Lifetime cover
Protects your pet for life, as long as the policy is renewed each year.
📍 84%[11] of customers choose lifetime pet insurance
German Shepherd pet insurance
Compare German Shepherd insurance.
Quotes from £4.17[1]
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Do I need German Shepherd pet insurance?
Pet insurance is not a legal requirement in the UK. But it can financially protects you if your German Shepherd is hurt or involved in an incident.
German Shepherd insurance can cover costs in the following situations:
Your German Shepherd is ill, injured, or needs to be put down
Your German Shepherd is lost or stolen
Your German Shepherd harms someone or their property (including their pets)
How much is German Shepherd dog insurance?
Are german shepherds expensive to insure?
German Shepherds are more expensive than average to insure. This is because German Shepherds dogs are more likely to develop certain health conditions which are expensive to treat.
Pet insurers may also charge more for pedigree breeds like German Shepherds because they cost more to replace and are more attractive to thieves.
The average cost of dog insurance is £12.33[7] a month. German Shepherds insurance, in contrast, costs an average of £15.08[5] a month.
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%[8] more for their pet insurance. A pet that has had complaints made about it will cost its owners 6.34%[8] 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%[8] on average.
You can find much bigger savings of up to 40.41%[9] by selecting an accident-only insurance policy, but you will get much more limited cover.
What type of German Shepherd insurance should I get?
There are four main types of German Shepherd pet insurance:
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Maximum benefit
Sets limits on how much you can claim for any given illness or injury.
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Time limited cover
Covers your pet for a specific period of time (usually 12 months).
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Accident only cover
The cheapest option, but it only covers accidents, not illnesses.
📍 Accident only policies are 40.41%[9] cheaper on average
What is the most common pet insurance claim for German Shepherds?
These are the 5 most common claims made on German Shepherd pet insurance, according to The Insurance Emporium.
Will my pet insurance cover all these illnesses and accidents?
Accident-only policies protect against injuries like a fractured bone, but they won’t cover illnesses such as a bone disease. So if your German Shepherd developed osteoarthritis, you’d be facing an average cost of £186[10] yourself.
Time-limited and maximum benefit policies do include illness cover, though only up to a fixed time or financial limit. After that, chronic and recurring conditions like arthritis won’t be covered. This could leave you paying repeated costs of £180[10] out of pocket.
Lifetime policies renew the vet fee allowance each year, meaning you can continue claiming for ongoing conditions. The drawback is premiums typically rise annually, and moving to a new insurer means existing conditions won’t be covered.
What does German Shepherd insurance cover?
Cover varies by provider and policy, so always check your insurance documents.
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Typically covered
✔ Vet billse.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
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Not typically covered
✖ Routine care e.g. pet vaccinations, boosters, regular check-ups
✖ Routine dental treatment including routine check-ups
✖ Fleas and worming
✖ 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 if my German Shepherd 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 German Shepherd is aggressive?
Yes, pet insurers will usually still cover your german shepherd if they sometimes bite or otherwise act aggressively. But you will probably have to pay higher insurance premiums.
What health issues do German Shepherds have?
German Shepherd dogs are prone to getting the following medical issues:
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
Bloat (Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus)
Degenerative Myelopathy
Eye Problems
Are German Shepherds an aggressive dog breed?
German Shepherds are not inherently aggressive. They do have a natural protective nature so early socialisation, constant training and sufficient exercise will ensure a well-behaved companion.
Only 0.7%[15] of German Shepherd owners report that their german shepherd showed signs of aggression such as tacking or biting other people or pets.
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[16] in 2024. That's significantly higher than the average annual cost of cover for a dog (£165.43[17]) or cat (£81.48[18]).
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
Frequently Asked Questions
Do German Shepherds make good family pets?
German Shepherds can make excellent family pets. They are intelligent, protective and make very affectionate and loyal companions. As with any breed, especially larger breeds, they do require a lot of exercise and mental stimulation to prevent any boredom and stave off any behavioural issues.
What is the life expectancy of a German Shepherd?
The average life expectancy for a German Shepherd is 9-13. Dependancies include genetics, diet and any underlying health issues
Do I need to get my German Shepard 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 German Shepherds shed?
