What does pet insurance cover?

Key takeaways

• Pet insurance helps you pay for vet bills or treatment costs if your pet gets sick or hurt. It can also help if your pet dies, goes missing, gets stolen, or causes damage.

• Pet insurance usually covers vet visits, emergencies, and lost pet help. But it often doesn’t cover things like regular check-ups, vaccinations, teeth cleaning, or getting your pet neutered.

• There are four main pet insurance policies: accident-only, time-limited, maximum benefit, and lifetime cover

How does pet insurance work?

As a pet owner, you want to keep your furry friend healthy. But going to the vet can cost a lot of money. Pet insurance helps you pay for these costs.

It works like car or home insurance in that you pay a monthly premium for cover. When you make a claim, the insurance can either pay the vet directly or give you the money back after you’ve paid for something it covers. Exactly what pet insurance covers depends on the policy you buy.

What is pet insurance?

Pet insurance helps you pay for vet bills if your pet gets sick, has an accident, or goes missing. You pay a monthly fee, and the insurance can cover some or all of the vet fees, depending on the insurance company plan you choose.

Vet treatment can be expensive, so insurance can help you take care of your pet without worrying too much about big surprise bills.

Pet insurance can also cover loss of a pet through theft or if your cat or dog goes missing. Some policies for dogs also cover third-party liability – where a pet has caused damage or harm to property or a person. 

Your pet’s breed will impact how much you pay for pet insurance. Moneysupermarket pet insurance statistics show that insuring a border terrier costs an average of £11.08^{^} a month. Cover for a French bulldog costs much more - £24.46^{^} a month on average. The statistics also show that insuring a dog costs nearly twice as much as a cat.

What does pet insurance cover?

What pet insurance covers depends on the level of cover you choose and will be explained in your policy document. Pet insurance normally covers the following:

• Vet fees if your pet gets sick or hurt

• Emergency treatments

• Surgery or medicine

• Costs if your pet is lost or stolen

• Damage your pet causes to others

Some plans may also pay out if your pet dies.

What are pre-existing medical conditions?

A pre-existing medical condition is a health problem your pet had before you bought pet insurance.

Most pet insurance plans do not cover these conditions, so they won’t pay for treatment related to them.

📣 Did you know? It’s important to check whether any illnesses or injuries your pet already has will be covered before you buy insurance.

Does pet insurance cover vet’s bills?

Yes, pet insurance can help pay for vet bills. If your pet gets sick or has an accident, insurance can cover the cost of treatment, medicine, or surgery.

But not all vet bills are covered. Most pet insurance don’t pay for regular check-ups, microchipping, vaccines, or teeth cleaning unless you add extra cover. It’s important to read what the insurance includes so you know what it will pay for and what it won’t.

What pet insurance covers

What pet insurance covers varies between policies and the type of pet insurance you choose. Read your policy document to find out exactly what is covered. Things that are not covered are known as ‘exclusions’.

What pet insurance can cover

✔ Veterinary fees for accidental injury and illnesses

✔ Emergencies that require immediate medical attention such as x-rays, surgery or medication

✔ A contribution to the costs of trying to find a missing pet, including offering a reward and putting up posters.

✔ More comprehensive policies might cover dental treatment and alternative treatments such as acupuncture, physiotherapy or hydrotherapy

✔ Euthanasia - if this is deemed necessary for your pet. Euthanasia means putting your pet down when they are very sick or hurt and there is no way to make them better.

What pet insurance doesn’t cover

✖️ Pet insurance usually does not cover routine or preventative treatments like vaccinations, neutering, or dental care.

✖️ Many providers offer dental treatment as an optional add-on, covering dental costs from accidents or injuries.

✖️ Most pet insurance plans don’t pay for cattery or kennel fees.

Different types of pet insurance cover

The level of cover and type of policy you choose will determine what your policy covers.

Common pet insurance exclusions

• Pregnancy and birth: These are generally not covered. If you get your pets neutered or spayed, you may be entitled to cheaper premiums.

• Preventative treatments: These are essential but not included in standard policies. Getting preventative treatments like worming or flea treatment may lead to cheaper premiums.

• Vaccinations: Necessary for pet health, but not covered. Keeping your pet's vaccinations up to date can result in lower insurance premiums.

• Excess: The excess is the amount you pay towards a claim, before the insurance pays out. Choosing a higher excess can bring down the cost of your policy, but you will have to pay that amount in the event of a claim.

• Banned breeds: Dogs under the Dangerous Dogs Act are difficult to insure.

• Pre-existing conditions: Pets with existing health conditions may need specialist insurance.

• Third-party liability: Third party liability cover normally only applies to dogs. It helps pay if your dog causes injury to someone else or damages their property.

Senior pets and insurance

Your pet’s age will affect how much you pay for pet insurance . This is because older pets are more likely to get sick or need treatment, resulting in more pet insurance claims.

So, the older your pet is, the higher the price you might pay for insurance. It’s a good idea to get insurance when your pet is young to help keep costs lower.

Moneysupermarket pet insurance statistics show that dogs aged under one-year-old typically cost £9.78^{^} a month to insure, while dogs over the age of seven-years-old cost an average of £25.48^{^} a month to insure.

Once your pet is past a certain age (dogs – over eight years) they are then classified as senior dogs or senior cats. Some providers have maximum age limits while others will allow you to start a new policy for your pet at any age.

If you are looking for the best senior dog insurance, MoneySuperMarket can ensure you get our most competitive rates from leading UK pet insurance providers.

📣 Did you know? We can also help you compare quotes for cat insurance.

Is pet insurance worth it?

Pet insurance can be worth it if you worry about paying big vet bills. By paying a small amount each month, you have help if your pet suddenly gets sick or hurt. This can save you a lot of money and stress if your pet has an accident or becomes ill.

But insurance is not right for everyone. You still pay the monthly fee even if your pet never needs expensive care, and some things (like routine check‑ups or certain illnesses) might not be covered. If you have enough savings set aside for emergencies, you might decide not to buy insurance.

💡 Top tip: Think about your budget, your pet’s health, and how you would handle a large vet bill before deciding.

Saving money with MoneySuperMarket

MoneySuperMarket is your go-to resource for finding competitive rates and tailored policies from leading UK providers. By comparing cover levels and costs, you can find a policy that fits both your pet's needs and your budget.

Pet insurance offers a way to manage the costs associated with unexpected veterinary care, giving you the assurance that your pet can receive the treatment they need without putting undue strain on your finances. With the help of MoneySuperMarket, you can choose the right pet insurance policy for your pet.