Can I get pet insurance for an older dog?
Key takeaways
Pet insurance for older dogs is usually more expensive than for younger pets
Insurers normally consider dogs ‘senior’ or old when they reach 8-years-old
Some insurers might insist on a co-payment arrangement for an older dog
Accident-only cover will be the cheapest option for older dogs, and a lifetime policy will be the most expensive.
Can I insure my older dog?
Yes, you should be able to find pet insurance for your older dog. However, it can be more expensive than insuring young pups because your dog is more likely to develop medical conditions as it ages.
How old is a ‘senior’ dog for dog insurance?
Most pet insurers consider a dog to be a senior at around 7 to 8-years-old. But this can vary depending on the breed and size:
Smaller breeds (e.g. terriers ): often considered senior at 8–10 years
Larger breeds (e.g. Labradors or Great Danes): may be classed as senior from 6–7 years
Once a dog is seen as senior, insurance can become more expensive. Some insurers may limit new policies or cover options.
📣 Did you know? Some insurers may have an upper age limit for starting a new policy. Insurers might insist on a co-payment arrangement once your dog reaches a certain age.
Why are older dogs more expensive to insure?
Senior dogs cost more to insure because they are more likely to get sick or hurt than younger dogs. Older dogs may need more vet visits, medicine, or special care.
Senior dogs may suffer from chronic conditions such as gum disease, deafness, cancer, blindness, dementia, kidney disease, or arthritis.
This makes them more expensive for insurance companies to cover.
What are pre-existing conditions?
A pre-existing medical condition is a health problem your dog had before you bought dog insurance.
Most pet insurance plans do not cover pre-existing conditions. This means they won’t pay for treatment related to them.
As your dog ages, it is more likely to have a pre-existing condition.
What are common exclusions on older dog insurance?
✖️ Pre-existing health conditions
✖️ Routine or preventative treatments like vaccinations, check-ups, neutering, or dental care.
✖️ Kennel or boarding fees
How do I choose the right level of cover for my senior dog?
The level of cover and type of policy you choose will determine what your pet insurance covers.
Accident only
Accident-only pet insurance is the cheapest option. It only pays for veterinary treatment if your pet gets hurt in an accident. This could be things like broken bones, cuts, or if your pet gets hit by a car.
It does not cover illnesses or regular check-ups.
Time-limited
Time-limited pet insurance covers vet bills for an illness or injury, but only for a set amount of time. Usually, this is for 12 months from when your pet first gets sick or hurt.
After that time ends, the insurance won’t pay for treatment for that same problem again. Time-limited pet insurance helps with short-term costs but doesn’t cover long-term health issues.
Maximum benefit
Maximum benefit pet insurance pays for vet bills up to a set amount for each illness or injury. Once you reach that maximum amount, the insurance won’t pay more for that problem.
After you use all the money for one problem, you have to pay any more costs yourself.
Lifetime cover
Lifetime pet insurance helps pay vet bills for your pet’s illnesses and injuries for their whole life. As long as you renew the policy every year, a lifetime policy will keep covering long-term or chronic conditions.
Lifetime insurance usually costs more, but it gives the most comprehensive cover. It’s good if your dog needs treatment for the same health problem over many years. Some lifetime policies also include third party liability in case your pet injures someone or causes damage to property.
Does pet insurance have age limits?
Yes, some pet insurance policies have an age limit. But some insurers cover pets of any age.
Your insurer will ask your dog’s age when you take out a policy.
What are the key considerations when insuring my older dog?
When purchasing pet insurance for your furry friend, it’s crucial to consider various factors such as the type of cover, the excess amount, and any policy extras.
Some dog insurance policies offer additional extras to your policy such as:
bereavement counselling if your pet passes away
third party liability
rewards for lost or stolen dogs
What is co-payment?
A pet insurance co-payment is an additional cost you pay, on top of the excess, when making a claim. It's usually a percentage of the vet bill after the excess has been deducted.
Some insurers will insist on co-payment once your dog reaches a certain age.
How does co-payment work?
With co-payment, you pay the fixed excess (a set amount you pay per claim), and then you also pay a percentage of the remaining cost of the vet bill.
For example, say your excess is £100, the vet bill is £500, and your co-payment is 20%. This means you'd pay £100 + £80 (20% of £400). This equals £180.
Co-payments can help keep premiums lower, especially for older dogs who are more likely to require treatment.
📣 Did you know? While co-payments can lower your initial premium, they mean you'll pay more out-of-pocket each time you file a claim.
What is pet insurance renewal?
You will need to renew your pet insurance each year to keep your dog insured.
Check the policy details, including the excess and co-payment when you renew. Increasing the excess may lead to cheaper premiums.
How much does it cost to insure an older dog?
It costs an average of £25.51
Pet insurance for older dogs typically costs much more than for younger dogs. This is due to increased health risks and potential medical needs.
Age | Monthly average price | Monthly price from |
|---|---|---|
Under 1 | £9.49 | £4.23 |
1-2 years old | £9.48 | £4.78 |
3-4 years old | £12.07 | £6.06 |
4-5 years old | £14.76 | £7.87 |
6-7 years old | £18.11 | £9.31 |
Over 7 years old | £25.51 | £12.89 |
But while insurance for an older dog may be more expensive than a puppy, it will usually be cheaper than paying for vet bills, prescriptions, and medical treatment yourself.
What impacts the price of older dog pet insurance?
How much it will cost to insure your dog depends on:
Age
Breed
Pre-existing conditions
Medical history
Type of policy
Excess and co-payment
Location
💡 Top tip: If you have more than one dog, insuring your pet under a multi-pet policy can allow you to access discounts.
For more pet insurance pricing information, visit our dedicated pet insurance statistics page.
How can I find affordable dog insurance?
To find more affordable insurance options for older dogs, use MoneySuperMarket. to compare policies and prices. You can compare quotes from our leading panel of providers and insure all your pets on one policy to get a multi-pet discount. Always check the excess levels and policy exclusions to ensure the policy provides the right protection.
Author
Lauren Chong
Senior Commercial Manager | Vet
Dr Lauren Chong BSc BVSc PgCertVBM MRCVS is MoneySuperMarket’s pet expert with an extensive background of working across the veterinary and pet care industry for the past 12 years. She qualified as a...
Reviewer
Emma Lunn
Personal finance expert
Emma has written about personal finance for almost 20 years, with a career spanning several recessions and their inevitable consequences. Emma’s main focus is helping people learn to manage their...
