Compare dog insurance policies, find the best dog insurance policy for you and have the peace of mind that your dog’s health is protected should the unexpected happen.
Dog Insurance is for the unthinkable, so you can give your furry friend the best possible care when they are in need.
If your dog needs emergency veterinary care following an accident, or treatment for an illness or health problem, the cost of tests, treatment and care can mount up alarmingly quickly. Dog insurance is there to help you meet your best friend's vet bills if the worst happens, so you can rest assured you can afford the best possible care.
What is the best dog insurance policy for your perfect pup?
With so many possible providers and types of policy it is important to compare a range of insurers to find a policy which best suits your, and your dog’s needs. There is a policy for everyone so don’t worry if your dog is older or has some health issues already; you will be able to find cover to suit your needs.
Compare the most popular dog insurance policy’s key features using the table below. Check each insurers reviews to understand what it's like to be one of their customers. Once you’ve narrowed down the options, click the ‘Get a quote’ buttons to compare personalised quotes from your shortlist and rest assured you’ve done all you can to make the right choice!
We display the insurers below in order of rank (see below for more details as to how we calculate an insurer’s rank). Payments from insurers do not influence the rating or ranking each insurer is given on our site however please note that in the table below, insurers with whom we have a commercial arrangement appear before other insurers regardless of rating or ranking.
Click on the tabs below to review the different types of policy offered by each insurance provider, compare the key policy features and get a quote.
Lifetime Cover, provides cover for your pet’s lifetime and will cover treatment of long term conditions. Exclusions and conditions will apply, check your chosen insurers policy documents carefully.
Average Rating
Ranked
Lifetime Cover (£7,500)
Illness - 10 days when you first buy your policy.
From 8 weeks. Max age limit depends on species and breed.
Choice of Excess amount per condition each year. You pay 10% of vet costs once the excess is deducted.
Vet Fee cover of £7,500 cover per year for all vet fees for accidents or illnesses. Choice of Excess and 10% contribution to all costs over the Excess amount apply.
Average Rating
Ranked
Lifetime Higher Cover (£15,000 or £20,000)
Illness - 10 days when you first buy your policy.
From 8 weeks. Max age limit depends on species and breed
Choice of Excess amount per condition each year. You pay 10% of vet costs once the excess is deducted.
Vet Fee cover of £15,000 per year for all vet fees for accidents or illnesses. Choice of Excess amount and 10% contribution to all costs over the Excess amount apply.
Average Rating
Ranked
Lifetime Cover (£3,000 or £6,500)
Illness - 10 days when you first buy your policy.
From 8 weeks. Max age limit depends on species and breed
Choice of Excess amount per condition each year. You pay 10% of vet costs once the excess is deducted.
Lifetime cover of £6,500 cover per year for all vet fees for accidents or illnesses. Choice of Excess and 10% contribution to all costs over the Excess amount apply.
Average Rating
Ranked
Lifetime Higher Cover (£12,500 or £20,000)
Illness - 10 days when you first buy your policy.
From 8 weeks. Max age limit depends on species and breed
Choice of Excess amount per condition each year. You pay 10% of vet costs once the excess is deducted.
Lifetime cover of £12,500 per year for all vet fees for accidents or illnesses. Choice of Excess amount and 10% contribution to all costs over the Excess amount apply.
Average Rating
Ranked
Lifetime Cover £2,000
2 days for accidents; 14 days for illness.
8 weeks minimum age. No upper age limit for existing policies. Upper age limits for new policies depend on the breed.
The excess is £110 per condition, per policy year. If pet is 4 years or older at the time of claiming, you also pay a 15% contribution to the balance of the claim, after the £110 excess has been paid. This increases to 25% from the age of 7 years and 30% from the age of 12 years.
We will pay for Veterinary Fees for each new medical condition. You will be covered for Veterinary Fees up to £2000 each year and this will be reinstated each year providing cover is made available to You and You continue to renew Your Policy with Us
Average Rating
Ranked
Lifetime Cover £3,000
2 days for accidents; 14 days for illness.
8 weeks minimum age. No upper age limit for existing policies. Upper age limits for new policies depend on the breed.
The excess is £110 per condition, per policy year. If pet is 4 years or older at the time of claiming, you also pay a 15% contribution to the balance of the claim, after the £110 excess has been paid. This increases to 25% from the age of 7 years and 30% from the age of 12 years.
We will pay for Veterinary Fees for each new medical condition. You will be covered for Veterinary Fees up to £3000 each year and this will be reinstated each year providing cover is made available to You and You continue to renew Your Policy with Us
Average Rating
Ranked
Lifetime Cover £4,000
2 days for accidents; 14 days for illness.
8 weeks minimum age. No upper age limit for existing policies. Upper age limits for new policies depend on the breed.
The excess is £110 per condition, per policy year. If pet is 4 years or older at the time of claiming, you also pay a 15% contribution to the balance of the claim, after the £110 excess has been paid. This increases to 25% from the age of 7 years and 30% from the age of 12 years.
