Dog insurance

Q: What are the most common dog health problems?

Dogs often suffer with: Ear infections – these can be caused by allergies, yeast or ear mites and chronic infections can need surgery Worms – worm infestations can be serious. Depending on the type of parasite, your vet can prescribe medication Fleas – your vet can advise you on the best flea treatment for your dog Dermatitis – this bacterial infection can be bothersome if left untreated. Your vet can prescribe antibiotics, anti-inflammatory treatments or steroids Vomiting – this can be caused by anything from parasites to pancreatitis.

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With vet bills rising, pet insurance can give you peace of mind

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^{^}10% of our customers were quoted less than £3.96 per month in June 2026.

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Why do I need dog insurance?

Dog insurance can help cover the cost if your pet becomes injured or falls ill.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) reported 1.8 million pet insurance claims in 2024, with £933 million paid out for dogs. With vet bills rising and some easily running into hundreds – if not thousands – of pounds, having adequate cover can give you peace of mind.

For instance, the ABI says it can cost more than £5,000 to treat the common condition elbow dysplasia. This is because bills need to be paid for the full cost of treating the condition (which can last for many years), including:

Rehab
Physio post-surgery
Medication.

How does dog insurance work?

Choose a policy

Compare dog insurance policies to find one that works for you. All policies have limits on how much they’ll pay out, either per condition or year.

Pay the premium

Once you’ve chosen a policy, you’ll pay a monthly or annual premium to keep your cover in place. Many policies will automatically renew each year unless you opt out.

Make a claim

If your dog falls ill or gets injured, you may have to pay the vet upfront and then claim back costs from your insurance provider.

You’ll also have to pay an excess towards any treatment and some policies(particularly for older dogs) may have a co-payment arrangement.

Quick tip

The excess is a set amount you agree to pay towards any claim before your insurance provider then pays out.

What are co-payments and how do they work?

A co-payment is when you agree to pay a percentage (typically 20%) of your pet’s vet bills after the excess has been deducted. Some pet policies offer it to help keep costs down.

Keep in mind that:

You’ll need to make sure you can afford to pay it on top of any excess
Many pet insurance providers automatically add a co-payment as your dog gets older.

How much is dog insurance?

How much your dog insurance will cost depends on a number of factors:

Age

Older dogs often cost more to insure and may have more cover restrictions. Most policies also won’t cover pre-existing conditions.

Breed

Pedigree and larger dogs are typically more expensive to insure, as they’re at higher risk of developing hereditary illnesses than crossbreeds.

Type of cover

Policies range from basic accident-only – typically the cheapest type of cover – to lifetime pet insurance, the most comprehensive and expensive type of cover.

Where you live

Veterinary costs vary across the country, so premiums are often higher in areas with more expensive treatment costs, such as London.

How much is dog insurance per month?

Customers searching for dog insurance on Compare the Market are typically quoted less than £9.84² per month.

But what you actually pay will be based on a whole variety of risk factors, including the ones mentioned above.

How can I get cheaper dog insurance?

If you’re looking to find cheap dog insurance, try our top tips:

Compare dog insurance

Keep your dog healthy

A good diet, plenty of exercise and up-to-date vaccinations could mean fewer vet visits and lowering the chances of needing to claim, keeping your premium down.

Neuter or spay your dog

Neutering and spaying could lower the risk of your dog developing a serious illness. This can also potentially lower your premiums.

Adjust your excess

Think about paying a higher excess towards any claim – if you can afford it – to help keep your premiums down.

Consider the type of policy carefully

Choosing carefully between policy types can be a way of cutting your costs. Each one has pros and cons, so it comes down to what’s right for you and your dog over the long term.

Use a dog insurance comparison tool

Our comparison service lets you compare a wide range of dog insurance quotes. This can help you search for cover within your budget and needs.

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What types of dog insurance are there?

There are four main types of pet insurance for dogs:

Accident-only dog insurance

Accident-only pet insurance covers your vet bills if your dog gets into an accident. It doesn’t cover illness and is usually the cheapest type of policy.

Time-limited dog insurance

Time-limited pet insurance covers new illnesses or conditions but only for 12 months or until you hit the policy time limit. After that, your policy won’t cover that condition, even if you renew.

Maximum benefit dog insurance

Maximum benefit pet insurance covers your dog for illnesses and accidents and has no time limit on how long you can claim but does have an amount limit. Once you reach the set policy amount limit, it’s no longer covered, even if you renew.

Lifetime dog insurance

Lifetime cover pet insurance covers your dog for accidents, illnesses or ongoing conditions as long as you keep renewing each year. You’ll be covered up to your annual chosen limit and this resets again the following year if you renew. You can then continue to claim for the same condition.

If your dog has an ongoing condition, you’ll need to stay with the same insurance provider unless you:

Switch to a policy with pre-existing condition cover, or
Decide you no longer want to cover the condition.

What does pet insurance for dogs cover?

What’s typically covered

Vet fees

Includes the cost of consultations, examinations and diagnostic tests such as X-rays and MRI scans. It can also cover medication, surgery and hospitalisation

Third-party liability

If your dog damages someone’s property or injures another dog, third-party liability cover can help with legal fees and compensation costs

Lost or stolen dogs

Some policies will cover advertising costs if your dog goes missing or is stolen. Some even cover a reward for their safe return

Boarding fees

Covers the cost of putting your dog in kennels if you’re hospitalised for emergency medical treatment. You’ll usually have to be in hospital for a minimum number of days to make a claim

What isn’t typically covered

Pre-existing medical conditions

Medical conditions your dog already suffers from. This could be a chronic condition - such as heart problems or hip dysplasia - or a past condition that flares up again 

Routine treatment

Pet insurance doesn’t usually cover routine and preventative treatment. This will include vaccinations, castration or flea and worm treatments

Pregnancy

Treatments relating to pregnancy, giving birth and newborns aren’t usually covered

Routine dental treatment

While many policies will cover emergency dental work, most won’t cover routine treatment like a scale and polish or teeth extractions

A couple more things to keep in mind:

When you take out your dog’s insurance policy, there may be a waiting period. You won’t be able claim during this time – usually the first 14 days. Check your policy’s waiting period as this can vary
Some policies let you pay to add optional extras, such as dental illness and cover for cremation and burial costs.

