Compare Border Terrier pet insurance from £3.96

Do I need Border Terrier pet insurance?

Pet insurance is not a legal requirement in the UK. But it can financially protects you if your Border Terrier is hurt or involved in an incident.

Border Terrier insurance can cover costs in the following situations:

Your Border Terrier is ill, injured, or needs to be put down
Your Border Terrier is lost or stolen
Your Border Terrier harms someone or their property (including their pets)

Cheapest monthly price

£3

.96^

Average monthly price

£9

.86^

Are Border Terriers expensive to insure?

Border Terriers are generally known for being a hardy breed and therefore typically healthy. This makes them a lower-risk for insurance companies and relatively inexpensive to insure.

The average cost of dog insurance is £13.16^{^} a month. Border Terriers insurance, in comparison, costs an average of a month £9.86^{^}

What impacts the cost of pet insurance?

Some factors that change the price you pay for pet insurance are:

The type of cover you select
Your pet's age
Your pet's breed
If your pet has any history of aggression
If your pet has any pre-existing medical conditions
Your location
Your claim history

On average, owners of aggressive pets pay 8.50%^{^} more for their pet insurance. A pet that has had complaints made about it will cost its owners 6.34%^{^} more.

How can I get cheaper pet insurance?

Some ways to reduce the price of your pet insurance premiums include:

Compare quotes
Select a multi-pet policy
Select an accident-only policy
Maintain your pet's health
Increase your excess
Pay annually
Spay or neuter your pet

Spaying or neutering your pets will reduce your insurance costs by an average of 0.56%^{^} on average.

You can find much bigger savings of up to 44.23%^{^} by selecting an accident-only insurance policy, but you will get much more limited cover.

How much is the average pet insurance claim?

£685^

According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI)

Lifetime cover

Protects your pet for life, as long as the policy is renewed each year.
📍 83%^{^} of customers choose lifetime pet insurance
Maximum benefit

Sets limits on how much you can claim for any given illness or injury.
Time limited cover

Covers your pet for a specific period of time (usually 12 months).
Accident only cover

The cheapest option, but it only covers accidents, not illnesses.
📍 Accident only policies are 44.23%^{^} cheaper on average

Which pet insurance do I need?

Claim type	Claim amount
Diabetes	£150^{^}
Cushing's disease	£429^{^}
Liver Disease	£85^{^}
Arthritis	£289^{^}
Gall bladder issues	£210^{^}

Will my pet insurance cover all these illnesses and accidents?

Accident-only policies cover injuries like broken bones or burns, but they don’t include illnesses such as arthritis. That means if your Border Terrier developed arthritis, you’d be responsible for paying an average of £289^{^} yourself.

Time-limited and maximum benefit policies also cover illnesses, although only for a certain amount of time or up to a maximum value. After that limit is reached, chronic or recurring conditions like diabetes won’t be covered again. This may result in repeated out-of-pocket expenses of £150^{^} .

Lifetime policies refresh the vet fees allowance each year, allowing you to keep claiming for ongoing conditions. The trade-off is that premiums generally increase over time, and moving to a new insurer usually means losing cover for pre-existing conditions.

Typically covered

✔ Vet bills e.g. medicines, treatments and prescriptions
✔ Hospital visits
✔ Diagnosing illnesses e.g. consultations, X-rays, MRIs
✔ Dental treatment for accidents, like breaking a tooth
✔ Alternative therapies e.g. hydrotherapy or acupuncture (when recommended by a vet)
✔ Euthanasia (putting pets down)
✔ Lost and stolen pets e.g. advertising, rewards, refund of purchase price
✔ Third party liability cover e.g. your dog harms someone or their property
✔ Emergency boarding fees e.g. if you are unexpectedly 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

More information

Can I get pet insurance if my Border Terrier has a pre-existing condition?

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.

Can I get pet insurance if my Border Terrier is aggressive?

Yes, pet insurers will usually still cover your Border Terrier if they sometimes bite or otherwise act aggressively. But you will probably have to pay higher insurance premiums.

What health issues do Border Terriers have

Border Terrier dogs are generally seen as a healthy breed but they can be prone to getting the following medical issues:

Joint issues
Eye problems
Heart problems
Allergies

Are Border Terriers an aggressive dog breed?

Border Terriers are generally not considered an aggressive breed. They are know for the affectionate and friendly character.

Border Terriers are typically good family pets as they friendly and good with children.

As with any breed, stimulation, exercise and socialisation is key to maintain a steady temperament.

Our expert says…

While opting for a cheaper pet insurance policy might save you a few pounds a month, it's a good idea to consider what the policy covers and the actual cost of veterinary care if your pet gets sick.
According to the ABI, the average pet insurance claim in the UK was £685^{^} in 2024. That's significantly higher than the average annual cost of cover for a dog (£162^{^} ) or cat (£92.39^{^} ).
And while that’s the average, some conditions can be far more expensive. For example, treatment for elbow dysplasia, a common condition in large dog breeds, can cost over £50,000, according to the ABI.

Lauren Chong Pet Insurance Expert

Do Border Terriers make for good pets?

Border Terriers can make excellent pets, they are affectionate & playful. They would particularly suit an active families who enjoy an outdoorsy lifestyle.

As a terrier they do have a prey drive so they may not be suitable for households with cats or small animals.

What is the life expectancy of a Border Terrier dog?

A healthy Border Terrier can have a typical lifespan of 12-15 years but many have lived to 17 or even 18.

This can vary depending on factors such as genetics, overall health, diet, exercise, and veterinary care.

Do I need to get my Border Terrier microchipped?

Yes. In the UK it is a legal requirement that all dogs are microchipped and registered before they are eight weeks old.

If you do not microchip your dog you can be fined up to £500.

Do Border Terriers bark a lot?

Border Terriers are not know for excessive barking but when they do it is loud. This can be helpful at times as can alert the family to unusual noises and activity in the house and are therefore good watchdogs.

Like with many breeds, Border Terriers will bark more if not exercised sufficiently or spend too much time alone.

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