We will pay for Veterinary Fees for each new medical condition. You will be covered for Veterinary Fees up to £4000 each year and this will be reinstated each year providing cover is made available to You and You continue to renew Your Policy with Us
Average Rating
Ranked
Lifetime Cover £6,000
2 days for accidents; 14 days for illness.
8 weeks minimum age. No upper age limit for existing policies. Upper age limits for new policies depend on the breed.
The excess is £110 per condition, per policy year. If pet is 4 years or older at the time of claiming, you also pay a 15% contribution to the balance of the claim, after the £110 excess has been paid. This increases to 25% from the age of 7 years and 30% from the age of 12 years.
We will pay for Veterinary Fees for each new medical condition. You will be covered for Veterinary Fees up to £6000 each year and this will be reinstated each year providing cover is made available to You and You continue to renew Your Policy with Us
Average Rating
Ranked
Lifetime Cover £10,000
2 days for accidents; 14 days for illness.
8 weeks minimum age. No upper age limit for existing policies. Upper age limits for new policies depend on the breed.
The excess is £110 per condition, per policy year. If pet is 4 years or older at the time of claiming, you also pay a 15% contribution to the balance of the claim, after the £110 excess has been paid. This increases to 25% from the age of 7 years and 30% from the age of 12 years.
We will pay for Veterinary Fees for each new medical condition. You will be covered for Veterinary Fees up to £10,000 each year and this will be reinstated each year providing cover is made available to You and You continue to renew Your Policy with Us
Average Rating
Ranked
Regular Lifetime Cover
Accidents are not covered in first 48 hours of policy start date. Illnesses are not covered in the first 14 days of a policy.
Cover available from 4 weeks of age.
For dogs under 9 years choose between no Excess or £69 Excess. 20% co-pay for each claim is also an option. £69 Excess for dogs 9 years of age and over with 20% of each claim.
Lifetime cover with an annual vet fee claim limit of £7,000 which re-sets each year. Policy includes £2million third party liability cover. Pre-existing conditions are not covered.
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Ranked
Complete Lifetime Cover
Accidents are not covered in first 48 hours of policy start date. Illnesses are not covered in the first 14 days of a policy.
Cover available from 4 weeks of age.
For dogs under 9 years choose between no Excess or £69 Excess. 20% co-pay for each claim is also an option. £69 Excess for dogs 9 years of age and over plus 20% of each claim.
Lifetime cover with an annual vet fee claim limit of £15,000 with full dental, worldwide, travel cover and lost and stolen cover and behavioural and complementary treatments included as standard. Cover re-sets each year. £3million liability per incident.
Average Rating
Ranked
Value Lifetime Cover
Accidents are not covered in first 48 hours of policy start date. Illnesses are not covered in the first 14 days of a policy.
Cover available from 4 weeks of age.
£69 Excess with optional 20% co-pay if required. For dogs 9 and over £69 Excess plus 20% of each claim.
Value Lifetime cover offering £3,000 claim limit per year. £1million third party liability is included. Accidental dental treatment is covered and there is a £500 for complementary treatments.
Average Rating
Ranked
Pre-existing Condition Lifetime Cover
Accidents are not covered in first 48 hours of policy start date. Illnesses are not covered in the first 14 days of a policy.
Cover available from 4 weeks of age.
Pre-existing Condition Lifetime Cover: £99 for each claim. For dogs under 9 years you can also pay 20% of each claim if you choose to. For dogs 9 or older you must pay 20% of each claim and can choose to pay 40% of each claim.
Lifetime cover offering £7,000 vet fee cover per year with £500 cover for pre-existing conditions in year 1 of the policy and £1,000 cover in year 2. Cover includes £2million third party liability, Lost or Stolen cover, Travel cover and complementary treatments limit.
Average Rating
Ranked
Premier Accident and Illness Lifetime Cover
14 days
8 weeks to less than 10 years at the start of cover.
£69, £109 or £149 options plus £20 extra if customer chooses to have pet treated at a vet outside the Vetsure network.
£2,000 per condition per year for vet fees.Cover for complementary medicine, Special Diets, Death of Pet, Transportation Costs, Loss by Theft or Straying with other optional extras available.
Average Rating
Ranked
Premier Plus. Accident & Illness Lifetime Cover
14 days
8 weeks to less than 10 years at the start of cover.
£69, £109 or £149 options plus £20 extra if customer chooses to have pet treated at a vet outside the Vetsure network.
£5,000 per condition per year for vet fees. Cover for complementary medicine, Special Diets, Death of Pet, Transportation Costs, Loss by Theft or Straying with other optional extras available.
Average Rating
Ranked
Lifetime Cover
15 days from inception of policy.
8 weeks of age to 7 years 11 months and some specified breeds of dog only covered to 5 years 11 months.
Excess fees are variable. Co-pay amounts vary as pets age.
