Select your pet type, age and breed category to get an estimated monthly premium range. Figures are indicative — actual quotes vary by insurer, postcode and individual pet.
Estimated monthly premium:
Annual Cost
5-Year Total
Typical Excess
Types of Pet Insurance Explained
There are four main types of pet insurance policy in the UK. Choosing the right type is as important as the price.
Accident Only
Dog: £5-10/mo | Cat: £3-7/mo
Covers injuries and accidents only
Does not cover illness
Cheapest option
No cover for cancer, infections, hereditary conditions
Good for young, healthy pets
Time-Limited
Dog: £15-40/mo | Cat: £8-20/mo
Covers each condition for 12 months from first sign
After 12 months, that condition is excluded
Can leave ongoing conditions uncovered
Mid-range price
Good for short-term illness cover
Annual Limit
Dog: £20-50/mo | Cat: £12-30/mo
Covers up to a set total per policy year (e.g. £4,000)
Once annual limit is reached, no more claims
Pre-existing conditions excluded at renewal
Better than time-limited for chronic illness
Check limit is sufficient for your region
Best Cover
Lifetime / Per-Condition
Dog: £30-100/mo | Cat: £15-50/mo
Limits reset every year at renewal
Covers ongoing / chronic conditions long-term
Most comprehensive coverage
Most expensive policy type
Best for breeds prone to hereditary conditions
Dog Insurance Cost by Breed and Age 2026
Dog Category
Under 1 yr
1-4 years
5-7 years
8+ years
Policy Type
Small dog — low risk Jack Russell, Shih Tzu, Miniature Schnauzer
£18-30
£20-35
£30-55
£60-95
Lifetime
Small dog — higher risk Cavalier King Charles, Pug, Lhasa Apso
£25-45
£28-48
£45-70
£75-120
Lifetime
Large dog — low risk Labrador, Golden Retriever, Springer Spaniel
£28-50
£32-55
£50-85
£80-140
Lifetime
Large dog — high risk French Bulldog, German Shepherd, Rottweiler
£40-70
£45-80
£70-110
£100-175
Lifetime
High-risk breeds including French Bulldogs and other brachycephalic (flat-faced) dogs carry a 20-40% premium loading due to higher incidence of BOAS, hip dysplasia and other hereditary conditions.
Cat Insurance Costs UK 2026
Cat Type
Under 1 yr
1-5 years
6-9 years
10+ years
Indoor cat — domestic
£7-12
£8-15
£14-25
£25-40
Outdoor cat — domestic
£10-18
£12-22
£18-32
£30-50
Pedigree cat (Persian, Siamese)
£18-35
£20-40
£30-55
£45-75
British Shorthair
£14-25
£16-28
£25-42
£38-60
What Does Pet Insurance Cover?
Treatment Type
Accident Only
Time-Limited
Annual Limit
Lifetime
Accident injuries
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Illness (infections, digestive)
No
Yes (12mo)
Yes
Yes
Cancer treatment
No
Yes (12mo)
Yes
Yes
Ongoing / chronic conditions
No
No (after 12mo)
Yes (if limit not reached)
Yes (limit resets)
Surgery and hospitalisation
Yes (accidents)
Yes
Yes
Yes
MRI / CT scans
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Physiotherapy / hydrotherapy
No
Some
Some
Many
Dental treatment
No
Accident only
Accident only
Accident only
Vaccinations / preventive
No
No
No
No
Pre-existing conditions
No
No
No
No
How the Excess Works
Understanding your excess prevents nasty surprises when you make a claim. Most UK pet insurance policies have two types of excess:
Compulsory excess — Set by the insurer, typically £50-£150. You always pay this per condition (or per claim for accident-only policies).
Voluntary excess — An additional amount you choose to pay to reduce your premium. A £200 voluntary excess can save 15-25% on your premium.
Co-insurance (percentage excess) — Common for older pets, typically 20%. This means you pay 20% of the claim amount above the fixed excess.
Example Claim Calculation:
Vet bill: £1,500 | Compulsory excess: £100 | Voluntary excess: £100 | Co-insurance: 20%
Amount after excess: £1,500 - £200 = £1,300
Your co-insurance share: 20% of £1,300 = £260 Total you pay: £460 | Insurer pays: £1,040
How to Reduce Your Pet Insurance Premium
💉
Microchip your pet — Legally required for dogs in the UK. Many insurers give a small discount and it makes your pet easier to find if lost.
