Is it worth having pet insurance for older dogs?

Key takeaways

• Pet insurance can still be worth it for older dogs, but prices are usually higher than for younger dogs

• Dogs over seven had a typical monthly quote of £22.69^{^} , compared with £9.33^{^} for dogs under one

• Check any age rules, vet fee limits, excess payments, co-payment requirements and exclusions before buying cover

Is pet insurance worth it for older dogs?

Pet insurance can be worth it for older dogs if you want help paying unexpected vet bills. Older dogs are more likely to need treatment for illness, injury or long-term conditions, which can make insurance more expensive, but it may still cost less than paying large vet bills yourself.

Insurance will not cover everything - pre-existing conditions are not usually covered by standard policies, so check any exclusions before you buy.

What age is an older dog for insurance?

For insurance, dogs over seven are often treated as older pets, but each insurer can set its own age rules. Dog age can also depend on size and breed - PDSA says dogs are considered senior at around seven on average, but this can vary depending on breed, size and overall health.

• Smaller breeds (e.g. terriers) are 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, and some insurers may limit new policies or cover options.

How much is pet insurance for older dogs?

Pet insurance for dogs over seven can start from £9.79^{^} a month, while the typical monthly quote is £22.69^{^} . MoneySuperMarket data shows that the cost of pet insurance for older dogs can be more than twice as much as for puppies.

Why is insurance more expensive for older dogs?

Older dog insurance usually costs more because older dogs are more likely to need vet treatment. As dogs age, they may be more likely to develop conditions that need tests, medication, surgery or repeat vet visits, which can make them a higher risk for insurers.

What else affects the cost of insurance for older dogs?

The price you pay can also depend on:

• Your dog’s breed: Some breeds are more likely to develop certain health conditions

• Your dog’s medical history: Previous illness or injury can affect cover and price

• Where you live: Vet costs can vary by area

• The policy type: Broader cover usually costs more than basic cover

• Your excess: A higher excess may lower your premium, but claims will cost more

• Co-payment: Some older dog policies ask you to pay a percentage of each claim

What types of pet insurance can I get for an older dog?

You can usually choose from accident-only, time-limited, maximum benefit and lifetime cover.

Accident-only cover

Accident-only cover can help with treatment if your dog is injured in an accident, but it will not usually cover illness. It is often the cheapest option, but may leave older dogs with less protection.

Time-limited cover

Time-limited cover can pay towards each new illness or injury for a set period, usually 12 months. After that, the condition is usually excluded.

Maximum benefit cover

Maximum benefit cover gives you a fixed amount to claim for each illness or injury. There is usually no time limit, but once the money limit is used up, that condition is no longer covered.

Lifetime cover

Lifetime cover can cover ongoing conditions as long as they started after the policy began and you keep renewing each year. It is often one of the broader options, but it can cost more than basic cover.

What cover should I consider for an older dog?

For an older dog, illness cover is often more useful than accident-only cover, as while accident-only policies are usually cheaper, they do not normally cover illness. This can be a major gap for older dogs, as many age-related health problems are illnesses rather than accidents.

You may want to check whether the policy includes:

• Vet fees for illness and injury

• Ongoing condition cover

• Diagnostic tests, such as blood tests, X-rays or scans

• Surgery

• Prescription medication

• Dental accident or illness cover

• Emergency treatment

• Euthanasia cover

• Third-party liability

• Advertising or reward costs if your dog goes missing

Always check the vet fee limit - this is the maximum amount your insurer will pay towards eligible treatment.

Can I get cover if my older dog has a pre-existing condition?

Yes, but you may need specialist pre-existing condition pet insurance. A pre-existing condition is an illness, injury or symptom your dog had before the policy started, and standard pet insurance usually excludes these conditions, even if you declare them.

For example, if your dog already has arthritis, diabetes or heart disease, a standard policy may cover new unrelated problems but not treatment linked to that existing condition. Specialist pre-existing condition cover can be more expensive, so compare the policy limit, waiting period and exclusions carefully.

What is a co-payment?

A co-payment is a percentage of the claim that you pay on top of your excess. For example, if your excess is £100, your vet bill is £500 and your co-payment is 20%, you would pay the £100 excess plus 20% of the remaining £400 - that means you'd pay £180 in total.

Some insurers add co-payments when dogs reach a certain age - this can reduce the monthly premium, but it means you pay more when you claim.

Does pet insurance have age limits?

Yes, some pet insurance policies have age limits, especially for new policies. An insurer may:

• Stop offering new policies after a certain age

• Limit which types of cover are available

• Add a co-payment once your dog reaches a certain age

• Increase the excess at renewal

• Change the premium as your dog gets older

Some insurers cover dogs of any age, so compare policies rather than assuming your dog is too old to insure.

What do I need to get an older dog insurance quote?

To get a quote, you’ll usually need to provide some basic information about your dog and the cover you want - you’ll usually need to tell insurers:

• Your dog’s age

• Your dog’s breed

• Whether your dog has been neutered or spayed

• Your dog’s medical history

• Any pre-existing conditions

• Your postcode

• The level of cover you want

How do I compare older dog insurance with MoneySuperMarket?

MoneySuperMarket lets you compare older dog insurance quotes from different insurers in one place. Once you enter your details, you can see how policies differ in price, cover level and key features.

Comparing quotes side by side can make it easier to check the vet fee limit, excess, co-payment and policy type before you buy. This can help you find cover that suits both your dog's needs and your budget.