Dog Insurance
Compare Dog Insurance Quotes
- Compare 25 dog insurers
- You could pay from £3.35 per month*
- Find the best deals today
Search and compare quotes from up to 25 UK dog insurers, including;
Why Use SimplyQuote.co.uk To Compare Dog Insurance Quotes
Comparing dog insurance with SimplyQuote ensures you find cover that fits your dog, your budget, and your peace of mind—without trawling through endless providers.
At SimplyQuote, we make it easy to compare dog insurance policies from a wide panel of UK insurers, helping you find protection that makes sense for your circumstances. Whether your dog’s a lively pup or a senior companion, costs and cover can vary widely depending on their breed, age, medical history, and your location.
Some policies prioritise accident cover, others include dental or behavioural treatment. A few restrict claims based on pre-existing conditions or even exclude specific breeds. That’s why a side-by-side comparison matters—it’s not just about price, but about understanding what you’re actually buying.
You don’t need to spend hours filling out the same form across different websites either. Through our partnership with Quotezone, our platform lets you enter your details once and instantly compare tailored quotes from trusted insurers. It’s fast, transparent, and designed around your needs—not just your dog’s breed or age bracket.
Pet insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all. By comparing with SimplyQuote, you get the full picture—so you can protect your dog with confidence, not guesswork.
Why Do I Need To Get A Quote?
Getting a dog insurance quote is quick—but accuracy is key. The more detailed and truthful you are, the more reliable your quote will be.
You’ll start by entering some basic information about your dog. Insurers need this to assess risk and calculate a price. If your dog has any health conditions or is from a breed with known issues, that’s going to influence cost and eligibility. But even with a healthy crossbreed, age and lifestyle matter.
Here’s what you’ll typically need to provide:
- Your dog’s breed, age, gender, and whether they’ve been neutered or spayed
- Microchipping status (it’s a legal requirement in the UK)
- Any known pre-existing medical conditions
- Your postcode and whether the dog lives with you full-time
- Whether your dog is used for work or kept as a pet
- The type of cover you’re looking for (e.g. lifetime, time-limited, accident-only)
- Optional extras, like dental treatment or overseas travel cover
You won’t usually be asked for documentation up front—no vet records or vaccination proof is needed at the quote stage—but what you declare must be truthful. Misrepresenting your dog’s health or history can invalidate the policy later, particularly when it comes to claims.
If you’re unsure about certain details—such as the exact age of a rescue dog—use your best estimate, but mention it if prompted. Insurers know not every detail is always available, but they do expect honesty and consistency across the application.
Why Do You Need Dog Insurance Cover?
Dog insurance protects you from large, unexpected vet bills and the emotional strain of making difficult choices based on cost—not care.
Even the most attentive owners can’t prevent every illness or accident. Whether your dog develops a chronic condition, eats something it shouldn’t, or needs urgent surgery, treatment can be expensive. Insurance steps in to cover all or part of those costs, so you’re not left making tough decisions under financial pressure.
Most policies also include cover for third-party liability. That’s essential if your dog causes injury or damage—say they bolt in the park and a cyclist falls trying to avoid them. Without insurance, you could be held personally responsible for medical or legal expenses.
Some of the most common reasons owners claim on their dog insurance include:
- Gastroenteritis and stomach issues
- Lameness or ligament injuries
- Ear infections, dental problems, or skin allergies
- Surgery following an accident or obstruction
- Long-term medication for arthritis or heart disease
- Emergency treatment after road traffic accidents
Even routine problems can add up quickly. Blood tests, scans, or overnight observation can easily tip into the hundreds. And while some breeds are more prone to certain conditions, no dog is immune to injury or illness.
Insurance isn’t just for the big emergencies—it’s for peace of mind on the small things too. Because when your dog’s unwell, your focus should be on getting them better—not how you’re going to pay for it.
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What Does Dog Insurance Cover Include?
Most dog insurance policies include cover for vet fees, treatment costs, and third-party liability—but what’s included (and how much is paid out) depends on the policy type you choose.
