Who Offers the Best Pet Insurance?

What is pet insurance?

Pet insurance can provide cover for pet owners faced with unexpected vet bills and treatments if their cat, dog or other domestic animal becomes ill or injured.

It can give pet owners peace of mind that they won’t need to pay for these expenses out of their own pocket, although it’s important to note that pet insurance will only pay out in certain cases.

Polices can vary significantly, with some only offering basic, accident-only cover, while more comprehensive pet insurance can include cover for a range of illnesses and conditions, as well as other costs.

Why is pet insurance important?

Pet insurance is important as it helps you to look after your pet by covering the cost of potentially expensive vet bills and treatments. Indeed, if you couldn’t afford to pay for this out of your own pocket, having pet insurance to pay for the necessary medical expenses could potentially be the difference between your pet recovering or having to be put down.

While pet insurance can seem expensive, it’s important to think about whether you could afford to pay hundreds, or even thousands, of pounds for emergency treatment for your pet. Taking out pet insurance to cover certain expenses could save you money in the long-term and ensures your pet will receive the care it needs should the worst happen.

When looking for the best pet insurance policy, consider the one that is most suitable for the needs of your pet, including coverage for any underlying conditions they may have, even if this means paying more compared to other options.

See our guide to help you decide if pet insurance is worth it.

What kind of pet can I insure?

You can get pet insurance for a range of household pets. While dog insurance and cat insurance are some of the more common and popular options, you can also find insurance for:

• hamsters and guinea pigs
• rabbits
• birds, including budgies and parrots
• exotic animals, such as snakes, lizards, spiders and tropical fish

Any pets you keep for the purposes of racing, such as greyhounds, may require a specialist policy and cost more to insure (or may be declined entirely) due to the higher likelihood of them being injured or lost.

Horses and ponies aren’t covered under domestic pet insurance but can still be insured by an equine insurance provider.

Do you legally need pet insurance in the UK?

No, you’re not legally required to have pet insurance in the UK, but as mentioned, it can be a cost-effective way to take care of your pet should they need an otherwise costly medical treatment.

It’s also worth considering that pet insurance with public liability cover can help manage the costs of any damage your pet may have caused, as well as legal representation expenses if necessary.

How much does pet insurance cost?

The cost of your pet insurance can vary significantly depending on:

• the type of animal (and the breed) you’re insuring
• the age and medical history of your pet
• where you live (those in towns and cities may face higher premiums)
• your claims history
• the excess you pay when you make a claim
• the level of cover you choose.

Insurance that has more comprehensive cover, higher limits and greater benefits will typically cost more than those offering basic cover for a limited number of risks.

Bear in mind that the cheapest pet insurance won’t necessarily be the best option; it’s important to consider your requirements and preferences to ensure you choose a policy that offers the protection you need.

What does pet insurance cover?

Below are the types of cover that pet insurance may provide. However, not all policies will include all of the following and the exact cover you receive will depend on the individual policy you take out.

Veterinary bills and medical treatments

At the most basic level, pet insurance policies cover you against unexpected vet bills for illness or injury.

These may include the cost of drugs, any surgeries required and even physiotherapy to help your pet recover. Some policies will also cover the cost of non-standard treatments, such as acupuncture, homeopathy and behavioural therapy.

However, it’s important to note that some things – such as the cost of regular check-ups, vaccinations, booster shots, anti-flea treatments and grooming – will not be covered. For more information, see the section on What is excluded from pet insurance? below.

Pet value on loss or death

Pet insurance also often covers the value of your treasured pet, should they die due to illness or accident, or if they’re lost or stolen. Insurers may cover the amount you paid for your pet or its market value.

If a pet goes missing, some insurance policies will cover you up to a set limit to advertise for your lost pet and even offer a modest reward for finding the animal and returning it to you, or for information that leads to a conviction if the pet was stolen.

Public liability

Pet insurance can include an element of public liability (also called third-party liability) cover should your animal injure someone or damage their property (including another pet or livestock). This can help to cover the cost of legal fees and compensation costs.

This cover is normally reserved for dogs, but it can also be extended to certain exotic pets too.

Boarding costs

Some pet insurance policies may cover the cost of boarding your cat or dog at a cattery or kennel, if you have to go into hospital or into temporary care, for example.

This will be subject to meeting certain conditions. For example, you may need to be in hospital for a minimum number of consecutive days (such as four)

Overseas costs

Some policies will cover your pet for all or some of the above events while you are abroad (see section below on Do pets need insurance to travel abroad?). This is great if you have a second home overseas which your pet might travel to with you.

What is excluded from pet insurance?

There are some things which you cannot insure against or claim for with pet insurance. What you are insured for will differ depending on your policy and provider. This is one of those occasions where you really should check the policy and read the small print!