When you compare pet insurance for dogs, look for any exclusions and read through the T&Cs.

How do I get a quote to insure my dog?

To get a dog insurance quote, we’ll need a few details about you and your pet, including:

Your dog’s age and breed
Details of any pre-existing medical conditions
Your personal details, including postcode
The type of cover you want.

We’ll then send you a list of suitable quotes to compare.

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What our expert says...

“If you need to claim on your dog insurance, ask your insurance provider how this will be paid. Some pay directly, while others require you to pay the vet bills and then claim the money back.”

Amy Rootham, Insurance expert

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See how liability cover helps with injury or property damage claims

See all our pet insurance guides

FAQs

Is it mandatory to have dog insurance?

No, dog insurance isn’t a legal must-have. But if your dog becomes ill, is injured, hurts someone or causes property damage, costs can add up quickly. Pet insurance could help you cover these eventualities.

What are the most common dog health problems?

Dogs often suffer with:

Ear infections – these can be caused by allergies, yeast or ear mites and chronic infections can need surgery
Worms – worm infestations can be serious. Depending on the type of parasite, your vet can prescribe medication
Fleas – your vet can advise you on the best flea treatment for your dog
Dermatitis – this bacterial infection can be bothersome if left untreated. Your vet can prescribe antibiotics, anti-inflammatory treatments or steroids
Vomiting – this can be caused by anything from parasites to pancreatitis.

Can you get insurance for working dogs?

Most standard pet insurance policies don’t cover working dogs because they’re more likely to be injured. So, if you have a guide dog or a working gun dog, for example, you’ll need to look for a specialist policy.

Does pet insurance cover dental treatment?

Most dog insurance policies include some form of dental treatment, but they tend to be limited, so check your wording carefully. For example, some only cover:

Dental trauma, such as your dog breaking a tooth in an accident, or
Things like gum disease and tooth decay.

But even if you have dental cover for your dog, it’s unlikely to cover routine dental treatments such as a scale and polish.

Can I cover more than one dog on the same policy?

Yes, you can find insurance providers that offer multi-pet insurance policies.

Unfortunately, Compare the Market doesn’t currently compare multi-pet insurance policies.

Is it a legal requirement to microchip my dog?

Yes, all dogs legally must be microchipped and registered before they’re eight weeks old.

What age should I insure my puppy?

You can get puppy insurance from as early as four weeks old but this can vary between providers.

The earlier you get them covered, the better protected they’ll be, as any conditions that develop before you take out a policy may be excluded later.

Is cherry eye covered by pet insurance?

Yes, cherry eye can be covered by pet insurance if it’s not a pre-existing or hereditary condition.

Does pet insurance cover BOAS surgery?

You may be covered for Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) surgery if a vet thinks it’s medically necessary, but some policies might exclude breed-specific conditions.

Flat-faced dogs such as Bulldogs and Pugs can suffer from breathing problems. So, it’s worth checking your policy covers this type of surgery if you have one of these dogs.

Does where I live affect the price of dog insurance?

Yes, where you live can affect the price of dog insurance because vet treatment costs vary across the UK.

Vet treatments costs are often higher in larger towns and cities but shopping around can still help you find a policy to suit your budget.

Can I insure a dangerous dog?

Yes, you may be able to insure your dangerous dog, but under the Dangerous Dogs Act, you’ll need to:

Add it to the Index of Exempted Dogs (IED), and
Get a Certificate of Exemption
Make sure your policy includes third-party liability cover.

You can’t currently compare dog insurance for dangerous dogs through Compare the Market, so you’ll need to find specialist insurance providers.

Can I get insurance for my pedigree dog?

Yes, you can get dog insurance for your pedigree, but it might be more expensive because pedigrees can be more prone to hereditary conditions.

When you compare dog insurance with Compare the Market, be sure to mention that your dog is a pedigree, as this will affect your quote.

Can I get accidental pet damage insurance?

It’s possible to get accidental damage cover, but this needs to be bought as an add-on to your home insurance, not your pet insurance.

Be aware that not many policies will cover damage caused by pets, so check the terms and conditions carefully.

What is the best dog insurance?

The best dog insurance for your pet will depend on your dog’s needs, your budget and the type of cover you’re looking for. It’s also worth reading customer reviews of providers to see which are rated highly by other pet owners.

Is dog insurance worth it?

Most dogs will need treatment at some point in their lives, so having insurance can provide a financial safety net against expensive vet bills.

When deciding whether dog insurance is right for you, think about:

Your budget
Your pet’s health
How risky they are to cover.

Weighing up the potential cost of treatment against the annual premium can help you work out how cost-effective it is.

Does dog insurance cover neutering?

No, dog insurance doesn’t typically cover the cost of neutering or spaying. 

Most standard policies are designed to cover unexpected illness or injury rather than routine or preventative procedures.

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Reviewed 09 Jun 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 £9.84 per month in June 2026 for their dog insurance based on the monthly cost when paying for the policy in one annual payment, excluding any interest charged on instalment payments.