Yes, German Shepherds have seasonal coat changes. Regular grooming, including brushing and bathing, can help manage shedding and keep the coat healthy.
Do German Shepherds get along with cats?
Although not guaranteed, German Shepherds can generally get along with cats. A proper introduction from a young age and consistent training is advised.
Compare pet insurance quotes from the UK's leading insurers
We compare quotes from 37[19] of the most trusted providers, so you can easily compare cover level, vet fee limits, excess and price.
What information do I need to get a pet insurance quote?
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Pet’s age
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Pet's breed or size
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Pet's cost
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Pet's behavioural history
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Pet's medical history
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Pet's health*
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Reviewed on 23 Sep 2026
Sources and supporting information
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[1]
Based on the 10th percentile of monthly premiums our customers were quoted per month for dog insurance based on quotes created on MoneySuperMarket between June 2026 and August 2026 where only 1 pet was included in the quote.
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[2]
SuperSaveClub restrictions and T&Cs apply. Click here for details.
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[3]
YouGov Survey 1st July 2024 to 30th June 2025. Net Recommend score derived from “Which of the following online service websites would you recommend to a friend or colleague, or tell them to avoid?” Base: Current Customers of (MoneySuperMarket n=18,382, Compare the Market n=16,802, Go.Compare n=10,162, Confused.com n=8,229, Uswitch n=528).
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[4]
Based on the minimum monthly premium our customers were quoted per month for dog insurance based on quotes created on MoneySuperMarket between June 2026 and August 2026 where only 1 pet was included in the quote.
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[5]
Based on the 51st percentile of monthly premiums our customers were quoted per month for dog insurance based on quotes created on MoneySuperMarket between June 2026 and August 2026 where only 1 pet was included in the quote.
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[6]
Based on the average amount paid or donate for dog insurance based on quotes created on MoneySuperMarket between June 2026 and August 2026.
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[7]
Based on the 51 percentile of monthly premiums our customers were quoted less than £12.33 per month for dog insurance based on quotes created on MoneySuperMarket in the month of August 2026 where only 1 pet was included in the quote and the pet didnt have pre-existing medical conditions
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[8]
Based on Pet Insurance enquiries on MoneySuperMarket between 2025-01-01 and 2025-04-01 where the quote was for all covertype.
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[9]
Based on Pet Insurance enquiries on MoneySuperMarket between 2026-04-01 and 2026-07-01 where the quote was for all covertype.
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[10]
Based on the Insurance Emporium's claims data, January-June 2026
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[11]
Percentage of sold polices where the user searched for a covertype of LIFETIME. Using Moneysupermarket policies sold between June 2026 and August 2026.
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[12]
Based on The Insurance Emporium's claims data, January to December 2025
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[13]
Based on The Insurance Emporium’s unique claims data, January-December 2025. Unique claims represent the total average cost per illness or condition from start to finish, including all payments made for that issue.
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[14]
Based on The Insurance Emporium’s claims data, January-December 2025. Unique claims represent the total average cost per illness or condition from start to finish, including all payments made for that issue.
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[15]
Based on the volume of dog insurance quotes created on MoneySuperMarket between September 2024 and August 2026.
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[16]
Source: Association of British Insurers (ABI), 2025, 'Insurance payouts for ‘pawly’ pets top £1 billion for third year in a row' https://www.abi.org.uk/news/news-articles/2025/5/insurance-payouts-for-pawly-pets-top-1-billion-for-third-year-in-a-row/
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[17]
Based on the median annual premium our customers were quoted per month for dog insurance based on quotes created on MoneySuperMarket between June 2026 and August 2026 where only 1 pet was included in the quote and more less than 1 year old.
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[18]
Based on the median annual premium our customers were quoted per month for cat insurance based on quotes created on MoneySuperMarket between June 2026 and August 2026 where only 1 pet was included in the quote and more less than 1 year old.
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[19]
Accurate as of 18 September 2026.
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[20]
T&Cs and restrictions apply, see here for more information
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[21]
T&Cs apply, click here for more information
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[22]
Based on 1 visit per month – average ticket value £15.30 (Oct 24)
