How much pet insurance cover do I need?

Key takeaways

• Pet insurance can be accident-only, maximum benefit, time-limited, or lifetime cover

• Pet insurance comes with cover limits; the max payout per condition, year or policy

• The average pet insurance claim was £685^{^} in 2024

What are the main types of pet insurance cover?

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, so always check the policy documents carefully to see what’s included (and excluded), while all policies will have a cap on how much the policy will pay towards vet’s bills.

What are the different types of pet insurance?

Video transcript

What are pet insurance cover limits?

Regardless of which type of pet insurance you go for, your policy will almost certainly have cover limits. This is the maximum amount your insurer will pay out. Pet insurance cover limits can apply:

• per condition

• per year

• per policy

For example, you could take out a lifetime dog insurance policy that has a cover limit of £10,000 a year for vet bills, £3,000 for dental treatment, £2,000 for emergency boarding, and £2 million of legal liability.

You can often select different cover limit within your policy. A higher cover limit will be more expensive but give you more financial protection for ongoing or unexpected vet bills, while a lower limit can help keep premiums down but may leave you paying more if your pet needs extensive treatment.

How do I choose the best pet insurance for my dog or cat?

• Always shop around for pet insurance as there can be a significant difference in how much different providers charge. But don’t necessarily buy the cheapest policy – basic pet insurance policies often only offer very limited cover.

• Compare what each policy covers, as well as how much it costs. Lifetime policies offer the most comprehensive cover, but they are also the most expensive. Accident-only policies are much cheaper, but also more basic.

• Vet’s fees are the most important cost your policy should cover. Many policies offer much more, such as emergency kennel and cattery fees, behavioural therapy, pet dental treatments, vet fees abroad, the costs associated with recovering a lost pet, and third-party liability (for dogs).

• Check the policy excess and any co-payment arrangement. Some insurers might insist on a co-payment arrangement where you (the policyholder) agree to pay a proportion of any claim. This will be in addition to the excess levied on all policies. Where possible, set up a specified savings pot to cover the excess and co-payment in the event you need to make a claim.

• Some pet breeds may be more difficult to insure due to the health issues they are likely to face. You might also find it more difficult – or expensive – to insure an older dog or older cat. And you won’t be able to insure any dog breed listed on the Dangerous Dogs Act with mainstream pet insurance.

• You may need to use a specialist insurer if your pet has pre-existing health conditions.

How much does pet insurance cost?

The cost of pet insurance is influenced by several factors. These include:

• The type of pet and its breed

• Your pet’s age and size

• The insurance company

• Any add-ons you want included on the policy

• Your pet’s health and if it has any pre-existing conditions

• Excess and co-payment clauses

• Whether you pay the annual policy upfront in one go or monthly payments

➡️Read more on pet insurance pricing

Do I need pet insurance?

Pet insurance isn’t legally required in the UK, but it can offer peace of mind that most vet’s fees – and various other costs – will be covered in certain scenarios.

Without cover, pet owners might struggle to afford essential or life-saving treatment for their pet, leaving them with tough decisions to make.

Having a comprehensive pet insurance policy can help ensure you can afford to get your pet the medical help it needs, whether it has an accident or suffers from a long-term condition.

There are a variety of pet insurance policies to suit different needs, from basic accident-only cover to lifetime policies which cover a lot more.

📣 Did you know? While vet fees vary considerably, the cost of emergency out of hours treatment can cost between £200 and £300 while the average cost of surgery is £212, according to the Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA).

Is pet insurance worth it?

Pet insurance can seem expensive but skipping cover could be false economy as vet treatment in the UK is very expensive. For example, emergency appointments can cost £100 to £200 and out-of-hours callouts £200 to £300. Treatments, surgery and medication cost even more.

📣 Did you know? In 2024 £1.23 billion was paid out in pet insurance claims, and of that £933 million was paid in dog claims, and £232 million for cats, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI).

The average amount paid per claim was £685^{^} , so this gives a good example of the amount of money you may have to pay out if you don’t have insurance and your pet needs treatment if they are injured or unwell.

Some pet owners might choose to “self-insure” by putting money aside for future vet bills. But this can be risky as even routine treatment or minor injuries can be very expensive to treat. Vaccinations, worming, microchipping and routine dental check-ups won’t be covered by pet insurance, so pet owners will already need to budget for these costs.

Pet insurance can be particularly worthwhile for owners of multiple pets, where veterinary costs can quickly accumulate. Multiple pets can normally be covered on one type of policy.

How can MoneySuperMarket help me to find pet cover?

With so many options, choosing the right pet insurance can feel daunting. That's where MoneySuperMarket comes in, offering a platform to compare policies and shop around for what best suits your pet's needs and your circumstances. By providing quotes from various providers, you can make an informed decision and find a policy that offers peace of mind that you can meet your pet’s needs.

Ready to save on your pet insurance? Or need to know more before you get a quote? We’re here to help.

• Pet insurance

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