Lifetime cover options £4,000 or £6,000 vet fee cover with variable cover for loss, death, travel and Complementary Therapies and diet food.
Average Rating
Ranked
Premier Cover
Exclusion Period – 14 days.
Protection for puppies and kittens at least 8 weeks old, with no maximum age limit for vet fees.
Choose an excess of £60, £120 or £200.
For Premier cover, the excess for vet fee claims is for each illness or accident each year. For dog insurance third-party liability claims on property damage, £250 excess.
Total vet fee limits for Premier cover are £2,000, £4,000, £7,500 or £10,000 per year, reinstated annually if policy renewed, to give you ongoing cover. Terms apply.
Average Rating
Ranked
Gold Lifetime Cover
Illnesses 14 days, accidents or injury 5 days
From 8 weeks old to 8 years at policy inception (some breeds restricted to 5 years old at policy inception).
£90 standard Excess on each claim. Third Party Liability cover: £250 excess
£4,000 vet fees and accident related dental treatment cover. Cover for Complementary treatments, prescription diets and overseas travel up to various limits. Third Party Liability cover for dogs only.
Average Rating
Ranked
Platinum Lifetime Cover
Illnesses 14 days, accidents or injury 5 days
From 8 weeks old to 8 years at policy inception (some breeds restricted to 5 years old at policy inception).
£90 standard Excess on each claim. Third Party Liability cover: £250 excess
£6,000 vet fees and accident related dental treatment cover. Cover for Complementary treatments, prescription diets and overseas travel up to various limits. Third Party Liability cover for dogs only.
Average Rating
Ranked
Diamond Lifetime Cover
Illnesses 14 days, accidents or injury 5 days
From 8 weeks old to 8 years at policy inception (some breeds restricted to 5 years old at policy inception).
£90 standard Excess on each claim. Third Party Liability cover: £250 excess
£10,000 vet fees and accident related dental treatment cover. Cover for Complementary treatments, prescription diets and overseas travel up to various limits. Third Party Liability cover for dogs only.
Average Rating
Ranked
Lifetime Policy £5,000
48 hours for accidents, 14 days for illnesses and 30 days for cruciate ligament conditions.
From 8 weeks with upper age limits of 8 years for dogs and 10 years for cats on new policies.
Compulsory excess of £99 and a 10% co-pay excess for dogs of 5 years or over.
Vet Fee Cover of up to £5,000 per plan year. Some conditions or treatment types have lower Inner Limits. Excess amount applies.
Average Rating
Ranked
Lifetime Policy £7,500
48 hours for accidents, 14 days for illnesses and 30 days for cruciate ligament conditions.
From 8 weeks with upper age limits of 8 years for dogs and 10 years for cats on new policies.
Compulsory excess of £99 and a 10% co-pay excess for dogs of 5 years or over.
Vet Fee Cover of up to £7,500 per plan year. Some conditions or treatment types have lower Inner Limits. Excess amount applies.
Average Rating
Ranked
Lifetime Policy £10,000
48 hours for accidents, 14 days for illnesses and 30 days for cruciate ligament conditions.
From 8 weeks with upper age limits of 8 years for dogs and 10 years for cats on new policies.
Compulsory excess of £99 and a 10% co-pay excess for dogs of 5 years or over.
Vet Fee Cover of up to £10,000 per plan year. Some conditions or treatment types have lower Inner Limits. Excess amount applies.
Average Rating
Ranked
Lifetime Policy £2,000
5 days for accidents and 14 days for all other illnesses and accidents
From 8 weeks with no upper age limit on new policies.
Most breeds of dogs under 8: choose either a £50 or £100 excess and choose either a 0% or 15% co-pay. For selected breeds under 8 and for all dogs over 8 the 15% co-pay is compulsory.
Vet Fee Cover of up to £2,000 per plan year. Some conditions or treatment types have lower Inner Limits. Excess amount applies.
Average Rating
Ranked
Lifetime Policy £5,000
5 days for accidents and 14 days for all other illnesses and accidents
From 8 weeks with no upper age limit on new policies.
Most breeds of dogs under 8: choose either a £50 or £100 excess and choose either a 0% or 15% co-pay. For selected breeds under 8 and for all dogs over 8 the 15% co-pay is compulsory.
Vet Fee Cover of up to £5,000 per plan year. Some conditions or treatment types have lower Inner Limits. Excess amount applies.
Average Rating
Ranked
Lifetime Policy £10,000
5 days for accidents and 14 days for all other illnesses and accidents
From 8 weeks with no upper age limit on new policies.
Most breeds of dogs under 8: choose either a £50 or £100 excess and choose either a 0% or 15% co-pay. For selected breeds under 8 and for all dogs over 8 the 15% co-pay is compulsory.
Vet Fee Cover of up to £10,000 per plan year. Some conditions or treatment types have lower Inner Limits. Excess amount applies.
Average Rating
Ranked
Prime Cover
No waiting period if you switch from another insurer but otherwise 14 days from the start date of the policy.
From 5 weeks with no upper age limit on new policies.