The majority of UK dog insurance policies are designed to help with unexpected vet costs. Comprehensive cover usually includes illness, injury, and diagnostic work—while more limited policies may only protect against accidents or short-term incidents.
Here’s what’s commonly included in dog insurance cover:
- Vet fees – for illness or injury, including consultations, diagnostics, and treatment
- Surgery and hospitalisation – whether planned or emergency procedures
- Medication – long-term or short-term prescriptions, depending on the policy
- Third-party liability – if your dog causes injury or damage to someone else’s property
- Advertising and reward – some policies cover the cost of locating a lost or stolen dog
- Euthanasia and cremation costs – occasionally included or offered as an add-on
- Behavioural treatment – if prescribed by a vet (common in lifetime policies)
- Dental cover – typically limited to accidental injury unless explicitly included
Cover types vary. Accident-only policies offer the most basic level, with clear exclusions for illness or ongoing conditions. Time-limited and maximum benefit policies impose caps on how long or how much you can claim per condition. Lifetime cover tends to be the most comprehensive—offering ongoing support for long-term health issues, provided you renew each year.
Some policies even offer optional extras like travel cover (for taking your dog abroad), complementary therapy (like hydrotherapy), or kennel fees if you’re hospitalised and unable to care for your dog temporarily.
What’s Not Included?
Dog insurance policies don’t cover everything. There are common exclusions that can catch owners out if they’re not clearly understood at the start.
While cover can be comprehensive, most insurers draw a clear line around pre-existing conditions and non-essential treatments. If your dog’s had previous health issues, anything related may not be covered—or may be subject to specific terms. This doesn’t mean you can’t get insurance, but it does mean reading the fine print matters.
Here are some of the most common exclusions:
- Pre-existing conditions – any illnesses or injuries your dog had before the policy started
- Routine treatments – vaccinations, flea/worming, grooming, nail trimming
- Pregnancy and breeding – unless you have a specialist policy that allows for this
- Elective procedures – cosmetic surgeries or non-essential treatments
- Unapproved behavioural therapy – unless referred by a vet and accepted under the policy
- Age restrictions – some policies won’t offer new cover for older dogs, or will limit what’s included
- Unlicensed or specialist treatments – such as certain alternative therapies or unproven remedies
- Travel without the right add-on – taking your dog abroad without a travel extension means you’re not covered
Also, most insurers won’t pay claims where the dog owner has failed to take ‘reasonable care’—for example, if your dog was left in a hot car, or off-lead in an area where that wasn’t allowed.
Some exclusions aren’t obvious until you try to claim. For instance, behavioural treatment may be offered—but only if linked to a diagnosed condition and carried out by an approved therapist. That’s why it’s important to compare not just what’s included, but how each insurer defines and limits that cover.
Avoid assumptions. What one policy includes, another may exclude—and the cheapest isn’t always the best fit if it leaves you uncovered in the moments that matter most.
How Much Does Dog Insurance Cost?
Monthly premiums can start from under £10, but for many owners, the real cost depends on breed, age, health history, and what level of cover they’re after.
There’s no fixed price for dog insurance in the UK. You could pay as little as £6 a month for basic accident-only cover on a young mixed breed, or well over £70 if you’re insuring an older pedigree with lifetime protection. Prices reflect risk—and that risk goes up with age, location, and medical history.
Here’s how typical monthly costs break down by policy type:
| Policy Type | Typical Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Accident-only | £5 – £15 |
| Time-limited | £10 – £30 |
| Maximum benefit | £15 – £40 |
| Lifetime | £25 – £80+ |
Pedigrees are often more expensive to cover because of known health issues. Bulldogs, for instance, are prone to breathing problems. German Shepherds? Joint issues. The insurer factors this in before you even see a quote.
Other key influences include your postcode (urban areas tend to mean higher vet costs), any previous claims, and your choice of optional extras. Add-ons like dental or overseas cover will nudge the price up, while agreeing to a higher excess could bring it down.
