Your pet deserves the best care
Pet insurance can help with unexpected vet costs such as X-rays and scans
Get your paws on a cheap deal
10% of our customers are quoted less than £3.91 a month for their pet insurance^
Little perks for pet parents
Insure through us for discounted movie tickets, meals out, drinks and more*
^10% of our customers were quoted less than £3.91 a month in June 2026 for their pet insurance, based on cat and dog insurance premium data. This applies to those paying for the policy in one annual payment, excluding any interest charged on instalments.
Kitten or senior cat, moggy or purebred, we can help you find cover for your feline friend.
More on cat cover
Puppy or older dog, pedigree or mutt, you can compare a range of policies.
More on dog coverCompare the Market only compares pet insurance for cats and dogs. If you want to insure a different type of animal you may need specialist cover.
Pet insurance is a type of insurance policy that can help cover the costs of treatment if your pet falls ill or gets injured. Vet bills can be expensive, and pets don’t have an NHS.
The right pet health insurance policy could cover your dog or cat's vet bills, so they can get the care they need without you having to worry about the cost.
Policy type | How your vet fee limit works | What’s covered | Can be suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
Claim a set amount that refreshes in full each policy year when you renew (caps may apply when claiming on certain conditions). | Accidents, injuries and illnesses that develop while they’re insured, including ongoing conditions (if you keep renewing each year). | Owners who want to cover pets for life, especially if they develop a chronic illness. | |
Claim up to a set amount for each condition with no time limit if you keep renewing cover – once the limit is reached, you can’t claim for that condition again. | Illnesses and accidents up to a maximum amount per condition. | Owners who want illness cover mainly for one-off problems. | |
Claim for up to 12 months from when the condition/symptoms are first noticed by you or your vet, or when treatment begins. Cover ends when the money or the time runs out – whichever comes first. | Illnesses and accidents for up to a year. | Pets in good health or for one-off conditions that clear up within 12 months. | |
Claim for accidents up to a set amount. Often excludes things such as compensation if your pet dies, advertising/rewards if it goes missing, alternative treatments, and kennel/cattery fees. | Accidents but not illnesses. | Young, healthy pets and owners who want a safety net for accidents at a cheaper price. |
Quick tip...
Some policies treat the same problem on the other side of the body – a second cruciate injury, for example – as one condition, so it shares the same limit.
Whichever type of cover you choose, check the limit would stretch to a real bill, as some treatments run into thousands.
The price of your cover will vary depending on factors including your pet's age, breed, medical history and more.
Unlike some other forms of insurance, pet insurance is usually the same price whether you pay monthly or annually.
The below table gives you a rough idea of what customers using Compare the Market are typically quoted:
More comprehensive cover (such as lifetime insurance) usually costs more
Your vet fee limit is the most your insurer will pay towards treatment – either per condition or policy. Lower limits usually cost less, but might not stretch far.
To give you an idea, Animal Trust charges £3,560 for a CT scan and spinal surgery (as of August 2026)
How much you’ll have to pay towards a claim – choosing a higher excess can sometimes lower your premium.
Some policies also add a co-payment – a fixed percentage of the bill that you pay after the excess has been taken off
Each provider sets prices based on their claims history and experience of risk
Older cats and dogs are more likely to develop health issues. This can mean higher premiums, a bigger excess and sometimes a co-payment towards vet bills
Certain breeds of dog may be more prone to hereditary diseases.
For example, French Bulldogs are at risk of developing Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS)
This can get rid of risks linked to breeding and pregnancy and make pets less likely to stray
A trip to the vets may be more expensive in certain areas
Bear in mind...
While the cheapest pet insurance policy may save you money, it might not offer all the cover you want. This could then mean compromising on your pet’s medical care if they ever needed treatment.
As an example, May 2025 data from the ABI shows treatment for elbow dysplasia – the most common cause of forelimb lameness in certain breeds of dog – can cost over £50,000.
Simply use the Compare the Market pet insurance comparison tool to get a quote in minutes.
Let us know about you, your pet and the type of cover you’re looking for.