Dogs under 8: £100 or £125; dogs over 8 £250 or £275 with no co-pay arrangements.
Vet Fee Cover of up to £2,500 per plan year. Some conditions or treatment types have lower Inner Limits. Excess amount applies.
Average Rating
Ranked
Premier Cover
No waiting period if you switch from another insurer but otherwise 14 days from the start date of the policy.
From 5 weeks with no upper age limit on new policies.
Dogs under 8: £100 or £125; dogs over 8 £250 or £275 with no co-pay arrangements.
Vet Fee Cover of up to £4,000 per plan year. Some conditions or treatment types have lower Inner Limits. Excess amount applies.
Average Rating
Ranked
Premier Plus Cover
No waiting period if you switch from another insurer but otherwise 14 days from the start date of the policy.
From 5 weeks with no upper age limit on new policies.
Dogs under 8: £100 or £125; dogs over 8 £250 or £275 with no co-pay arrangements.
Vet Fee Cover of up to £8,000 per plan year. Some conditions or treatment types have lower Inner Limits. Excess amount applies.
Average Rating
Ranked
14 days for illnesses and accidents
From 8 weeks with no upper age limit on new policies.
Choose an excess amount from £0 to £500 payable for each claim.
Choose Vet Fee Cover from £1,000 to £15,000 per year. Some conditions or treatment types have lower Inner Limits. Excess amount applies.
Average Rating
Ranked
Lifetime Cover
24 hours for accidents and 10 days for illnesses.
From 4 weeks to 15 years when policy is taken out.
Excess of £99 payable per condition, per year. Once you pet is 9 years old you also pay 20% of each claim.
Choose Vet Fee Cover of £4,000, £8,000, £12,000 or £16,000 per year. Some treatment types have lower Inner Limits. Excess amount applies, and co-pay of 20% applies once your pet reaches 9 years.
Average Rating
Ranked
Lifetime Cover
2 days for Accidents or injuries, 14 days for illnesses or cruciate ligament injuries.
From 4 weeks of age with no upper age limits.
Vet fee excess of £99 per condition in each policy year for all policies except Assure and Assure Plus policies where the vet fee excess is £99 in each policy year and not for each condition in a policy year.
The Lifetime Cover policy options are Super Lifetime cover with a maximum pay out limit of £1,000 per condition; Superior Lifetime cover with a maximum payout limit of £2,000 per condition; Superior Plus cover with a maximum pay out limit of £4,000 per condition and Prestige Lifetime cover offering a maximum pay out limit per condition of £6,000; Assure cover offering a maximum pay-out limit of £3,000 per year; Assure Plus cover offering a maximum pay-out limit of £5,000 per year.
Average Rating
Ranked
Lifetime Cover
14 days for illness, 3 days for accidental injury.
From 8 weeks to 8th birthday except for select dog breeds where it is their 5th birthday. So long as there's no breaks in cover customers can renew beyond the age limit.
When a dog reaches 8 years (for some breeds of dog this is 5 years) your excess will change from a fixed amount to a sum that will be the greater of a stated sum or a percentage contribution towards each vet fees claim made.
£2,500, £5,000, £7,500 or £10,000 vet fee limit per year while policy remains active with no breaks in cover. The limit resets each year so that conditions will continue to be covered.
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Ranked
Covered for life
Injuries are covered immediately, illness cover starts 14 days after policy inception
From 6 weeks old or 8 weeks old if sold by a licenced breeder.
Variable fixed excess for Lifetime cover plus a typically 20% co-pay introduced at a dogs 7th or 10th birthday (breed dependent).
3 levels of Lifetime cover with maximum vet costs pay out limit options of £4,000, £7,000 or £12,000 per year.
Average Rating
Ranked
Lifetime Premier Cover
48 hours for accidents, 14 days for cruciate ligament problems or any illnesses.
From 8 weeks of age . Cover for Death not applicable to pets 9 years of age or older.
£100 for each injury or accident and you can choose to pay a voluntary co-pay of either 10% or 20% of the remaining bill value if your pet is under 9, which might reduce your monthly premium. If your pet is 9 or older at policy inception you pay a compulsory excess of 20%.
Cover options for each condition or illness for vet fees of £4,000 with a £1,000 limit per condition, or £12,000 with a £4,000 limit per condition each year. Cover is provided until the limit is reached and is time limited but renews if the policy is renewed and there's no break in cover.
Average Rating
Ranked
Lifetime Cover
14 days
Cover up to 8 years of age on standard policy and Senior policy for 8 years and over.
Variable Excess applicable and this insurer only pays a small contribution to vet fee consultation fees, hospitalisation fees, etc. Excess on Public Liability cover for dogs.
Bronze £2,500 vet fees cover; Silver £5,000 vet fees cover; Gold £8,000 vet fees cover, and differing levels of cover for other items including death of pet. Cover renews with policy.
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Platinum Lifetime Cover
10 days
From 8 weeks old to any age.