If you’re trying to keep costs down, insuring your dog while they’re young is a smart move. Not only are premiums lower, but you’ll also avoid exclusions for conditions that arise before the policy starts—something no insurer will overlook.
How Can I Save Money On Dog Insurance?
The trick to saving money on dog insurance isn’t always about finding the cheapest premium—it’s about making sure you’re not paying for cover you don’t need, and not skimping where it counts.
Start with the essentials. What do you actually need to insure against? If your dog is young, healthy, and not a pedigree, you might not need a lifetime policy yet. That doesn’t mean you should go with the cheapest option, but there’s room to tailor your cover.
Now think about timing. If you’re switching insurers, don’t wait until a condition develops. Insurers won’t cover anything that’s already started, and you could end up locked into higher premiums if you delay.
Then look at the policy details. Can you increase your voluntary excess a little? Could you do without the add-ons like holiday cancellation or complementary therapy? Are you being charged for perks you didn’t ask for?
Here are a few tried-and-tested ways to bring your premium down:
- Insure early – premiums are usually lower if you cover your dog while they’re young and healthy
- Choose a higher excess – if you can afford to contribute more toward a claim, your monthly cost may drop
- Avoid over-insuring – don’t pay for cover you’re unlikely to use
- Stick to lower-risk breeds – crossbreeds generally cost less to insure than purebreds
- Review annually – prices change, and loyalty isn’t always rewarded in pet insurance
- Skip unnecessary extras – such as overseas travel cover if you’ve no plans to take your dog abroad
One more thing—always compare. Some insurers price aggressively for certain breeds or regions, while others avoid them altogether. The only way to know what’s fair is to see your options side by side. A quote that looks expensive in isolation might actually be competitive once you compare.
How To Compare Dog Insurance Quotes At SimplyQuote?
Getting a dog insurance quote with SimplyQuote.co.uk is quick, clear, and designed to take the hassle out of finding the right policy.
Here’s how it works:
- Tell us about your dog
Enter your dog’s breed, age, gender, and whether they’ve been neutered. You’ll also need to confirm if they’re microchipped and whether they have any existing health conditions. - Enter your details
Provide your postcode and confirm whether the dog lives with you full-time. If you’re the legal owner, you’re ready to proceed. - Choose your level of cover
Select the policy type that fits your needs—lifetime, time-limited, maximum benefit or accident-only. You can also add optional extras like dental care or travel insurance if relevant. - Tailor the policy
Adjust your voluntary excess and review what’s included. Some owners prefer higher cover limits, while others want to keep monthly costs down. - Compare quotes
View your results side-by-side. You’ll see quotes from a wide panel of UK pet insurers, with clear comparisons on price, features, and what’s actually covered. - Finalise your choice
Once you’ve found a quote that suits you, you’ll be taken to the insurer’s site to complete the purchase. No repeated forms. No hidden fees. No commitment unless you’re ready.
The entire process usually takes under five minutes. And because we’ve partnered with Quotezone, you’re not just comparing one or two options—you’re tapping into one of the UK’s most comprehensive insurance networks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but options may be limited. Some insurers cap new policies at 8 years old for certain breeds. Lifetime policies started early are usually your best bet for older dogs.
No. Vaccinations, flea treatments, and other routine care are usually excluded. These are considered standard pet owner responsibilities, not insurable events.
Yes, but cover for that condition may be excluded. Some providers offer policies with limited or conditional coverage, but full inclusion is rare.
Only some policies include dental care—and it’s often limited to injury-related treatment. Routine cleaning or decay from poor dental hygiene is usually excluded.
Most comprehensive policies include third-party liability. This protects you if your dog causes injury or damage to others. Always check if it’s listed.
Yes. Most insurers offer a 14-day cooling-off period with a full refund if no claim has been made. After that, cancellation terms vary.
It’s likely. Insurers may increase premiums after a claim, especially for ongoing conditions. Shopping around at renewal can help you find a better deal.
No. Pet insurance is typically non-transferable. The new owner would need to start a fresh policy in their own name.
Written by Chris Richards
Page last reviewed on 12th June 2025 by Chris Richards