Dog insurance and new dog care
Insuring a Puppy: When Is the Best Time to Buy?Why timing matters with dog insurance, and what to check before you cover a new puppy.
Dog insurance and new dog care
Dog Insurance in the UK, Explained
Premiums, excess and the four types of UK dog policy in plain English.
Dog insurance is simple in principle: you pay a regular premium and the insurer helps with eligible vet bills. The detail is in the policy, so it pays to understand the terms before you buy.
The basics
- Premium: what you pay each month or year.
- Excess: what you pay on each claim. Some insurers also add a percentage co-payment, often for older dogs.
- Limits: how much is paid per condition, per year or in total.
- Waiting periods: a short delay before you can claim for illness.
The four types of cover
- Accident only: cheapest, and does not cover illness.
- Time limited: covers a condition for a set period or until a limit is reached.
- Maximum benefit: pays up to a set amount per condition.
- Lifetime: resets the limit each year, so long-term conditions can stay covered if you renew.
Where policies differ
- Pre-existing conditions, which are normally excluded
- Vet fee limits, and whether they are enough for major surgery
- How claims on conditions affecting both sides of the body, such as hips, are treated
- Renewal pricing, which usually rises with age and claims
- Extras such as dental, behavioural treatment and third-party liability
Is it worth it?
It protects against large, unexpected bills, not routine costs like vaccinations. Whether it suits you depends on your budget, your dog's breed and age and how you would cope with a big bill.
Our dog insurance page has a longer guide, a list of providers and a place to get a quote.
Common questions
Does dog insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
Generally no. A condition your dog had, or showed signs of, before the policy started is normally excluded.
What is the difference between lifetime and maximum benefit cover?
Lifetime cover resets the limit every year so a long-term condition can stay covered while you renew. Maximum benefit cover pays up to a total limit for each condition.
Related
K9PN is not an insurer or insurance broker and does not give insurance advice or recommendations. Terms, prices and availability vary by provider.
Keep reading
More from the blog
Dog insurance and new dog care
New Dog Checklist for the UK: The First MonthA simple checklist for the first month with a new puppy or rescue dog in the UK.
Dog training
How to Choose a Dog Trainer in the UK: 7 ChecksAnyone in the UK can call themselves a dog trainer. Seven checks that protect your dog and your money.
Ready to compare quotes?
See providers and get a quote for your dog. You buy directly from the provider.
Get a quote