£65 for each incident or condition. You can choose to add additional voluntary excess amounts to reduce monthly costs.
Lifetime Pet cover offering vet fee cover limit of £7,000 per year. Conditions claimed for under this policy will be covered in any subsequent year up to the total pay out limit of £7,000 as long as the policy remains in force with no breaks in cover.
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Lifetime Cover
14 days for illness. 24 hours for accidents.
8 weeks with no upper age limit but 10% co-pay applied for pets over 6 years.
£85 for each illness or accidental injury. £250 excess for third party liability cover.
Lifetime Cover options: Classic Lifetime cover of £2,500 per year for vet fees; Premier Lifetime cover of £5,000 per year for vet fees; Premier Plus cover of £10,000 per year for vet fees.
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Lifetime Cover
24 hours for accidents, 10 days for illness.
8 weeks to 8 years + Cover reduces for pets over 8 years of age.
The excess is £100. If pet is over 6 years the excess applies to each illness or accident plus you pay 20% of the remaining costs of treatment. £250 excess on Dog third party liability cover.
Limits are per each unrelated accident, injury or illness and vary by treatment type, diagnostic test type and by condition type. Choose between limits for vet fees of £3,000 renewable cover on Silver Plus plan and £5,000 renewable vet fee cover on Gold Plus plan
Maximum Benefit policies will pay for claims for any one condition up to an agreed limit and then that condition is no longer covered and will be treated as a pre-existing condition.
Average Rating
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Condition Care
15 days from inception of policy.
8 weeks of age to 7 years 11 months and some specified breeds of dog only covered to 5 years 11 months.
Excess fees are variable. Co-pay amounts vary as pets age.
Condition Care Policy offers £3,000 limit for each unrelated illness or accident with some cover for loss, death, travel, complementary Therapies and diet food.
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Ranked
Extra Cover
Exclusion Period – 14 days.
Protection for puppies and kittens at least 8 weeks old, with no maximum age limit for vet fees.
Choose an excess of £60, £120 or £200.
For Extra cover, the excess for vet fee claims is payable only once per illness or injury.
For dog insurance third-party liability claims on property damage, £250 excess.
Total vet fee limits for Extra cover are £4,500 or £7,500 for each injury or illness. Terms apply.
Average Rating
Ranked
Maximum Benefit Policy
5 days for accidents and 14 days for all other illnesses and accidents
From 8 weeks with no upper age limit on new policies.
Most breeds of dogs under 8: choose either a £50 or £100 excess and choose either a 0% or 15% co-pay. For selected breeds under 8 and for all dogs over 8 the 15% co-pay is compulsory.
Vet Fee Cover of up to £4,000 per condition. Some conditions or treatment types have lower Inner Limits. Excess amount applies.
Average Rating
Ranked
Gold Cover
No waiting period if you switch from another insurer but otherwise 14 days from the start date of the policy.
From 5 weeks with no upper age limit on new policies.
Dogs under 8: £100 or £125; dogs over 8 £250 or £275 per illness or injury per year with no co-pay arrangements.
Vet Fee Cover of up to £4,000 per accident or illness for as long as the plan remains in force. Some conditions or treatment types have lower Inner Limits. Excess amount applies.
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Maximum Benefit Cover
2 days for Accidents or injuries, 14 days for illnesses or cruciate ligament injuries.
From 4 weeks of age with no upper age limits.
Vet fee excess of £99 per condition in each policy year.
The Maximum Benefit Policy options offer Lifetime pay out limits per condition of either £1,000 in the Max Value cover; £2,000 in the Max Plus cover and £4,000 in the Max Extra cover policy.
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Maximum Benefit Cover
14 days for illness, 3 days for accidental injury.
From 8 weeks to 8th birthday except for select dog breeds where it is their 5th birthday. So long as there's no breaks in cover customers can renew beyond the age limit.
When a dog reaches 8 years (for some breeds of dog this is 5 years) your excess will change from a fixed amount to a sum that will be the greater of a stated sum or a percentage contribution towards each vet fees claim made.
£3,000 or £6,000 vet fee limit per condition until the limit for that condition is reached while the policy remains active with no breaks in cover. Once the limit is reached that condition will no longer be covered on renewal of the policy
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Maximum Value Classic Cover
48 hours for accidents, 14 days for cruciate ligament problems or any illnesses.
From 8 weeks of age . Cover for Death not applicable to pets 9 years of age or older.
£100 for each injury or accident and you can choose to pay a voluntary co-pay of either 10% or 20% of the remaining bill value if your pet is under 9, which might reduce your monthly premium. If your pet is 9 or older at policy inception you pay a compulsory excess of 20%.
Cover for each condition or illness vet fees up to £4,000 or £8,000. Cover is provided until the limit is reached and is not time limited. Once limit is reached for a condition it is no longer covered by the policy. Third Party Liability cover of £2million, with Accident Damage cover of £1,000.
