Whilst dog insurance isn’t a legal requirement, it’s
essential that you consider taking out a policy if
you own a dog. Vet bills are drastically increasing
year on year and in 2018, the average pet insurance
claim cost a staggering £793. With a dog insurance
policy in place, you’ll have peace of mind that if the
worst were to happen to your beloved pooch, you’ll
be able to claim back the cost of vet fees.
There are four main types of dog insurance:
This type of policy covers the cost of treatment if your dog is involved in an accident, it doesn’t provider cover for illnesses. However, some providers offer accident and illness policies that cover your dog if they become ill as the result of an accident. This is generally the cheapest type of dog insurance you can get as it offers the least extensive cover.
Time limited policies cover the cost of vet fees over a 12-month period from the date the illness or injury first appeared. Once the 12-month period ends, your dog will no longer be covered for the particular condition you claimed for, even if you renew your policy.
A maximum benefit policy enables you to claim for illnesses and injuries up to a pre-set limit. Unlike time-limited policies, you can claim for the same condition more than once. However, once you’ve reached the maximum amount, you’ll have to cover the cost of further treatment yourself. Maximum Benefit policies are typically seen as the mid-range option.
Lifetime dog insurance covers accidents, illnesses and conditions throughout the lifetime of the policy. The limit is refreshed each year. This tends to be the most expensive type of dog insurance you can get as it offers the most comprehensive level of cover. If your pet develops an ongoing condition that you want to cover for life, you’ll need to renew your lifetime policy yearly or find a new policy that covers pre-existing conditions.
This will vary depending on the type of policy you take out but most pet insurance for dogs provides cover for the following:
Before you take out a policy, make sure you read the terms and conditions thoroughly to check exactly what your dog is and isn’t covered for. Common exclusions include:
You can get a lifetime dog insurance policy for as little as £14.71 per month according to Compare by Review data in November 2020. *
The cost of puppy insurance will vary depending on a range of factors, mainly the type of policy you choose. Your premium will cost more if you opt for a more comprehensive policy, for example, accident only dog insurance is far cheaper than lifetime dog insurance. Your postcode will also impact the amount you pay because the cost of vet treatment is higher in some parts of the UK. If you live in an area where treatment is known to cost more, it’s likely that you’ll have to pay a higher premium. Pet insurance for older dogs generally costs more too as older dogs are at higher risk of developing health problems or illnesses. And finally, if you have a pedigree dog, you can expect to pay more to insure your dog.
Our comparison table ranks dog insurance exclusively on customer experience and product quality, rather than price. We encourage you to read dog insurance reviews when deciding who to take out a policy with to get an idea of how different insurers treat their customers and handle claims. You want to ensure that you’re in safe hands if the worst were to happen to your beloved pooch. Take a look at the best dog insurance providers below:
Provider
Cat quote
Review Score
Cover from
Dog quote
Maximum vet fees
£14.12
per month
1st of 25
£16.99
per month2nd of 25
£10.85
per month3rd of 25