60-second summary
Want a quick look at pet insurance for older dogs? Here are the main need-to-knows:
As your dog reaches its senior years, you should expect your pet insurance premiums to increase.
Older dogs are more prone to chronic conditions, so there’s a higher chance of you needing to claim.
If your pet has pre-existing conditions, it might be cheaper to renew your current policy rather than trying to find a new deal.
Although it can be expensive, a lifetime policy may offer the best protection for an older dog.
Shopping around and comparing quotes could help you find cheaper cover for your faithful friend.
When is my dog considered ‘older’?
You’ll probably notice that your dog starts slowing down at around the age of seven. But this can vary, with middle age coming sooner for some larger breeds.
According to the RSPCA, the average lifespan of a purebred dog is 11.9 years. For their crossbreed pals, it’s around 13.1 years.
You’ll notice changes in your pet’s behaviour and health as they grow older. They may be slower and less inclined to chase that ball on long walks in the park, and might also doze more during the day.
You may also find that your pet insurance becomes more complicated and your premiums more expensive as your dog gets older.
Does pet insurance have an age limit?
Some pet insurance providers have an upper age limit, but others will let you start a new policy for your pet at any age.
Some may also charge a higher excess for older dogs, and remove cover for death by illness. So, make sure you check these things when comparing quotes.
What types of pet insurance are available for older dogs?
Lifetime
Lifetime pet insurance tends to be the most expensive option, but it can be the best choice for older dogs. If you want to make sure your pooch receives the care they deserve as they get older, a lifetime policy covers your dog for as long as you renew the policy.
If you decide to switch policies, most new policies won’t cover pre-existing conditions.
Maximum benefit
Maximum benefit pet insurance insures your dog for a set amount per condition. This may help you save on your insurance. Just make sure you get cover for the right amount. Otherwise, you may find you’re only able to claim for part of their treatment cost.
Once the limit per condition is used up, you can no longer claim for the condition, even if you renew the policy.
Time-limited
Time-limited pet insurance provides shorter-term cover for 12 months from the onset of a condition. Once that period ends, or you’ve used up the cost limit of the policy (whichever happens first), you can no longer claim on the policy, even if you renew.
Accident-only
Accident-only pet insurance is best suited to healthy dogs and owners on a budget. It will only cover vet fees for your pet if they have an accident. It won’t cover illnesses.
Find out more about the different types of dog insurance.
How much is pet insurance for older dogs?
It depends on your circumstances, but taking out a new policy for an older dog will likely be more expensive than insuring a puppy.
However, age isn’t the only thing that’s used to calculate your premium. The breed of dog will also be taken into consideration. For example, some breeds are more susceptible to certain health problems than others. Pedigree dogs in particular can be vulnerable to certain hereditary conditions.
Finally, the type of policy you take out will play a large part. If you’re insuring against accidents only, you’re likely to get a cheaper quote than you would for a policy that protects your dog against both accidents and illnesses.
Your dog is unique, so their insurance will be too. A quick way to get an idea of how much it might cost to insure your dog is to compare quotes with Compare the Market.
Compare dog insuranceWhen should I get insurance for my dog?
Ideally, you should insure your dog from when they’re a pup, usually from the age of eight weeks.
This isn’t just to make sure they get the care they need and to protect yourself from big vets’ bills. Most pet insurance providers won’t cover pre-existing conditions – so it makes sense to start a policy for your pup before they develop any.
Why is pet insurance for older dogs more expensive?
Just like us, as your dog gets older, the chances of them developing chronic conditions or dental issues increases. So they’re more likely to need medical care.
Common medical conditions in older animals include:
Gum disease
Diabetes
Blindness
Kidney disease
Cancer
Dementia.
These health problems often lead to people claiming on their pet insurance, to help get the care their dog needs. Ultimately, this means higher premiums for owners of older dogs.
How can I get cheaper insurance for an older dog?
You may be able to find a cheaper pet insurance deal if you look for policies designed for older pets.
Some providers specialise in covering senior dogs, but keep an eye out for their policy exclusions.