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Maximum Benefit Cover
14 days
Cover up to 8 years of age on standard policy and Senior policy for 8 years and over.
Variable Excess applicable and this insurer only pays a small contribution to vet fee consultation, hospitalisation fees, etc. Excess on Public Liability cover for dogs.
Bronze £2,000 vet fee cover; Silver £4,500 vet fee cover; Gold cover £7,500 vet fee cover, and differing levels of cover for other items including death of pet.
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Advanced Maximum Benefit Cover
14 days
Cover available from 8 weeks of age to 11 years (up to 6 years for some breeds of dogs).
£95 excess for vet fees. Optional voluntary excess £190. Third Party Liability cover has a £250 excess.
£8,000 per condition with no time limit including £1,000 dental cover.
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Maximum Benefit per Condition
14 days for illness. 24 hours for accidents.
8 weeks with no upper age limit but 10% co-pay applied for pets over 6 years.
£85 for each illness or accidental injury. £250 excess for third party liability cover.
Standard Maximum Benefit Cover £2,500 per condition.
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Accident and Illness Maximum Benefit cover.
24 hours for accidents, 10 days for illness.
8 weeks to 8 years + Cover reduces for pets over 8 years of age.
The excess is £100. If pet is over 6 years the excess applies to each illness or accident plus you pay 20% of the remaining costs of treatment. £250 excess on Dog third party liability cover.
Limits are per each unrelated accident, injury or illness and vary by treatment type, diagnostic test type, by condition and by policy type selected. Typical Limits for vet fees are £1,000 per each condition for Bronze cover, £3,000 per each condition for Silver cover and £5,000 per each condition in Gold cover.
Time Limited policies provide cover for a set period of time for any one condition. Cover is usually limited to a total value of cover per condition, too. You can claim for treatment for any particular condition or accident for a set time period, and then cover stops. This condition is then considered a pre-existing condition and is no longer covered.
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Standard Cover
Exclusion Period – 14 days
Protection for puppies and kittens at least 8 weeks old, with no maximum age limit for vet fees.
Choose an excess of £60, £120 or £200.
For Standard cover, the excess for vet fee claims is payable only once per illness or injury.
For dog insurance third-party liability claims on property damage, £250 excess.
Total vet fee limits for Standard cover is £3,000 or 12 months treatment for each injury or illness. Terms apply.
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12 Month Time Limited Silver Plan
Illnesses 14 days, accidents or injury 5 days
From 8 weeks old to 8 years at policy inception (some breeds restricted to 5 years old at policy inception).
£90 standard Excess on each claim. Third Party Liability cover: £250 excess (dogs only)
£2,000 vet fees and accident related dental treatment cover. Cover for Complementary treatments, prescription diets and overseas travel up to various limits. Third Party Liability cover for dogs only.
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Time Limited Policy
5 days for accidents and 14 days for all other illnesses and accidents
From 8 weeks with no upper age limit on new policies.
Most breeds of dogs under 8: choose either a £50 or £100 excess and choose either a 0% or 15% co-pay. For selected breeds under 8 and for all dogs over 8 the 15% co-pay is compulsory.
Vet Fee Cover of up to £3,000 for up to 365 days per condition, whichever limit is reached sooner. Some conditions or treatment types have lower Inner Limits. Excess amount applies.
Average Rating
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Silver Cover (Time and Maximum Benefit Limited)
No waiting period if you switch from another insurer but otherwise 14 days from the start date of the policy.
From 5 weeks with no upper age limit on new policies.
Dogs under 8: £100 or £125; dogs over 8 £250 or £275 per illness or injury per year with no co-pay arrangements.
Vet Fee Cover of up to £3,000 per accident for 12 months from the first date of treatment or until the policy limit is reached. Some conditions or treatment types have lower Inner Limits. Excess amount applies.
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Time Limited Cover
2 days for Accidents or injuries, 14 days for illnesses or cruciate ligament injuries.
From 4 weeks of age with no upper age limits.
Vet fee excess of £99 per condition in each policy year.
Time Limited policy options of annual vet fees pay out limit choices per condition of £1,000 for Basic Plus cover; £2,000 for Prime cover and £4,000 for Prime Plus cover. All have different annual per condition limits.
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Standard Time Limited Cover
14 days for illness, 3 days for accidental injury.
From 8 weeks to 8th birthday except for select dog breeds, where cover is available up to their 5th birthday. So long as there's no breaks in cover customers can renew beyond the age limit.
When a dog reaches 8 years (for some breeds of dog this is 5 years) your excess will change from a fixed amount to a sum that will be the greater of a stated sum or a percentage contribution towards each vet fees claim made.
£3,000 limit for vet fees for any condition in a 12 month period from the start of illness or condition if policy remains in force. Once limit or time period is reached that condition will no longer be covered on renewal of policy.
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12 Month Cover
Injuries are covered immediately, Illness cover starts 14 days after policy inception.
From 6 weeks old or 8 weeks old if sold by a licenced breeder.
