Can I claim on my pet insurance if my pet dies?

Key takeaways 

• Pet insurance can cover euthanasia if a vet recommends it because of a severe or terminal illness or injury 

• Some policies include a death benefit that refunds your pet's purchase price

• Cremation, burial and disposal of remains can be covered as an optional benefit, but aren't usually standard cover 

Can I claim on my pet insurance if my pet dies or needs to be put down? 

Yes, many pet insurance policies will cover some of the costs if your pet dies or needs to be put down.  

Your policy may cover: 

• euthanasia costs if your vet recommends putting your pet down 

• eligible vet treatment your pet received before they died 

• some or all of the price you paid for your pet 

• cremation or burial costs 

There can be a lot of variation in how much end-of-life cover pet insurance policies offer. For each of the above types of cover, some policies will include them as standard, some will offer them as an add-on, and some will not offer them at all. Having one of these benefits won't necessarily mean your policy also includes the others.

Across pet insurance policies, end-of-life cover can also have different limits and exclusions, such as the maximum amount you can claim or how old your pet can be.  Check your own policy wording to see what you're actually covered for. 

📣 Did you know? The average cost of euthanasia and cremation for a dog is £252^[1], according to The Insurance Emporium's claims data. For cats, the average cost is £162^[1].

What is pet loss cover? 

Pet loss cover generally refers to insurance benefits that apply if your pet dies, is stolen or goes missing. 

Depending on the policy, this could include a payment towards your pet's purchase price or value, advertising and reward costs for a missing pet, or some end-of-life costs. 

There isn't one standard definition used by every insurer, so check the individual benefits and exclusions of your policy. 

Will pet insurance cover at-home euthanasia? 

If you would prefer for your pet to die in familiar surroundings, it is possible to have a veterinary professional come to your home to put your pet to sleep.  

Because this is generally a more expensive option than having the procedure performed at a vet clinic, it is less common for pet insurance to cover the full cost of at-home euthanasia.

You will often find that policies that would cover euthanasia at a veterinary clinic will allow you to claim back some of the costs if your pet is put to sleep at home, but will deduct the extra charge of the vet travelling to your home.

Can pet insurance cover burial or cremation costs? 

Pet insurance can cover burial or cremation costs. However, these are not commonly included as standard. Instead you would need to pay extra to add them to your policy. The average cost of adding euthanasia and cremation cover to your lifetime pet insurance is £36.75^[2] per year or £4.04^[2] per calendar month, according to The Insurance Emporium.

To be covered, you would usually need to have added this cover before your pet showed any signs of illness. There will also usually be a maximum amount you can claim. It may not be available as an add-on for senior cat or senior dog insurance policies.

📣 Did you know?4.86%^[3] of pet owners who take out bronze, silver or gold lifetime pet insurance policies with The Insurance Emporium add cremation and euthanasia cover.

Will pet insurance cover urns, funeral rites or keepsakes? 

No, pet insurance doesn't usually cover optional memorial costs such as decorative urns, keepsakes, ashes jewellery or funeral ceremonies. You should expect to pay for these yourself if you want them. 

Can pet insurance refund the money I paid for my pet if they die? 

Yes, many pet insurance policies include a death benefit that will refund some or all of the price you paid for your pet if they die from an eligible illness or injury. 

It is common for pet insurance policies that offer this cover to place limits or restrictions linked to your pet's age, particularly for death caused by illness. It is also common for insurers to place limits on the maximum amount you can claim back. 

For example, The Insurance Emporium will pay 75%^[4] of the purchase or adoption price for a neutered pet under the age of 6, and 50%^[4] of the price for pets aged 6 or older, up to the maximum amount stated in your policy documents. According to their claims data, the average death benefit is £666^[1] for a dog and £236^[1] for a cat.

You will need to provide your insurer with documentation showing that you paid the amount you're claiming for. A bank statement is not always enough; most insurers will ask for a proper invoice or receipt.

If you want to claim for a pedigree pet, you should expect to be asked to provide extra documents such as a club registration, pedigree certificate and purchase receipt.

Death benefits can be useful cover to have, given the rising price of puppies and kittens in the UK. Pets4Homes, an online pet marketplace, reports that puppy prices rose by 19% and kitten prices by 8% in 2025. The table below shows the average purchase price now paid for some common breeds:

^{MoneySuperMarket data 2026}

💡 Top tip: If you cannot prove how much you paid for your pet, you may receive a standard benefit instead. For example, The Insurance Emporium pays £75 for dogs and £40 for cats when there is no proof of purchase price.

Can pet insurance cover me if I have to miss a holiday or event because my pet died? 

Yes, some pet insurance policies include holiday cancellation cover that you could claim against if you had to cancel or cut short a trip because your pet dies, goes missing, or unexpectedly needs serious veterinary treatment. 

