Dog Insurance | Compare More

How does dog insurance work?

Vet bills can add up fast – even a short stay or minor surgery can cost hundreds, if not thousands. But with dog insurance in place, you don’t have to choose between your bank balance and your best friend’s health.

Depending on the type of policy you choose, it will cover vet bills if your dog gets sick or injured. Some policies also include extras like dental treatment and behavioural therapy.

Pet insurance policies can vary a lot in terms of what they cover. This page will help you understand what to look out for in the terms and conditions. Even better, make sure you compare insurers to find the right fit for you and your dog.

Why choose pet insurance for your dog?

Looking after your dog is always a serious financial commitment – but the day-to-day costs can be eclipsed by vet bills should something go wrong. Whether it’s a fairly routine illness, an injury sustained at the park, or something more serious, the costs of investigations and treatment can quickly add up.

As an example, Animal Trust vets charge £1,779-£2,019 for a fracture repair, £1,019 for an endoscopy and £719 for a thyroidectomy. And because Animal Trust focuses on affordable care, prices at other vets could be even higher.

This is why so many owners make sure they have pet insurance in place. It makes it easier to say "yes" to the best treatment available.

So, depending on the type of policy you choose, and the treatment covered, you can see that dog insurance gives you peace of mind. That means financially, and more importantly, knowing that your dog will get the care it needs.

What does dog insurance cover?

This depends on the type of policy you go for – but in general, dog insurance may include these as standard or as optional extras:

Typically covered

Vet fees for accidents and illnesses.
Surgery, scans and hospital stays.
Prescription medications.
Complementary/alternative treatments, like physiotherapy, hydrotherapy or acupuncture.
Third-party liability in case your dog causes injury or damage to others.
Loss of the dog due to going missing or dying.
Advertising and reward costs to help you find lost or stolen dogs.
The cost of your holiday if you need to cancel it because your dog needs emergency lifesaving treatment near to your holiday beginning.

What isn’t covered?

Pre-existing conditions: Most policies won’t cover illnesses your dog had before you took out insurance.
Routine care: Vaccinations, worming, flea treatments and regular check-ups are usually not included.
Pregnancy and birth: Complications or costs related to pregnancy are often excluded.
Waiting period: Some policies have a short wait before cover starts (e.g. 14 days).
Insurer-specific exclusions: Insurers and individual policies may have their own exclusions, such as limits on how much they will pay per condition.

When it comes to dental cover, insurers differ in terms of whether they include it, and if so to what extent. See our guide to pet insurance with dental cover for more details.

Always check the small print so you know exactly what’s included – and what’s not – before you buy.

How much does dog insurance cost?

The cost of dog insurance can vary a lot – it all depends on your dog and the type of policy you choose. Some of the key factors that affect the price include:

Policy limits: More generous cover limits will cost more.
Excess: A higher excess (the amount you pay towards a claim) usually means lower premiums.
Your dog’s breed: Some breeds - especially larger breeds - are more prone to health problems, which can increase premiums.
Age: Older dogs usually cost more to insure (and some insurers may decline to accept dogs over a certain age).

Where you live: Vet costs vary by location, which can impact pricing. For example, because vets in towns and cities typically charge more than those in rural areas this may be reflected in the policy premium.
Type of cover: The four main types of dog insurance (lifetime, accident-only, time-limited and maximum benefit) differ - so make sure you choose the right type for your needs and your budget. Lifetime is typically the most comprehensive, and therefore the most expensive. See our guide for more info: What are the four types of pet insurance?

The best way to find out how much cover would cost for you is to compare quotes from leading pet insurance companies. That way, you can weigh up what’s included and make sure you’re getting good value.

How to keep costs down

Want to protect your pup without breaking the bank? Here are a few ways to keep your premiums manageable:

Insure early

Taking out a policy when your dog is young and healthy can lock in lower premiums.

Compare cover types

Accident-only cover is cheaper but limited. Lifetime is the most comprehensive, but the most expensive. Maximum benefit or time-limited might offer a good middle ground.

Consider higher excess:

Choosing a higher excess can reduce your monthly cost - just make sure you can afford it if you need to claim.

Look at multi-pet policies

If you’ve got more than one furry friend, a multi-pet plan could save you money.

Spaying/neutering

Depending on the insurer, dogs that have been spayed or neutered can sometimes be cheaper to insure.

Always shop around

Not all policies are created equal – it pays to compare.

Things to consider

Before you sign up for a dog insurance policy, think about what you really need – and what you’re comfortable paying.

Lifetime vs time-limited

Lifetime cover costs more, but it offers ongoing protection for long-term conditions – ideal if you want full, lasting peace of mind.

Pre-existing conditions

These are usually excluded, but some insurers may offer cover after a symptom-free period.

Claim limits

Different policies have different claim limits – make sure you know what those are before buying.

Excess options

Make sure you understand how excess works on policies you are considering. For example, sometimes a policy will have a fixed excess, but as your dog gets older you’ll also need to pay a percentage of the treatment on top of the excess.

Cost vs benefit

As with most types of insurance, you may end up paying more in premiums than you ever claim for. But if you are unlucky enough to face big vet bills, you’ll be glad you have cover in place.