Does pet insurance cover vaccinations?

Key takeaways

• The cost of vaccinating your pet isn’t usually covered by pet insurance

• Keeping your pet’s vaccinations up to date can lead to lower premiums and ensure cover for other treatments

• After initial vaccinations, booster shots should be given annually

• Maintain vaccinations as pets age, especially for senior pets

When should my pet be vaccinated? 

Most pets, including kittens and puppies, should have their first vaccinations between five and ten weeks old. 

After your pet’s first vaccinations they will need booster jabs yearly for protection against most diseases. Some jabs have a longer time between boosters.  

Why should my pet be vaccinated? 

Vaccinations protect your pet against common and harmful illness and diseases. Most pets should get their vaccinations while they are young, and are expected to have annual boosters to top up their immunity.  

Vaccinations will protect your pet from highly contagious diseases such as respiratory tract infections and canine distemper. They also protect your pet against transmissible diseases such as rabies, that not only pose a big threat to themselves, but also to humans.  

Does pet insurance cover vaccinations?  

Vaccinations are not covered by pet insurance, along with neutering and spaying. The cost of your pet’s vaccinations can vary depending on the type of pet you have and which vaccines you need. 

Similar to having your pet neutered, having your pet’s vaccinations all up to date will make you eligible for lower insurance premiums, as your pet will be less likely to get ill and need treatment due to any diseases that the vaccines prevent.

If your pet contracts an illness or disease that could have been prevented with a vaccine, your insurance provider is unlikely to cover the expenses to treat your pet.  

Can my pet insurance be void if my pet is not vaccinated? 

You can get pet insurance without having your pets vaccinated, but this will leave you susceptible to higher premiums, as well as putting your pet at risk of contracting diseases.

Your insurance policy is also unlikely to cover any costs relating to any illnesses or diseases that could have been avoided with the appropriate vaccine.  

Will a vaccine protect my pet?  

In most cases, a vaccination is the best chance to protect your pet against diseases that could be fatal.

Vaccines are not 100% effective, so there is a chance your pet can contract a disease and get ill after it has been immunised. But if this happens, the vaccine will mean your pet can tolerate and deal with the disease better than if they weren’t vaccinated.  

A vaccine will significantly reduce the risk of your pet contracting these diseases.  

Is vaccinating my pet dangerous?  

Vaccinations are a great way to give your pet immunity against the worst infectious diseases that could otherwise be fatal to your pet.  

Vaccination reactions are quite rare in dogs and cats however, any reactions are usually quite mild and short-term, and those reactions are usually good indicators that the vaccine is effectively stimulating your pet's immune system.  

Do I need to vaccinate my older pet?

It's important to keep your pet’s vaccinations up to date throughout their entire lives, especially when they start to become a senior pet (usually dogs over 8 years old).

This is important for older pets as they're more susceptible to health issues and may find it difficult to effectively fight infections like younger pets do. 

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