Variable fixed excess for the Essential 12 month cover policy and the 20% co-pay is introduced at the dogs 5th or 8th birthday.
£3,000 vet costs cover available through 12 month policy.
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Time Limited Basic Cover
Accidents 48 hours from policy start date, 14 days for cruciate ligament problems or any illnesses.
From 8 weeks of age . Cover for Death not applicable to pets 9 years of age or older.
£100 for each injury or accident and you can choose to pay a voluntary co-pay of either 10% or 20% of the remaining bill value if your pet is under 9, which might reduce your monthly premium. If your pet is 9 or older at policy inception you pay a compulsory excess of 20%.
Total vet fees cover up to £1,500 or £3,000 (depending on the limit selected), per illness or injury for up to 12 months. Cover for each condition is limited to 12 months from onset or until your limit is reached. Third Party Liability cover of £1million. Accidental damage cover £500.
Average Rating
Ranked
Time Limited Cover
14 days
Cover up to 8 years of age on standard policy and Senior policy for 8 years and over.
Variable Excess applicable and this insurer only pays a small contribution to vet fee consultation, hospitalisation fees, etc. Excess on Public Liability cover for dogs.
Bronze £1,500 vet fee cover; Silver £4,000 vet fee cover; Gold £6,000 vet fee cover, and differing levels of cover for other items including death of pet.
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Ranked
Time Limited Silver Cover
10 days
From 8 weeks old to any age.
£65 for each incident or condition. You can choose to add additional voluntary excess amounts to reduce monthly costs.
Vet fees cover limit of £2,500 per condition within 12 months from first claim for each incident or condition. Once the limit is reached or 12 months elapses the condition is no longer covered and will not be covered on renewal. Third Party Liability of £1million for dogs only.
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Ranked
Time Limited Gold Cover
10 days
From 8 weeks old to any age.
£65 for each incident or condition. You can choose to add additional voluntary excess amounts to reduce monthly costs.
Vet fee cover limit of £4,000 per condition within 12 months from first claim for that condition. Once the limit is reached or 12 months elapses the condition is no longer covered and will not be covered on renewal. Dog Third Party liability cover up to £1.5 million with accidental damage cover of £500.
Average Rating
Ranked
Essential Time Limited Cover
14 days
Cover available from 8 weeks of age to 11 years (up to 6 years for some breeds of dogs).
£95 excess for vet fees. Optional voluntary excess of £190. Third Party Liability cover has a £250 excess.
£4,000 per condition for 12 months from first date of treatment.
Average Rating
Ranked
Time Limited (12 months)
14 days for illness. 24 hours for accidents.
8 weeks with no upper age limit but 10% co-pay applied for pets over 6 years.
£85 for each condition. £250 excess for third party liability cover.
12 month Time Limited Value Cover limit of £2,000 per condition for 12 months from first on-set of each condition.
Accident only policies cover claims related to accidents only and does not cover illnesses.
Average Rating
Ranked
Accident Only
N/A
8 weeks to less than 10 years at the start of cover.
£69, £109 or £149 options plus £20 extra if customer chooses to have pet treated at a vet outside the Vetsure network.
Up to £2,000 per accidental injury, per year.
Average Rating
Ranked
Bronze Cover (Maximum Benefit Limited)
No waiting period if you switch from another insurer but otherwise 14 days from the start date of the policy.
From 5 weeks with no upper age limit on new policies.
Dogs under 8: £100 or £125; dogs over 8 £250 or £275 per injury per year with no co-pay arrangements.
Vet Fee Cover of up to £2,250 per accident for 12 months from the first date of treatment. Some conditions or treatment types have lower Inner Limits. Excess amount applies.
Average Rating
Ranked
Accident Only Cover
2 days for Accidents or injuries, 14 days for cruciate ligament injuries.
From 4 weeks of age with no upper age limits.
Vet fee excess of £99 per condition in each policy year.
Accident Only policy offers £2,500 cover per accident, per year with a lifetime limit of £15,000.
Average Rating
Ranked
Accident Only
Accidents in first 48 hours from policy start date.
From 8 weeks of age
£100 for each injury or accident and you can choose to pay a voluntary co-pay of either 10% or 20% of the remaining bill value if your pet is under 9, which might reduce your monthly premium. If your pet is 9 or older at policy inception you pay a compulsory excess of 20%.
Vet fees for accidents up to a total pay out limit of £2,500.Treatment for each condition is limited to 12 months and then ceases for that injury. Illnesses and cruciate ligament injuries are not covered.
Average Rating
Ranked
Accident Only Cover
14 days
Cover up to 8 years of age on standard policy and Senior policy for 8 years and over.
Variable Excess applicable and this insurer only pays a small contribution to vet fee consultation, hospitalisation fees, etc. Excess on Public Liability cover for dogs.
Vet fees cover £3,000, hydrotherapy £250 maximum claim, £45 per vet consultation in connection with the injury and £40 towards hospitalisation fees.