You could also follow our top tips to drive the cost of your policy down:
Check you have the right level of cover to suit your pet’s needs, so you don’t find yourself paying for things you don’t need
Check whether your pet is entitled to free treatment
Keep your pet healthy
Check for insurance providers that offer multi-pet discounts
Compare pet insurance quotes.
Check out more of our top tips on how to get cheaper pet insurance.
What do I need to consider when insuring an older dog?
It’s harder to get insurance for older dogs, especially a dog with pre-existing conditions. This is because most new policies will exclude any pre-existing conditions.
If your dog has pre-existing conditions, it’s often better to renew an existing policy, rather than trying to find a new deal.
If you’re buying a new policy and you’re thinking about choosing a new provider, look out for:
Pre-existing conditions – some insurance providers won’t insure an older dog who already has health conditions. Those that will insure your dog will almost certainly exclude any claims relating to those conditions.
Excess – this is the amount you’d have to pay before being able to claim on your insurance cover.
What’s covered – in addition to vet bills, some policies will also:
Pay out in the event of the dog’s death
Cover bereavement counselling, should it be needed.
Third-party liability – this covers any injuries to somebody else or damage to their property caused by your dog.
Loss or theft – some insurance providers will pay towards the cost of finding a lost dog. Similarly, if your dog is stolen, you might be able to get back some of the purchase price.
Kennel fees – if you need a professional to take care of your pooch, boarding fees can be expensive. Look out for a policy that can help with the costs.
Age limits – some insurance providers will set an age limit that could prevent you from renewing. They could also increase the excess, or reduce the cover options for dogs of a certain age. Ask yourself if you’re prepared to look for another quote when your current policy ends.
What’s the best pet insurance for an older dog?
It might be the most expensive, but a lifetime policy could offer the best protection for your older dog. That’s because it’ll always cover them, so long as you keep paying the premiums.
If you take it out when they’re younger, it should cover any conditions your dog may develop as they get older.
Compare dog insurance options
From puppies to old faithfuls, it’s easy to compare dog cover from a range of the UK’s most popular insurance providers.
Simply enter a few details and we’ll show you what cover could be available to you and your dog, what it’ll cost and the policy details. It could take just a few minutes to protect your pooch with the care it deserves.
FAQs
Does pet insurance cover euthanasia?
Not all policies cover the costs of putting your dog to sleep and their cremation or burial.
Some may cover euthanasia if it’s medically necessary and your pet’s condition is covered under your plan. It’s best to read your policy documents or contact your insurance company to check if you’re covered.
Some providers also offer optional burial or cremation cover, which can be added to your policy for an extra fee.
When should I take an older dog to the vet?
According to animal charities, these are among the signs that you should take your older dog to the vet:
Change in appetite
Drinking more than normal
Weight loss
Smelly breath
Lumps or bumps, especially if they’re rapidly getting bigger
Developing a cough
Changes in behaviour, like becoming aggressive.
It can be difficult to work out whether your pet is showing signs of ageing or they have symptoms of a more serious medical problem.
How does co-insurance work?
Co-insurance, or co-payment, is when you pay a percentage towards a claim on top of the fixed excess (the set amount you pay towards an insurance claim). Some policies require you to do this.
Co-payment can vary between policies but is typically 10% or 20%. This usually increases with the age of your furry friend.
For example:
If you’re claiming for £500 and your fixed excess is £100:
£500-£100 = £400
Minus a 10% co-insurance payment:
£400-£40 = £360
The amount you’ll receive from your insurance provider will be £360.
Although the final payout would be less, opting to make a voluntary co-insurance payment could help reduce the cost of your overall premium.
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Allie has spent her career helping people quickly understand complicated topics, to help them save money and focus on what matters. With almost 10 years’ experience writing, leading and managing content, she is an expert in personal finance and insurance products.
Stephen Maunder is an experienced personal finance editor, having spent more than a decade working for consumer print and online titles. He won several industry awards for his personal finance features at Which?, before becoming Deputy Editor at Compare the Market.
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.
Our content is written by a Compare the Market expert, backed by data and enhanced by technology. Find out how we ensure accuracy and quality in our Editorial Guidelines.