There is usually a maximum amount you can claim, as well as other restrictions such as that you must have had valid travel insurance in place. You are unlikely to be covered for one-off events like attending a wedding, concert, or other day out.  

It is also possible to find travel insurance policies that will cover you for cancellation because of pet illness and death, but this isn't a standard inclusion. 

Can pet insurance cover grief counselling, therapy or time off work after my pet dies? 

No, pet insurance doesn't usually pay for counselling, therapy or lost earnings if you need time off work after your pet dies. 

However, free pet bereavement support is available from charities and other organisations. You can call the Blue Cross pet grief support hotline on 0800 138 6515. 

If grief is significantly affecting your day-to-day life, you also have the option of speaking to your GP about the NHS support that may be available to you. 

92% of employees who have lost a pet said their grief impacted their ability to work, according to the RSPCA.

Will pet insurance pay for my pet to be put down if I can't keep them anymore? 

No, pet insurance is unlikely to pay for optional euthanasia. This would include wanting to put your pet down for non-dangerous behavioural problems, old age, or because you can no longer keep or care for your pet. 

Euthanasia cover is intended for situations where a vet recommends it as a kinder option because your pet has a terminal condition or their quality of life has significantly deteriorated.

If you can no longer care for a healthy pet, contact your vet, a reputable animal charity or rehoming organisation to discuss your options. 

💡 Top tip: If you bought your pet from a breeder, your contract may say that you must give them the option of reclaiming the animal before you surrender it.  

Can I still claim on my pet insurance for vet treatment my pet had before they died? 

Yes, eligible treatment your pet received while your policy was active should still be covered even if they later die.

However, most pet insurers have a time period in which you must submit claims.

Do I need to keep paying my pet insurance premiums if my pet dies? 

It depends on your insurer. Many providers will stop charging monthly premiums if your pet has died, or issue a refund for any unused months if you pay annually. However, this approach is not guaranteed.

Contact your insurer as soon as possible after your pet dies. They will be able to cancel your policy and talk you through whether there are any future charges you should expect.  

Even among pet insurers that do offer refunds after a pet's death the usual practice is that you will not receive any money back if you have made a claim within your current policy term.

🚩 Don't simply stop paying or cancel your Direct Debit without speaking to your insurer. The policy will not be cancelled and it could damage your credit rating if the insurer pursues debt collection actions against you.

What happens if I have multi-pet cover and my pet dies? 

If one pet on a multi-pet policy dies, the other pets can generally remain insured. 

Each animal usually has its own cover, claim limits and medical history, so a claim relating to one pet shouldn't use another pet's vet fee allowance. 

Contact your insurer to remove the pet who has died and check whether this changes your premium. 

What do I do if my pet dies at home? 

If your pet dies unexpectedly at home, contact your vet. They can advise you on what to do next and discuss options for cremation or burial. 

If you need to keep your pet at home for a short period, keep their body somewhere cool and wrap them in a towel or blanket. 

If the death was unexpected or you're unsure why your pet died, speak to your vet before arranging cremation or burial in case they recommend further investigation. 

What are my options for my pet's remains? 

The main options are cremation or burial. 

With cremation, you may be able to choose between an individual cremation, where your pet's ashes are returned to you, and a communal cremation, where several animals are cremated together and you don't receive individual ashes. 

You may also be able to bury your pet at home or use a pet cemetery, subject to the rules where you live. 

Your vet can explain the services available locally. 

Am I allowed to bury a pet in my garden? 

If you are in England and own the land you can generally bury a small domestic pet such as a dog or cat without needing permission.

If you are not the freeholder, for example because you own a leasehold flat or live in rented accommodation, you should first seek permission from the landowner. 

There are also pet cemeteries where you can buy a plot for your pet. 

Where am I allowed to scatter my pet's ashes? 

If you own the land, you can generally scatter pet ashes without permission. If the land is owned by someone else such as the local council or a landlord, you should seek their permission first.

If you're scattering your pet's ashes in a public place, such as a woodland, park, beach or the sea, check whether you need permission and be mindful of the environment and other people to avoid breaching local rules.

Can I travel with pet ashes? 

Yes, you can generally travel with pet ashes, including abroad. However, it may be worthwhile double-checking the rules of your specific destination and transport provider.

It's also sensible to keep the ashes in a suitable sealed container and carry the cremation certificate or other paperwork supplied by the crematorium. 

Where can I find pet insurance that includes euthanasia, burial and pet loss cover? 

MoneySuperMarket lets you compare pet insurance from up to 37^[7] top UK insurers.

As well as price, you can compare policies on their inclusions, exclusions and limits, including for features such as euthanasia cover, death benefits and other end-of-life costs.