Pet insurance

Cover you can rely on for your four-legged friend

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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 £3.93 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 £3.93 a month in Sept 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.

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Compare pet cover from trusted providers, including:

What pet are you looking to insure?

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Cat

Kitten or senior cat, moggy or purebred, we can help you find cover for your feline friend.

Dog

Puppy or older dog, pedigree or mutt, you can compare a range of policies.

Why do I need pet insurance?

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.

Did you know?

Average prices of vet services rose by 63% between 2016 and 2023 – that's according to the Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) Veterinary services for household pets report, published in March 2026.

What are the different types of pet insurance policy?

Policy type	How your vet fee limit works	What’s covered	Can be suited to
Lifetime pet insurance	Claim up to a set amount each policy year. This resets to the full amount when you renew, although some conditions may have claim limits.	Accidents, injuries and illnesses that start while your pet is 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.
Maximum benefit pet insurance	Claim up to a set amount for each condition with no time limit if you keep renewing. Once you hit that limit, 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.
Time-limited pet insurance	Claim for up to 12 months from when your or your vet first notice the condition/symptoms, 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.
Accident-only pet insurance	Claim for accidents up to a set amount. These policies usually don’t cover compensation if your pet dies, advertising costs and financial rewards if they go missing, alternative treatments, or 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 both sides of the body as one condition, so it shares the same limit. For example, cruciate ligament injuries in both back legs.

Whichever type of cover you choose, check the limit would stretch to a real bill, as some treatments run into thousands.

To give you an idea, TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy) surgery is commonly carried out to treat cranial cruciate ligament disease in dogs. There is a fixed cost of £2070 to do this through the not-for-profit Animal Trust, but prices can exceed £5000 at specialist referral centres.

How much does pet insurance cost?

The price of your cover depends on things such as 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.

Here’s a rough idea of what customers using Compare the Market are typically quoted:

Pet	Monthly premium (excluding interest)	Annual premium
Dog	£9.79²	£117.48³
Cat	£5.32⁴	£64⁵

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What affects the cost of pet insurance?

Policy type

More comprehensive cover (such as lifetime insurance) usually costs more.

Vet fee limit

Your vet fee limit is the most your insurer will pay towards treatment, either per condition or per policy year. A lower limit usually means a cheaper premiums, but it may not cover all the treatment your pet needs.

Tests such as CT scans or endoscopy can cost over £1,000 each, and treatments such as fracture repair can cost over £1,400 – so your pet’s care could hit the limit more quickly than you might think.

Excess size

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. This means you pay a set percentage of the bill after the excess has been taken off.

Insurance provider

Each provider sets prices based on things like past claims history and how risky they think a pet is to insure.

Pet age and health

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.

Pet type and breed

Some dog breeds are more likely to inherit certain health conditions.

For example, French Bulldogs are at risk of developing Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS).

Spayed/neutered status

This can reduce health risks linked to breeding and pregnancy and may make pets less likely to stray.

Where you live

A trip to the vets may be more expensive in certain areas.

Bear in mind...

The cheapest pet insurance policy may save you money, but it might not give you the cover you want. If your pet needs treatment, you could end up with fewer care options.

Did you know that a total hip replacement for your pet could cost more than £8,000, depending on your pet’s age, breed and the complexity of the surgery?

How can I get a pet insurance quote?

Simply use the Compare the Market pet insurance comparison tool to get a quote in minutes.

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Tell us the basics

Let us know about you, your pet and the type of cover you’re looking for.

Compare policies

You'll see a list of suitable policies so you can compare the different features and costs.

Protect your pet

Choose a policy that suits your needs and give your pet the protection they deserve.

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What does pet insurance cover?

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:

Typically covered

Vet fees and treatment

If your pet is ill or injured

Diagnostic tests and scans

As part of treatment for a covered condition – cover limits may apply

Emergency dental treatment

After an accidental injury, if your pet’s check-ups are kept up to date

Advertising fees and reward money

If your pet goes missing

Compensation

If your pet dies or goes missing and can't be found

Kennel and cattery fees

If you’re temporarily unable to care for your pet. You may need to be in hospital for a set number of days before you can claim

Third-party liability cover (dogs only)

If your dog injures someone, causes an accident or damages someone’s property

Alternative treatments

Such as physio, acupuncture or homeopathy, if your vet recommends them

Overseas emergency vet costs (up to 90 days)

If you take your pet abroad to certain countries and follow the Pet Travel Scheme rules

Putting your pet to sleep

And other costs related to euthanasia

Burial or cremation costs

Up to a set limit

Not typically covered

Treatment for pre-existing conditions

Injuries, illnesses and symptoms your pet already had when you took out the policy

Vaccinations and boosters

Cover for a condition that routine vaccinations could have prevented is also likely to be excluded

Illnesses or injuries that happen in the ‘waiting period’

This is usually the first 14 days after taking out a policy, though it may be shorter for accidents

Microchipping your pet

This is required by law for dogs (before they’re eight weeks old) and pet cats (in England, by 20 weeks old)

Neutering or spaying your pet

Other preventative treatments are also unlikely to be included

Routine medical treatment

Such as annual check-ups, worming and flea treatments

Routine dental care

And dental treatment caused by illness

Cosmetic treatments

This also extends to other voluntary medical treatments not recommended by a vet

Pregnancy care

Always check your cover first if you plan on breeding your pet

Death benefit above certain ages

Typically around 10 for cats and 8 for dogs

Restricted breeds

Breeds covered by the Dangerous Dogs Act

Bear in mind...