✂
Neuter/spay your pet — Reduces risk of certain cancers and infections, and earns discounts from most insurers.
🏠
Keep cats indoors — Indoor cats have lower risk of road accidents and fights, so pay lower premiums.
📊
Choose a higher excess — Increasing your voluntary excess from £50 to £200 can save 15-25% on annual premium.
📅
Pay annually — Monthly payments typically add 10-15% admin cost. Paying upfront for the year saves money.
🔄
Compare at renewal — Loyalty rarely pays in pet insurance. Shopping around every year at renewal can save £50-£200 annually.
🐶
Insure young — Pre-existing conditions are excluded. Insuring a puppy or kitten before any conditions develop ensures maximum coverage.
Is Pet Insurance Worth It? The Numbers
PDSA research consistently shows that a significant minority of pets require expensive veterinary treatment each year. Here is how the numbers stack up:
Common Vet Treatment
Average Cost
With Insurance (20% excess)
Broken leg surgery
£1,500-£3,000
£400-£700
Swallowed foreign object (surgery)
£2,000-£5,000
£500-£1,100
Cancer treatment (chemotherapy)
£5,000-£15,000
£1,100-£3,100
Hip replacement
£3,000-£6,000
£700-£1,300
MRI scan
£1,500-£2,500
£400-£600
Diabetes management (annual)
£1,000-£2,500
£300-£600
Emergency overnight stay
£500-£1,500
£180-£400
For a medium-risk dog on a lifetime policy at £45/month, annual premiums total £540. A single major claim of £3,000 with 20% co-insurance and £200 excess would cost you £760 — the insurer pays £2,240. Without insurance, you pay the full £3,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is pet insurance for a dog in the UK in 2026?
Dog pet insurance in the UK costs from £20-40 per month for a small dog under 5 years on a lifetime policy, rising to £60-100 per month for dogs over 8 years. Large high-risk breeds like French Bulldogs and German Shepherds can cost £45-175 per month on lifetime cover. Accident-only policies cost as little as £5-10 per month.
What is the difference between pet insurance policy types?
There are four main types: Accident Only (cheapest — covers injuries only), Time-Limited (covers each condition for 12 months then excludes it), Annual Limit (covers up to a set amount per year, typically £3,000-£15,000), and Lifetime / Per-Condition (best coverage — limits reset each year at renewal). Lifetime policies are most comprehensive but cost 2-3x more than accident-only cover.
Is pet insurance worth it in the UK?
Yes for most pet owners — PDSA data shows the average vet claim exceeds £1,000 and major treatments like cancer care can cost £5,000-£15,000. For a pet that lives 12-15 years, lifetime insurance might total £4,000-£8,000 but a single cancer or orthopaedic condition could cost the same or more in a single year without cover. Peace of mind is also significant.
What does pet insurance typically not cover?
Common exclusions include: pre-existing conditions diagnosed before the policy started, preventive care (vaccinations, flea and worm treatments), routine dental treatment (usually only covered if caused by an accident), pregnancy and breeding costs, elective procedures and cosmetic surgery. Always read the policy exclusions carefully before buying.
How can I reduce my pet insurance premium?
Key ways to reduce pet insurance costs include: microchipping (legally required for dogs, gives discounts), neutering/spaying, keeping cats indoors, choosing a higher voluntary excess (e.g. £200 instead of £50), paying annually rather than monthly, and comparing quotes at every renewal rather than auto-renewing. Insuring when young also prevents pre-existing condition exclusions building up.
How does the excess work on pet insurance?
Pet insurance excess has two components: a compulsory excess (typically £50-£150, set by the insurer) and an optional voluntary excess you choose. Many policies for older pets also add co-insurance — typically 20% of the claim amount above the excess. For a £1,000 claim with £100 compulsory excess and 20% co-insurance: you pay £100 + (20% of £900) = £280. The insurer pays £720.
Can I insure an older dog or cat in the UK?
Most insurers impose an age limit for new policies: typically 8 years for dogs and cats, with some allowing up to 10 years. Premiums for senior pets are significantly higher. If your pet is already insured on a lifetime policy, you can typically continue renewing into old age without re-underwriting, which is one of the main benefits of insuring young and maintaining continuous cover.