You'll see a list of suitable policies so you can compare the different features and costs.
Choose a policy that suits your needs and give your pet the protection they deserve.
It’s important to always read your policy terms and conditions carefully so you know what is and isn’t covered. As a general guide, here's what tends to be included in pet insurance policies:
If your pet is ill or injured
As part of treatment for a covered condition – cover limits may apply
Following accidental injury (if check-ups are kept up to date)
If your pet goes missing
If your pet dies or goes missing and can't be found
If you’re temporarily unable to care for your pet. You may need to be in hospital a minimum number of days to claim.
If your dog injures someone, causes an accident or damages someone’s property
Such as physio, acupuncture or homeopathy, if your vet recommends them
If you take your pet abroad to certain countries and follow the Pet Travel Scheme rules
And other costs related to euthanasia
Up to a set limit
Injuries, illnesses and symptoms your pet already had when you took out the policy
Cover for a condition that routine vaccinations could have prevented is also likely to be excluded
This is usually the first 14 days after taking out a policy
This is required by law for dogs (before they’re eight weeks old) and cats (by 20 weeks old)
Other preventative treatments are also unlikely to be included
Such as annual check-ups, worming and flea treatments
And dental treatment caused by illness
This also extends to other voluntary medical treatments not recommended by a vet
Always check your cover first if you plan on breeding your pet
Typically around 10 for cats and 8 for dogs
Breeds covered by the Dangerous Dogs Act
Bear in mind...
If your pet is ill or injured during the waiting period, you’ll have to cover the cost of any diagnosis and treatment yourself.
The condition will also be classed as a pre-existing and won’t be covered under your policy.
You usually pay an insurer a monthly or yearly fee. The insurer covers some or all of the cost if your animal becomes ill or injured
If you need to make a claim on your pet insurance, you’ll usually contact your provider directly
The provider assesses the claim and, if approved, gives you a payout in line with the terms of your policy.
Did you know?
You usually won’t be covered within the first 14 days of taking out cover. This is to stop people using their new policy to cover existing conditions. Check the T&Cs to be sure.
Where you pay a percentage of the claim on top of the compulsory excess
Giving your pet a good diet, exercise, and regular care could save you hundreds (or even thousands) of pounds in vet bills
If they’re not vaccinated and get sick with something they could have been protected against, your provider might refuse to pay out
This can help reduce the risk of certain conditions and could potentially lower your premiums too
Pedigree dogs and cats can make wonderful pets but might be more prone to inherited disorders and so may be more expensive to insure
You can use our pet insurance comparison service to compare quotes from a wide range of insurance providers
Find more money-saving tips in our guide to the average cost of pet insurance.
Typically, most pet insurance policies won’t cover pre-existing conditions. These are conditions your pet had before the policy started, such as diabetes.
You may be able to find a specialist policy that covers historical pre-existing conditions.
These are conditions your pet has had in the past but hasn’t had symptoms of or treatment for in a specified period, such as the last two years
But these types of specialist policies are rare and might not cover all conditions.
Some insurers offer policies for pre-existing illnesses, but these may only cover:
Worsening symptoms of the condition
Changes to medication or treatment
New medication or treatment
You’re usually not covered for treatments, medications, tests, and consultations for an existing ongoing condition.
Yes, some insurance providers let you cover multiple pets on one policy. Having multi-pet cover can be helpful as:
Some insurers offer you a discount for covering more than one pet with them
Managing cover can be easier as you have one payment and renewal date
You can’t currently directly compare multi-pet insurance with us, but you can:
Run a comparison search with us for one pet
Find the policy you want
Click through to that policy provider’s site and see if it gives you the option to add another pet to your policy.
To compare pet insurance with us, we’ll need to know:
Your pet’s age and breed
Whether your pet is male or female
How much you paid or donated for them
Whether your pet has been neutered or spayed
Whether they’re microchipped
Explore cover types, what’s included and how to protect your pet
Co-insurance means that you agree to pay a percentage of the vet bill if you make a claim – on top of the fixed excess.
