Dog insurance
- Protect your dog for less than £12.06 a month[1]
- Get covered for unexpected costs. On average, an X-ray can cost over £400 and an MRI scan over £2,500
- Enjoy a year of rewards, on us*
[1] 51% of our customers were quoted less than £12.06 per month in March 2025 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.
Get a great deal on pet insurance for your dog
Explore different policies
View a wide range of pet insurance policies from 21 leading providers[2].
Find a policy that suits you
We’ll send you a list of suitable pet dog insurance quotes, based on your preferences.
Compare prices
Compare the prices and features of each policy.
[2]Correct as of March 2025.
Why do I need dog insurance?
Dog insurance can give you financial protection if your pet becomes injured or falls ill.
According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), there were over 1.8 million pet insurance claims in 2023. With vet bills rising, taking out pet insurance for dogs could protect you from unexpected medical bills. And those bills can easily go into hundreds – if not thousands – of pounds.
How much does dog insurance cost?
How much your dog insurance will cost depends on a number of factors:
1. Age
Older dogs are more expensive to insure as they tend to need more medical care. If your dog is over a certain age, you may find your policy has more restrictions. And if your dog has a pre-existing medical condition, your dog insurance policy probably won’t cover it.
2. Breed
Pedigree dogs are typically more expensive to insure, as they’re at higher risk of developing hereditary illnesses than crossbreeds. Cover for larger breeds is usually more expensive than small dog insurance.
3. 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.
4. Where you live
Veterinary costs vary across the country. You can expect more expensive vet bills in London, for instance, so your dog insurance will cost more.
The good news is, you may be able to insure your dog for less than £145 a year[3].
[3] 51% of our customers were quoted less than £144.71 for their dog insurance in March 2025.
How can I get cheaper dog insurance?
If you’re looking to get cheaper dog insurance, try our top tips:
- Keep your dog healthy – a good diet, plenty of exercise and up-to-date vaccinations could mean fewer ailments and visits to the vets. It also means there’s less chance of you making a claim, keeping your premium costs 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.
- Shop around and compare quotes – our comparison service allows you to compare a wide range of dog insurance quotes to help you search for cover within your budget and needs.
What types of dog insurance are there?
The best dog insurance for your pet will depend on the type of cover you’re looking for. All policies have an excess you’ll need to pay towards any treatment. They also have limits on how much they’ll pay out per condition and/or an annual limit.
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. As the name suggests, it doesn’t cover illness. It’s usually the cheapest type of policy.
Time-limited dog insurance
Time-limited pet insurance covers new illnesses or conditions. But you’ll only be covered for a maximum of 12 months or up to the limits of the policy – whichever is reached first. 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. There’s no time limit on how long you can claim for a condition, but once you reach the policy limit, it’s no longer covered, even if you renew. This type of policy has a limit on how much you can claim. Once you reach that limit, you can’t claim again.
Lifetime dog insurance
Lifetime cover pet insurance covers your dog for accidents, illnesses or conditions throughout the lifetime of the policy. You’ll be covered up to the policy limit for that year. Once you reach your limit, it restarts again the following year (assuming you renew). You can then continue to claim for the same condition.
To cover ongoing conditions, 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?
The cover you get from your dog insurance will depend on the type of policy you take out and the level of protection you choose. Insurance for dogs could cover:
- Injury
- Illness
- Third-party liability – for example, if your dog damages someone’s property or injures another dog
- The cost of advertising and a reward, if your dog goes missing.
What isn’t covered by dog insurance?
Common exclusions include:
Pre-existing medical conditions
Your policy will usually tend to exclude any medical condition your dog already suffers from. This could be a chronic condition, such as heart problems or hip dysplasia.
Conditions specific to your dog’s breed may also be excluded. For example, King Charles Spaniels often suffer from eye problems and heart conditions, Labradors can develop joint conditions, while German Shepherds are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia.
Your policy may also exclude conditions your pet has suffered with in the past. So, if your dog has an old injury that flares up again, treatment might not be covered.
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.
Waiting period
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.
When you compare pet insurance for dogs, look for any exclusions and read through the T&Cs. That way you’ll know exactly what’s covered, and what’s not.
What should I look out for when choosing dog insurance?
It’s always worth checking what your dog insurance policy covers, as this can vary between insurance providers.
When it comes to choosing the best dog insurance for your pet, here are some details to look out for:
- Are emergency boarding fees covered? Not all policies offer this.
- Are you covered if your dog is stolen, or goes missing? Dog insurance could cover the costs of advertising your missing dog and, in some cases, a reward to help find them. If your dog isn’t found, some insurance providers offer a one-off payout.
- Is third-party liability insurance included? This can cover your costs if your dog causes someone an injury or damages their property.
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.
Start a quoteWhat 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.”
- Anna McEntee, Home, pet and travel insurance expert
Why use Compare the Market?
We compare 39[2] pet insurance products
51% of customers were quoted less than £145 per year[3] for their dog insurance
[2] Correct as of March 2025.
[3] 51% of our customers were quoted less than £144.71 for their dog insurance in March 2025.
Start a quoteFrequently asked questions
Is it mandatory to have dog insurance?
No, but if your dog becomes ill, is injured, hurts someone or damages their property you may find yourself with a large bill to pay. 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. Chronic infections can require 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?
Depending on the level of cover you choose, your dog insurance policy could include dental treatment. But this is usually limited to the most comprehensive policies as they’re most likely to include it.
If dental cover is important to you, check your policy wording carefully.
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 must be microchipped and registered before they’re eight weeks old – that’s the law.
What age should I insure my puppy?
You can get puppy insurance for your dog from as early as six weeks, but this can vary between providers. Of course, you can insure your dog at any age, but the earlier you get them covered, the better protected they’ll be.
If you wait too long to get your dog insured, their cover may end up excluding any conditions they develop, landing you with large vet’s bills. For peace of mind, it’s worth getting your dog insurance as early as you can.
Is cherry eye covered by pet insurance?
Yes, as long as it’s not a pre-existing or hereditary condition, pet insurance should cover your dog for cherry eye.
Does pet insurance cover Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) surgery?
You may be covered for BOAS surgery if your vet thinks it’s medically necessary. BOAS is a condition that affects flat-faced dogs like Bulldogs and Pugs. Because of the shape of their head, these types of breeds can suffer from breathing problems.
If you have a flat-faced pooch, you might want to check with your insurance provider to make sure this type of surgery is covered, if needed.
Does where I live affect the price of dog insurance?
The cost of dog insurance can vary across the UK, because the price of veterinary treatment varies. Each practice has its own costs and overheads, and you’ll see these reflected in your vet’s fees and dog’s insurance policy.
Vet treatments tend to cost more in bigger towns and cities, where wages and rent are typically higher. Dog insurance is often cheaper if you live in the countryside.
But that doesn’t mean city pet owners can’t find a great deal on their dog insurance. Shopping around is one of the best ways to find the right policy at an affordable price – no matter where you live.
Can I insure a dangerous dog?
Yes, you may be able to insure your dangerous dog, but there are conditions. If you own a breed classified as dangerous under the Dangerous Dogs Act, you’ll need to add it to the Index of Exempted Dogs (IED) and get a Certificate of Exemption.
If you manage this, you’ll be able to insure your dangerous dog. But your policy must include 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 than insuring a mixed breed. This is because pedigrees can be more vulnerable to certain genetic disorders.
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. Find out more about pedigree dog insurance.
Is there 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. However, not many policies will cover damage caused by pets, so check the terms and conditions carefully.