• Dental care. Some policies may cover emergency dental care for injuries, for example, and other dental treatments, but others may not, or only include it at an extra cost. In all cases, routine and cosmetic dental work will not be covered.
• Pre-existing health conditions. Many insurers won’t cover any illnesses or conditions that were diagnosed before taking out the policy. See our guide on pet insurance with pre-existing conditions.
• Grooming costs. This could include claw-clipping, de-matting and cosmetic procedures.
• Routine and preventative treatment. This could include any standard health check-ups; vaccinations and immunisations (including booster shots); flea, tick and worm treatments; and spaying and castration costs.
• Pregnancy. Some policies may exclude claims related to pregnancy or your pet giving birth.
• Euthanasia and cremation costs. Some policies do not cover the cost of having your pet put to sleep and/or the costs of cremation. In addition, if these are covered, there may be policy limits which restrict how much they will pay in these circumstances.

Always make sure you know what is covered by your pet insurance policy and what isn’t. Don’t find yourself in the unenviable position of having paid a premium only to find out later that you aren’t covered when the worst happens.

What types of pet insurance are there?

Pet insurance falls into four types: accident-only, maximum benefit, time-limited and lifetime.

Accident-only

This is the most basic form of pet insurance, and often the cheapest. It only covers the cost of treatment if your pet suffers an accident (such as being hit by a car); it doesn’t typically insure against illness at all.

Time limited

Time limited policies normally cover a pet for both injuries and illnesses, up to a certain limit.

They come with fixed time limits (the time period you can continue claiming for a particular condition), which is typically a maximum of 12 months from when pet falls ill or gets injured. In addition to this limit, these policies may also come with a fixed cost limit (the maximum sum you can claim for each illness or injury).

This means you will only be able to claim for your pet’s treatment until you reach the time or monetary limit (whichever comes first). Once you reach the limit, you will no longer be covered, even if you renew the policy.

Maximum benefit

These may also be called per condition policies or money limited policies. This type of policy will cover a fixed sum of money for each condition; there is no time limit. You can continue to claim for a particular illness or injury up to this limit, as long as the policy remains active.

Once you have claimed for treatment up to this limit you will have received the ‘maximum benefit’ available under that policy. You will be responsible for any further costs for this condition, even if you renew the policy with the same insurer.

Lifetime

This is the most comprehensive form of pet insurance and is usually the most expensive. With lifetime insurance, you can claim up to a set amount (detailed in your policy) every year, as long as you renew your policy with that provider. The limits reset every year, which means your pet can have ongoing treatment for the remainder of its life.

For example, if your policy covers a maximum of £10,000 per year for all claims, you can claim up to £10,000 of treatment every year. Any costs over and above this will not be covered.

Bear in mind that lifetime pet insurance policies may set a limit by condition per year, which means you could only claim up to a maximum sum for a particular condition per year. For example, the limit could be £2,000 per year for your cat’s liver disease and £1,000 for skin conditions per year, so these would be the maximum amounts you could claim annually. Again, these limits reset at renewal every year.

Is pet insurance worth it? Or should I put money aside?

Whether pet insurance is worth it or not ultimately comes down to individual preference. There’s always the risk that opting for a cheaper policy, or no cover at all, could lead to you losing out later down the line, so having your pet insured can give you peace of mind.

This being said, putting the money you would have spent on insurance into a high-paying savings account could generate worthwhile returns, if given enough time to grow. This pot could then theoretically be used to cover your pet’s medical bills if required, though you’d have to weigh up the un-subsidised price of any treatments against the cost of the insurance policy to ensure you don’t end up worse off.

Want to find the best pet insurance UK providers offer? It’s important to compare all the features and terms of different policies, as well as the cost, to ensure you find one that offers the cover you want.

On our chart above, insurers with a Moneyfacts Four- and Five-Star rating are considered by our team of experts to be some of the top-rated pet insurance policies available right now. Some brands may be among the biggest pet insurance companies in the UK, but others may be less well-known. However, all those insurers with a top star rating are considered to offer a comprehensive range of standout features at a competitive price.

What factors might increase the cost of pet insurance premiums in the UK?

Some factors that can influence the price of your pet’s policy include:

• Age. Older pets will usually cost more to insure and may not get cover at all, although there are some specialist older pet insurance policies available.
• Medical history. You have to declare any medical problems that your pet has already suffered from to your insurer. These can increase the cost of your premium or, in some cases, this condition may be excluded completely from cover. (Never be tempted to lie or simply not disclose this kind of information – this is illegal and can result in both prosecution and your policy being cancelled).
• Type and breed of pet. Dogs tend to attract a higher premium than cats, although this will depend on the breed, as pedigrees and other breeds may cost more to insure. Exotic pets may also be more expensive to insure.

If you have more than one pet, some insurers offer multi-pet insurance which could be more cost-effective than insuring each animal individually.

Why has my pet insurance increased?

Your pet’s increasing age is usually one of the main reasons for rising insurance premiums, however, there are a few other reasons why your insurance policy could increase over time.

