds or dog breeds classed as dangerous

    Unvaccinated or unmicrochipped animals

Can I get pet insurance for pre-existing conditions?

Yes. You can cover most pre-existing conditions if you take out specialist pet insurance. These policies will almost certainly be pricier than standard policies.

Dog treats
Average cost of pre-existing condition pet insurance
£12
.88[10] a month

Our expert says…

While opting for a cheaper pet insurance policy might save you a few pounds a month, it's crucial to consider what the policy covers and the actual cost of veterinary care if your pet gets sick. According to the ABI, the average claim in the UK was £668[11] in 2023, almost 50% higher than the average cost of a policy. Consulting your vet about potential conditions and their costs can help you choose the right coverage for your pet.

Lauren Chong Pet Insurance Expert & Registered Vet

What animals can you get pet insurance for?

Compare pet insurance quotes from the UK's leading insurance providers

We compare quotes from 37[1] of the most trusted providers, so you can easily compare cover level, vet fee limits, excess and price.

ManyPetsanimal-friends-v2healthy-pets-v2jlewis-pet-insurance-logo-v2sainsburys-v2tesco insurance

What information do I need to get a pet insurance quote?

  • Plus

    Pet’s age

  • Plus

    Pet's breed or size

  • Plus

    Pet's cost

  • Plus

    Pet's behavioural history

  • Plus

    Pet's medical history

  • Plus

    Pet's health*

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Your pet's age is a major factor in pet insurance. Younger pets are generally healthier and less likely to need expensive veterinary care, so their premiums will be lower. Older pets are more likely to develop health problems, so their premiums will be higher.

Yes, you can usually get cover that starts immediately. However, there is likely to be a waiting period before you can make a claim. This is typically 48 hours for accidents and 14 days for illnesses.

Yes, you will almost certainly have to pay an excess (a pre-set contribution to the costs) every time you claim on your pet insurance. Some insurers will ask you to pay a flat fee for the excess, whereas others will ask for a flat fee plus a percentage of the remaining cost. Check your policy for more details. 

Setting a higher excess can bring your premiums down, but will make claims less affordable.

Yes, you can get multi-pet insurance, where all your pets are covered under one policy.

Multi-pet insurance can make it easier to manage your pet cover. It can also be cheaper, because many insurers offer discounts if you cover more than one animal on the same policy.

Call your insurer’s claims department with your policy number, details of what happened to your pet and the vet fees you were charged or quoted. If your pet is already being treated, you'll also need to provide the details of the condition and the treatment required.

Once you fill in a claim form and provide your insurer with all the necessary documentation to support your claim, your insurer will review your claim. 

It is usually cheaper to pay for pet insurance annually rather than monthly. This is because most insurers offer a discount for paying upfront.

Pet insurance can financially protect you from paying some very big bills. Veterinary treatment is often expensive, especially if your pet develops a chronic condition. With insurance in place you will not have to worry about whether you can afford to give your pet all the treatment it needs if it becomes ill or injured.

Pet insurance can also protect you if your pet harms someone or their property (including their pets). As a pet owner, you are responsible for any damage your animal causes - and even the best-behaved pets can be unpredictable.

Talk to your veterinarian about your financial situation. Some vets offer credit plans and are able to work with you to accommodate your situation, others may refer you to a less expensive vet facility.  

You can also shop around for medicines: you do not have to buy them through your vet.

Several charities also help lower-income households with some of their vet bills. The RSPCA, the Blue Cross, Dogs Trust and Cat Protection all run these sort of schemes.

Accurate as of 20 May 2025.

SuperSaveClub restrictions and T&Cs apply. Click here for details.

Based on the 10 percentile of monthly premiums our customers were quoted less than £7.08 for pet insurance based on quotes created on MoneySuperMarket in the month of April 2025 where only 1 pet was included in the quote.

Based on the 51st percentile of monthly premiums our customers were quoted per month for dog insurance based on quotes created on MoneySuperMarket between February 2025 and April 2025 where only 1 pet was included in the quote.

Based on the 51st percentile of monthly premiums our customers were quoted per month for cat insurance based on quotes created on MoneySuperMarket between February 2025 and April 2025 where only 1 pet was included in the quote.

Based on the volume of dog insurance quotes created on MoneySuperMarket between February 2025 and April 2025.

Based on Pet Insurance enquiries on MoneySuperMarket between 2025-01-01 and 2025-04-01 where the quote was for all covertype.

Based on the 51 percentile of monthly premiums our customers were quoted less than £19.95 per month for dog insurance based on quotes created on MoneySuperMarket in the month of April 2025 where only 1 pet was included in the quote and the pet didnt have pre-existing medical conditions

Based on the 51 percentile of monthly premiums our customers were quoted less than £12.34 per month for cat insurance based on quotes created on MoneySuperMarket in the month of April 2025 where only 1 pet was included in the quote and the pet didnt have pre-existing medical conditions

Based on the 51 percentile of monthly premiums our customers were quoted less than £12.88 for pet insurance based on quotes created on MoneySuperMarket in the month of April 2024 where only 1 pet was included in the quote and the pet did have a pre-existing medical conditions

ABI data 2023

T&Cs and restrictions apply, see here for more information

T&Cs apply, click here for more information

Based on 1 visit per month – average ticket value £15.30 (Oct 24)

T&Cs and restrictions apply, see here for more information