Average Rating
Ranked
Accident Only Cover
24 hours for accidents.
8 weeks with no upper age limit but 10% co-pay applied for pets over 6 years.
£85 for each illness or accidental injury.
Accident only £3,500 per incident.
Average Rating
Ranked
Accident Only Cover
4 hours for accidents.
8 weeks to 8 years + Cover reduces for pets over 8 years of age.
The excess is £100. If pet is over 6 years the excess applies to each illness or accident plus you pay 20% of the remaining costs of treatment. £250 excess on Dog third party liability cover.
Limits are for all claims relating to accidents or injuries and vary by treatment type and diagnostic test type. Vet fees limit is £2,000 renewable annually with £1million Third Party Liability. Lower limits for complementary treatments, scans, cruciate ligament injuries and dentistry claims.
You should always check policy details as you may not be covered for everything you think you are. What to watch out for:
- Waiting periods : most policies have a 2 day waiting period for accidents and a 14 day waiting period for illnesses. This means that they won’t cover any accidents that occur in the first 2 days after you take out your policy, and won’t cover illnesses whose symptoms appeared in the first 14 days after you took out your policy. Some policies may differ in their waiting periods so always check the details.
- Policy Excess: All policies have an excess charge. This is an amount of money the insurer will expect you to cover. It might be applied once a year, once for each condition or to every claim you make. In some cases, particularly for older pets, the insurer may also impose a co-pay percentage. This is the percentage of the claim amount remaining after you’ve paid the excess that you also need to pay. This could be a set percentage such as 10% or an optional amount. Please check your policy details.
- Inner Limits: Some insurers impose inner limits for particular treatment types or diagnostic tests to make their insurance cheaper overall. Typically inner pay out limits are used for MRI and CT scans, alternative treatments, special diets or cruciate ligament treatments. Check your policy details carefully.
- Vaccinations and parasite prevention: Pet insurance will not cover routine vaccinations or parasite prevention so you should be prepared to pay for this each year. Some vets will offer a scheme where you can pay an amount monthly to cover all the routine expenses each year, so its worth asking your vet about this if it would help to spread the payments.
- Castration and spaying: Pet Insurance doesn’t cover the cost of neutering or spaying your pet.
No, standard pet insurance policies do not cover breeding, pregnancy and birth complications. Some insurers such as Agria Pet Insurance, Kennel Club and Petplan offer specialist pregnancy and birth policies but these must be taken out separately and well in advance of a planned pregnancy as they have long waiting periods.
Some policies do cover dental treatment needed because of an accident or illness, but not all. Many insurers either don’t cover it at all or only cover accidental damage. Those insurers that do cover dental treatment will have conditions attached and may impose inner limits on the amount you can claim. Routine cleaning is not usually covered. Please check your policy details.
There are a few that do cover pre-existing conditions such as VetsMediCover or Many Pets but they both require your pet to be symptom and treatment free for 24 months before you take out the policy. If your pet has pre-existing conditions that you are concerned about, please check with your chosen insurer on the cover they will offer before taking out the policy.
Yes, but some insurers do impose upper age limits. Commonly those that do impose upper age limits won’t take on a dog who is 8 or older. This is because as a dog ages, it is more likely to have illnesses resulting in claims.
Most insurers that do have upper age limits will continue to insure a dog over the age of 8 if the insurance was in place before they reached that age and the policy is renewed with no break in cover.
It is common for insurers to have a list of dog breed that they will not insure. Insurers will not typically insurer any breed on the Dangerous dog breed list including and dog that is a pure bred or cross breed Pitbull terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasilerio. This also includes dogs that look like these breeds.
Many insurers have other breeds on their exemption lists and this can be because they have had a lot of claims for breeds of that type. Every insurer has different breed restrictions but most ask for the breed of your pet during the quote process so it should be possible to know if your dog could be covered or not. If you are concerned at all, call your chosen insurer and ask about your dog’s breed.
Yes, many insurers offer compensation for the death of your pet. Some insurers do not cover the cost of euthanasia, however, so it is worth checking the details on your policy.
The cost of your dog insurance will depend on several factors:
- Age of your dog. As dogs age they are likely to have more illnesses and so are more expensive to insure as they get older.
- Breed of your dog. Some breeds are more prone to develop certain health issues than other breeds and so are more expensive to insure. For instance French Bulldogs are more prone to eye, joint and back issues and so are quite expensive to insure. Dachshunds are prone to having spinal issues. Some German Shepherd Dogs have hip issues as do Labradors. Larger breeds are generally more expensive than smaller breeds, too.
- Where you live. Your location can affect the cost of your insurance as veterinary treatment in some areas is more expensive than in other areas of the country.
- Pure bred or mongrel. Pure breed dogs are generally more expensive to insure than cross breeds as they tend to have more hereditary health issues.
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All information displayed is summarised from the insurer’s sites in November 2018. In order to receive an accurate quotation for the insurance type you are considering you must request your own quotation from each company of interest using your own details and those of your pet.
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