Advances in diagnostic and surgical procedures, as well as rising staff salaries often drive up overall veterinary running costs, which, without subsidy, can see bills skyrocket over relatively short periods.

There’s also the effect of general inflation to consider, which affects vets, insurers and other related providers, causing them to increase prices.

If you find your pet insurance is becoming too expensive, it may be time to consider reviewing your cover. Our chart above can help you compare the latest policies to find the right one for your situation.

How does pet insurance work for long-term conditions?

As your pet ages, they may start to develop long-term conditions, especially if they’re a pedigree breed that may be prone to certain issues. For a condition to be classed as pre-existing in the eyes of an insurer, any symptoms must have been present before any cover was taken out.

For example, if it is known that your dog has liver problems before you take out the policy, you will probably not be able to claim for treatments or death specific to this cause. If, however, your pet’s condition is diagnosed after 14 days from the start of the policy this will likely be covered (subject to your policy’s cover, terms and exclusions).

What’s more, if your pet has a family history or a tendency in the breed to develop certain health problems, you must declare this when taking out the policy. Many insurers will accept the risk if your pet is not showing any signs of this condition when the policy is taken out (although you may be charged a higher premium). If your pet subsequently develops this condition 14 days or more after the policy starts and you have ‘unrestricted’ cover then you will be covered (subject to your normal policy conditions, limits and exclusions).

If a standard insurer won’t cover your pet’s condition, you may still be able to find the coverage you need with a specialist policy. While more expensive, these policies offer reassurance that you can claim for your pet’s condition when needed and may work out to be more cost effective should they need regular treatment.

Can I switch my pet insurance provider?

Yes, in most cases it is possible to switch pet insurance providers, even if you’re midway through your current policy.

Actively comparing other policies can be a good way to minimise the costs of pet insurance, particularly if you’ve recently been hit with a significant price hike. From there, consider whether switching to another policy (which could include paying any cancellation fees) is worth it, especially, as there could be a brief period during the switch when you have no cover.

Keep in mind, switching providers becomes a little more complicated when dealing with any underlying conditions with your pet. While you may be covered for a particular issue with your existing insurer, a new provider may not provide cover as it will be classed as a pre-existing condition. Because of this, it’s important to read the fine print of any new policy to ensure your pet is covered for what they need.

What do vets do if you can’t afford treatment?

If you don’t have pet insurance or your pet develops a condition not covered by your policy, you may be required to pay the full unsubsidised cost of a medical procedure or medication. But what if you can’t afford to pay?

If this happens, depending on the clinic, they may refuse treatment, recommend alternative treatments, or even suggest euthanasia. However, a vet should not unreasonably withhold first-aid or pain relief in emergency situations. Because of this, it’s crucial to speak to your vet to see what options are available.

In certain circumstances, your vet may be able to offer a payment plan to help you cover the cost of the treatment or recommend cheaper alternatives as a compromise (though this may mean further treatments are required later down the line). In the case of the former, make sure to consider if these payment plans charge interest as this could mean paying more than the original cost of the treatment over time.

You could also consider seeking out other clinics that may have more reasonable pricing or turning to charities that may be able to help cover or subsidise costs if you meet certain criteria.

The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals, or PDSA, for example, is a charity that can offer low-cost or even free care for eligible pet owners, so make sure to research each option carefully before making a decision.

Do pets need insurance to travel abroad?

While not a legal requirement, having cover for your pets while abroad can help protect you against any unexpected costs while away. You’ll find that some pet insurance policies may include travel cover as standard, while others include it as an optional add-on for an additional cost. Most of these policies will cover travel for your pet up to around 90 days, but this can vary between providers, as can the number of trips you can take in a certain period.

Be aware that since Brexit, rules on taking your pet into the European Union (EU) have changed. For instance, unless issued in the EU or Northern Ireland, you can no longer use a Pet Passport to travel to an EU country with your pet, including assistance animals. As part of these new rules, known as the Pet Travel Scheme, you’ll now need to make sure your pet is microchipped, has been vaccinated for rabies, and has an Animal Health Certificate (AHC).

What does pet travel insurance cover?

Pet travel insurance can cover a range of scenarios, including but not limited to:

• Emergency vet fees while abroad
• Costs to house your pet should they be quarantined upon arrival in your destination.
• Cancellation of your trip as a result of your pet dying or in need of emergency care.
• Repatriation costs, to help get your pet back home if they become ill or injured while abroad.

Note, as with regular pet insurance, things like you pet’s age or any pre-existing conditions may affect your coverage so make sure you’re aware of what you can claim for before travelling.

Does pet insurance cover a pet’s emotional support needs?

Not as such, but there are some insurance providers that will cover a certain array of behavioural issues in pets, usually when diagnosed by a vet or animal behaviouralist.

Some of the most common problems that may be covered can include anxiety, aggression or destructive behaviour, with the policy paying out for training or medication. However, note that pre-existing problems may not be covered.