If your pet is ill or injured during the waiting period, you’ll need to pay for any tests and treatment yourself.

The condition will also be classed as pre-existing and won’t be covered under your policy.

How does pet insurance work?

Pay your premium to get cover

You usually pay an insurer a monthly or yearly fee. If your pet becomes ill or injured, your insurer covers some or all of the cost

Make a claim

To make a claim, you’ll usually contact your provider directly

Get a payout

The provider reviews the claim and, if approved, pay out based on the terms of your policy.

How can I get cheaper pet insurance?

Start a quote for pet insurance now

Choose a contribution policy

Where you pay a percentage of the claim on top of the compulsory excess

Keep your pet healthy

A good diet, exercise, and routine care for your pet could help prevent some health problems and keep vet bills down

Vaccinate your pet and don’t miss booster jabs

If your pet gets an illness that vaccinations could have prevented, your provider might refuse to pay out

Spay or neuter your pet

This can help reduce the risk of certain conditions and could lower your premiums too

Choose your breed wisely

Pedigree dogs and cats can make wonderful pets but might be more prone to inherited conditions. That can make them more expensive to insure

Compare pet insurance quotes

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.

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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 and procedures, such as a foreign body removal.

“For example, Animal Trust charges £1045 for basic intestinal surgery, but a specialist clinic can start their pricing from £3,600.

“Ultimately, you can’t know exactly what future vet costs might 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.”

Amy Rootham, Insurance expert

Does pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?

Typically, most pet insurance policies won’t cover pre-existing conditions. These are conditions your pet had before the policy started, such as diabetes.

Historical pre-existing conditions

You may be able to find a specialist policy that covers historical pre-existing conditions.

These are conditions your pet had in the past but hasn’t had symptoms of or needed treatment for during a set period, such as the last two years
But these types of specialist policies are rare and might not cover all conditions.

Worsening pre-existing 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.

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

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
It can be easier to manage, with 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 check whether you can add another pet to your policy.

What do I need to compare pet insurance?

To compare pet insurance with us, we’ll need to know:

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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

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Learn about pet insurance

Explore cover types, what’s included and how to protect your pet

Costs & claims

Is pet insurance worth it?

Weigh up the pros and cons, including costs and cover options

Costs & claims

How much does pet insurance cost?

We explain what can affect prices and how to cut the cost of your premium

Costs & claims

Claiming on pet insurance

Find out what policies usually cover and how to make a claim

Cover & policy

Are vet fees covered by pet insurance?

See which treatments and conditions policies may include

See all our pet insurance guides

FAQs

What is co-insurance?

Co-insurance means you pay a percentage of the vet bill when you claim, on top of your 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.

Is it worth paying for pet insurance?

It depends on whether you could pay a large vet bill without cover. Pet insurance could protect you from costly vet fees if the unexpected happens. Even indoor pets can get into scrapes or fall ill.

Does lifetime insurance mean I’m covered forever once I’ve bought it?

No, lifetime pet insurance still needs renewing each year. It usually means your vet fee limit resets when you renew, so eligible ongoing conditions can stay covered year after year.

Annual or time-limited pet insurance normally covers each condition for up to 12 months, or until you hit the vet fee limit. After this, the condition is usually excluded from future claims.

Do I need to pay an excess for pet insurance?

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 extra amount you choose to pay on top of the set excess, usually to lower your premium
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 tell you if the excess is likely to change as your pet gets older.

What should I do if my pet goes missing?

If your dog or cat is microchipped and they go missing, first contact the microchipping company to see if they’ve been handed in anywhere. If not:

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.

Can I travel with my pet to Europe?

You can travel to Europe with your pet, but:

You’ll need to get an animal health certificate (AHC) to travel to an EU country, or an export health certificate if it's a non-EU country
You’ll need to prove your pet has a microchip and a valid rabies vaccination
There may be other requirements depending on the country 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 it, so check when comparing policies.

How do I claim on pet insurance?

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 the treatment needed 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.

What happens if I can’t afford vet bills?

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 (check any interest and fees first)
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.

Will property be covered if my pet damages it?

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.

Does pet insurance cover ‘cherry eye’ in dogs?

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 is a problem with the dog’s third eyelid. Medication may help, 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.

Does pet insurance cover BOAS surgery?

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 to see if your cover includes BOAS treatment and eventual surgery if needed.

Looking for something else?

Cat insurance

Compare pet insurance for older cats

Dog insurance

Reviewed 28 Oct 2026 byAmy RoothamInsurance expert

Amy helps make comparing insurance simpler and clearer. 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 (October 2026).

²51% of our customers were quoted less than £9.79 per month in September 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.

³ 51% of our customers were quoted less than £117.48 for their dog insurance in September 2026.

⁴ 51% of our customers were quoted less than £5.32 per month in September 2026 for their cat insurance based on the monthly cost when paying for the policy in one annual payment, excluding any interest charged on instalment payments.

⁵ 51% of our customers were quoted less than £63.84 for their cat insurance in September 2026.