Puppy insurance
- Protect your puppy for less than £11.35 a month[1]
- Get covered for unexpected costs. On average, an X-ray can cost over £300 & an MRI scan over £2,500
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Enjoy a year of fantastic rewards, on us*
[1] 51% of our customers were quoted less than £11.35 per month in December 2024 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.
What is puppy insurance?
Puppy insurance can help cover the costs of vet treatment for your pet if they are injured or become ill. Some puppy insurance policies also include other features, such as covering the cost of advertising if your puppy goes missing.
Puppy insurance is just another term for pet insurance, but the cost will take the young age of your dog into account.
When should I start thinking about puppy insurance?
There are good reasons to get your insurance sorted while your dog is still young. Most providers offer pet insurance from eight weeks old, although some will insure pets that are younger than this.
Pet insurance prices tend to increase as your dog gets older and you become more likely to make a claim. And many pet insurance policies won’t cover pre-existing health conditions. You can avoid this problem by getting longer-term pet insurance early on in your pet’s life.
Having a dog can be expensive. The PDSA states that it could cost between £4,600 and £13,000 over the animal’s lifetime, depending on the size and breed. And if you don’t have pet insurance, those costs could get even higher.
Vet bills tend to rise each year, with the average pet insurance claim being over £800. So, if your puppy gets sick and you don’t have insurance, you could end up seriously out of pocket. A dog hip replacement, for example, could cost an eye-watering £10,000 for both hips.
Compare puppy insurance policies with us today to make sure your new pet is protected. Our guide also answers any questions you may have about getting pet insurance for a puppy.
At a glance
- A puppy can cost up to £13,000 over the course of its lifetime.
- The average pet insurance claim is over £800.
- More pets are being abandoned as people struggle with the cost of looking after them.
- There are four types of puppy pet insurance: lifetime pet insurance, maximum-benefit pet insurance, time-limited pet insurance and accident-only pet insurance.
- You can typically take out puppy insurance from when your pet is eight weeks old.
What’s the best pet insurance for puppies?
The best puppy insurance is the policy that suits your dog and your budget. You’ll find four main types of puppy insurance:
Lifetime pet insurance
Lifetime pet insurance isn’t the cheapest option, but it is the most comprehensive. If you buy a lifetime policy when your puppy is young, your pet will be covered for life – provided you renew your premium every year. It can include all new and recurring conditions up to a certain cost limit.
Maximum benefit pet insurance
Your puppy will be insured up to a certain cost limit, as long as you renew your policy every year. But once you’ve claimed to that limit, your cover for that condition ends. Even if you renew, you can no longer claim for it.
Time-limited pet insurance
This covers conditions (up to a cost limit) for a maximum of 12 months from the onset of symptoms. Once the 12-month period ends or you reach your limit, you can no longer claim for that condition (even if you renew).
Accident-only pet insurance
Accident-only insurance is the cheapest option, but only covers your pet for accidents, not illness.
What does puppy insurance usually cover?
Your puppy insurance should cover vet bills, but you need to check which ones.
Your policy may also include:
- Dental cover – for dental work resulting from an accident or illness.
- Third-party liability – cover if your pet injures another dog or person, or damages their property.
- Kennel fees – if you have to go into hospital and can’t find anyone to dog-sit, this could cover the cost of kennel fees.
- Death by accident or illness – pedigree puppies can now cost upwards of £2,000. Some policies will cover you up to the value of your pet if they pass away.
- Travelling abroad – getting your pet insured for travel abroad means that you’ll be covered for medical costs – and maybe even the cost of your holiday – if anything happens while you’re away. Your policy might have restrictions though. For instance, you may be limited to travelling in Europe, so check what your insurance covers before booking.
It’s always important to check what your puppy pet insurance will actually cover. You don’t want your pup to be unwell or injured, only to find that your policy won’t pay out for the care they need.
What doesn't puppy insurance cover?
Dog insurance policies vary, but you’ll find a number of common exclusions. For example, your insurance won’t normally cover routine treatments. And you might find some conditions are excluded.
This is important to consider if your pup is a pedigree and prone to hereditary conditions.
Check your policy for the following exclusions and, if necessary, arrange specialist cover:
- Routine check-ups
- Pre-existing medical conditions
- Vaccinations
- Flea and worm treatment
- Spaying/castration
- Puppies under a certain age (six to eight weeks)
- Illnesses developing within 14 days of taking out your policy.
How much does puppy insurance cost?
How much you pay for your puppy insurance will vary, depending on what breed you have and where you live.
But pet insurance needn’t be hugely expensive. 51% of our customers were quoted less than £136.20 for their dog insurance in December 2024.
What do I need to get a quote?
Simply tell us a few details about your dog and we’ll show you a range of puppy insurance quotes. That way you can compare prices and policy details to search for the right puppy insurance for you.
On average, it takes 4 minutes[1] to complete a pet insurance quote through Compare the Market.
[1] Correct as of December 2024.
Start a quoteFrequently asked questions
Why should I insure my puppy?
Insuring a puppy isn’t a legal requirement, but it could cover costs if your dog gets sick or is injured in an accident. It can also help cover the cost if your puppy injures someone or another dog, or damages something.
Unfortunately, pets – like people – are prone to getting sick and having accidents. And vet bills can be extremely expensive. With the right pet insurance for puppies in place, you won’t have to make decisions about your puppy’s health based on finances alone.
Which puppies cost most to insure?
Large breeds cost more than smaller breeds over the pet’s lifetime, according to the PDSA. But there are exceptions – breeds like pugs, which are notorious for breathing problems, can be expensive to insure. And German Shepherds are prone to hip problems, which could again prove costly.
What health issues affect puppies?
Puppies can be affected by several kinds of health issues including:
- Infectious diseases – until they’ve completed their vaccinations (at around four months), puppies are at risk from infectious diseases. These include canine distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and leptospirosis.
- Birth defects – these could be abnormalities in any part of the body or organ system and might prevent normal development and growth.
- Parasites – it’s fairly common for puppies to develop these nasty little intestinal visitors, such as roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms.
- Stomach upsets – puppies can be prone to gastrointestinal pains due to stress, illness or even too many treats.
How can I help keep my puppy healthy?
To help keep your puppy healthy, register them with your vet within the first few weeks and arrange a health-check.
On your first visit, your vet will probably ask where you bought your puppy, and if you have any details about their parents.
Your vet will then give your puppy a physical examination, including:
- Checking their eyes and ears
- Examining their mouth
- Examining their coat
- Taking their temperature
- Weighing them
- Listening to their chest (heart and breathing)
- Feeling their abdomen.
Your puppy will need its first vaccinations at around eight weeks old. You’re also legally required to have your puppy microchipped by the time it’s eight weeks old. If you don’t, you could be fined and it may also invalidate your pet insurance.
Does pet insurance cover dental care?
Some pet insurance policies will cover you for dental accidents and emergencies, but most don’t cover routine dental care.
Which type of puppy insurance should I go for?
The type of puppy dog insurance you go for will depend on your needs and your budget. It may be tempting to go for the cheapest puppy insurance policy you can find – but this could be a false economy.
As a rule, the cheaper the policy, the more exclusions it’s likely to have. When you make your decision, consider your pet’s breed and how likely it is to develop congenital issues.
It’s also important to know that only lifetime pet insurance will cover your pet each year. Other types of pet insurance will only cover certain conditions for a set period, usually 12 months.
