Accident-only pet insurance

Peace of mind for pet mishaps

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There for the unexpected

Support for vet costs if your pet suffers an accidental injury

Cover that fits your budget

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What is accident-only pet insurance?

Accident-only pet insurance covers the cost of treatment for your pet if it’s been involved in an accident. For example:

  • Broken bones 

  • Cuts 

  • Bite wounds 

  • Road traffic injuries 

  • Swallowing something they shouldn’t.

Accident-only cover is designed to take the sting out of that one-off emergency, without the price tag of a more comprehensive policy. It's the most basic level of cover and usually the cheapest, but it won't pay out if your pet becomes ill.

Dog getting their paw wrapped in a pink cast at the vet

How does accident-only pet insurance work?

Keep your cover ticking

Pay your monthly or annual premium to keep your accident-only policy active.

Get help after an injury

If your pet is injured, contact your provider. In some cases, your vet may be able to claim directly, so you don’t have to pay the full treatment cost upfront.

Pay your share

You’ll need to pay your excess, plus any co-payment that applies to your policy.

Let your insurer cover the rest

Your insurer pays eligible costs up to the vet fee limit for that accident or injury. Some policies may also have inner limits for specific treatments, such as dental work or cruciate ligament injuries.

Don’t miss the deadline

Claims usually need to be submitted within a set period after treatment, so check your policy documents carefully.

What does accident-only pet insurance cover?

Typically covered

  • Vet fees for eligible accidental injuries, and sometimes illness directly linked to an accident

  • Emergency surgery, X-rays, scans and medication for that injury

  • Emergency dental treatment after an accident

  • Some policies include third party liability cover for dogs and farewell cover (which can help pay for putting a pet to sleep, cremation, or burial)

Not typically covered

  • Illnesses, unless your policy specifically covers illness linked to an accident

  • Pre-existing injuries and conditions

  • Routine and preventative care such as vaccinations, worming, neutering and dental cleaning

  • Pregnancy and breeding

  • Anything above your vet fee limit, inner limits or excess

Quick tip

For help with ongoing conditions in senior pets you’ll need to be covered by insurance for older cats and older dogs.

How much does accident-only pet insurance cost?

What you pay depends on your pet's age and breed, where you live, the vet fee limit you choose and how much excess you're willing to pay. You can typically expect to pay around...

£3.962
a month for accident-only dog insurance
£3.553
a month for accident-only cat insurance

2 51% of our customers were quoted less than £3.96 per month in June 2026 for their accident only dog insurance based on the monthly cost when paying for the policy in one annual payment, excluding any interest charged on instalment payments.

3 51% of our customers were quoted less than £3.55 per month in June 2026 for their accident only cat insurance based on the monthly cost when paying for the policy in one annual payment, excluding any interest charged on instalment payments.

What are the benefits and disadvantages of accident-only pet insurance?

Advantages

  • Usually cheaper – can be a budget-friendly way to protect a young, healthy pet against unexpected accidents 

  • Simple to understand – it’s focused on eligible accidental injuries, rather than broader illness cover 

  • Can help with big one-off bills – useful if your pet needs emergency treatment, surgery, scans or medication after an accident 

  • May cover pets of any age – some providers offer accident-only cover with no upper age limit 

Disadvantages

  • No standard illness cover – conditions such as cancer, diabetes, arthritis and skin problems usually aren’t covered 

  • Limits can be restrictive – Vet fee limits, inner limits and 12 month time limits can reduce how much you’re able to claim 

  • You’ll still pay something – excesses and co-payments mean you’ll contribute towards the claim 

  • Harder to upgrade later – any conditions or symptoms your pet has already shown signs of are likely to be treated as pre-existing and excluded by the new policy 

When is accident-only pet insurance not worth it?

Accident-only cover may be worth considering if your pet is young, healthy, accident-prone and you’re looking for a cheaper policy.

But it may not be the right fit if you:

  • Have an older pet 

  • Have a breed prone to hereditary conditions 

  • Want help with illness treatment, not just accidental injuries 

  • Couldn’t afford to pay for ongoing illness treatment yourself 

  • Would prefer broader cover that can continue year after year, if you renew. 

Bear in mind...

Illness claims – such as cancer, diabetes, arthritis and skin conditions – can make up a large share of pet insurance payouts. Accident-only cover doesn’t usually include these.

That’s why you may be better off with lifetime pet insurance in the long run, depending on your pet’s needs and your budget.

Amy Rootham

What our expert says...

“Pets are often an extension of the family and if your cat or dog is involved in an accident, it can be a traumatic experience. Also, you could be facing huge vet bills if you don’t have insurance.

“If your budget doesn’t stretch to lifetime cover, accident-only pet insurance could help. It could give you peace of mind that you’ll be able to afford the treatment your pet needs to get them back on their feet.”

Amy Rootham, Insurance expert

What do I need to get an accident-only pet insurance quote?

To compare accident-only pet insurance, you’ll need a few details about your pet, including:

  • Their gender, name and age

  • Your pet’s breed or size and how much you paid for it

  • If your cat or dog has been neutered/spayed and chipped

  • What level of cover you want for your pet

  • When you want that cover to start.

You’ll also need to share a few details about yourself. If you’ve compared with us before, we can fill those in for you.

Start a quote

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FAQs

What are the other types of pet insurance?

As well as accident-only pet insurance, you have three other options:

  • Time-limited pet insurance – can cover illnesses and accidents for up to 12 months from when the condition was first noticed or treatment started, or until the vet fee limit is used up, whichever happens first. After that, the condition is excluded, even if you renew.

  • Maximum benefit pet insurance – this could cover you for illnesses and accidents up to a maximum amount per illness or injury. Once the amount of money is used up, the condition will no longer be covered, even if you renew your policy.

  • Lifetime pet insurance – can cover conditions on an ongoing basis each year, as long as you renew the policy.

Does accident-only pet insurance cover illness caused by an accident?

Not usually. Most accident-only policies exclude illness, but some may cover illness directly linked to an accident.

Always check the policy wording so you know what’s included.

Is there a waiting period before I can make a claim?

Some accident-only policies have a short waiting period (for example, two days) before you can claim for accidental injuries, while others may cover accidents straight away.

Check the policy wording so you know exactly when accident cover starts.

Can I switch to a lifetime pet insurance policy later?

You can, but any condition your pet has already shown signs of will be treated as pre-existing and excluded by the new policy.

That’s why upgrading after a diagnosis or injury may not give you the cover you were hoping for.

Looking for something else?

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Amy Rootham
Reviewed 28 Aug 2026 by Amy Rootham Insurance expert

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.

Methodology

1Based on Trustpilot ratings (July 2026).

2 51% of our customers were quoted less than £3.96 per month in June 2026 for their accident only dog insurance based on the monthly cost when paying for the policy in one annual payment, excluding any interest charged on instalment payments.

3 51% of our customers were quoted less than £3.55 per month in June 2026 for their accident only cat insurance based on the monthly cost when paying for the policy in one annual payment, excluding any interest charged on instalment payments.