The percentage varies by policy, but it’s typically 10-20%
Co-payment insurance policies may be more common for older pets as they’re more at risk of falling ill
Not all providers offer co-insurance, so check if you’re unsure.
Pet insurance could protect you from costly vet fees if the unexpected happens. Even indoor pets can get into scrapes or fall ill.
When you think that a fracture repair could cost over £2,000, pet insurance could be a small price to pay in comparison.
For most types of pet insurance, you’ll have to pay an excess with each claim. Pet insurance policies can have:
A set excess – £90 per claim, for example
A voluntary excess – an amount you choose to pay to get a lower premium in addition to the set excess
A co-payment – a percentage of the claim, sometimes called a contribution excess
A combination of the above – so, for example, a £90 excess plus 10% of the claim plus the voluntary excess as well.
Most providers will specify if the excess is likely to change as your pet gets older.
If your dog or cat is microchipped and they go missing, contact the microchipping company to see if they’ve been handed in anywhere. Failing that:
Get in touch with your local animal rescue centre
Ask your neighbours
Put the word out on social media.
Some pet insurance policies offer help with advertising and reward money if your pet goes astray.
You can travel to Europe with your pet, but:
You’ll need to get an animal health certificate (AHC) to travel to Europe or Northern Ireland
You’ll need to prove your pet has a microchip and a valid rabies vaccination
There may be other requirements depending on where you’re travelling to. GOV.UK offers more information on taking pets abroad.
You might also want to consider pet insurance with overseas cover. Not all providers offer this feature, so check it’s included when comparing policies.
To make a claim on your pet insurance:
Call your provider’s claims line – have your policy number handy. Check with your vet if they can claim on your behalf
If your pet is ill, ask the claims team if a particular treatment is likely to be covered before you go ahead
Confirm what evidence you need for your claim, such as invoices and receipts
Submit your claim as soon as possible.
You might have to pay the bill and claim back the money. But if the bill is less than your excess, then it might not be worth claiming.
If you can’t afford vet bills, you could try:
Shopping around online to get prescribed medication more cheaply
Credit-based payment plans from the vet
Swapping to a different vet with lower fees
Seeing if your pet is eligible for free or low-cost treatment through an animal charity.
Start by speaking honestly to your vet. Let them know what you can afford in case they can suggest alternative treatments.
Dog insurance could cover your legal liability for third-party damage caused by your dog to another person’s property. Check the terms of your policy to see what’s covered.
But keep in mind that:
Pet insurance doesn’t cover damage to your own property
Most home insurance policies exclude pet damage.
You may be able to add accidental damage cover to your home insurance policy. But even this might exclude certain types of pet damage, such as chewing or scratching.
Whether your pet insurance covers ‘cherry eye’ depends on:
What type of policy you have
If this is the first time your dog has had the problem.
Cherry eye, which is a problem with the dog’s third eyelid, might be helped by medication. But surgery is often needed if the gland in the eyelid has swelled up.
Talk to your pet insurance provider to check if you’re covered.
Whether your pet insurance covers Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) surgery depends on:
The type of policy you have
If their BOAS is being treated as a pre-existing condition
The severity of the condition
Whether any other treatment options are possible.
If in doubt, talk to your pet insurance provider. It'll let you know if your cover includes BOAS treatment and eventual surgery if needed.
Amy helps make sure you get the best value when choosing insurance. Thanks to more than four years’ experience at Compare the Market, she understands what people look for, working closely with insurance providers to offer you deals and services that are fair, easy to understand and right for your needs.
1Based on Trustpilot ratings (July 2026).
2Based on 51% of customers who compared quotes for this type of policy in June 2026.
What our expert says...
“When deciding how much pet insurance cover to take out, it’s important to do your research.
"If you have a pedigree pet, find out what genetic illnesses they may be prone to getting and what kind of treatment could be involved. Look up your local vet clinics to find out their pricing list for treating common conditions, such as gastroenteritis.
"Ultimately, you’ll never be able to fully anticipate what those future vet costs could be. But having that benchmark can help you decide what vet fee limit you might need. Going too low on your limit could mean you end up paying a hefty chunk of the bill yourself.”