Pet insurance premiums vary enormously depending on your pet's species, breed, age, and the level of cover you choose. With veterinary costs rising — the CMA found average consultation fees now at £62, up 63% since 2016 — insurance is becoming increasingly important. Here is what you can expect to pay.

Average Monthly Premiums (2026)

Dogs

  • Accident-only cover: £8 to £20/month
  • Time-limited cover: £15 to £35/month
  • Lifetime cover (standard): £25 to £55/month
  • Lifetime cover (comprehensive): £40 to £80+/month

Cats

  • Accident-only cover: £5 to £12/month
  • Time-limited cover: £10 to £20/month
  • Lifetime cover (standard): £15 to £30/month
  • Lifetime cover (comprehensive): £25 to £50/month

Rabbits and Other Small Pets

  • Basic cover: £5 to £15/month

What Affects Your Premium

Breed

This is the single biggest factor for dogs. Brachycephalic breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, English Bulldogs) attract the highest premiums due to their high incidence of breathing problems, skin conditions, and spinal issues. A French Bulldog can cost £60–£100/month to insure on a lifetime policy. A crossbreed or Labrador may be half that.

Age

Premiums increase as your pet ages. Insuring a puppy costs significantly less than insuring a 7-year-old dog. Many insurers increase premiums by 10–20% per year as your pet ages, and some refuse to offer new policies for pets over 8–10 years old.

Cover Level

Lifetime cover (which renews the benefit limit each year) costs more than time-limited cover (which covers each condition for 12 months only). Accident-only cover is the cheapest but least useful for ongoing conditions.

Excess and Co-Payment

Higher voluntary excesses reduce your premium. Many policies for older pets include a compulsory 20% co-payment (you pay 20% of every claim above the excess), which keeps premiums lower but increases your out-of-pocket costs when you claim.

Location

Premiums in London and the South East are higher because veterinary fees in those regions are higher.

Understanding Cover Types

  • Accident-only: Covers injuries from accidents only (e.g. broken bones from being hit by a car). Does not cover illness.
  • Time-limited: Covers each condition for 12 months or up to a fixed amount, whichever comes first. Once the time or money limit is reached, that condition is excluded.
  • Maximum benefit: Covers each condition up to a fixed amount with no time limit, but once the limit is reached, that condition is excluded.
  • Lifetime: The benefit limit resets each year when you renew. The most comprehensive option and generally the best value for long-term conditions.

How to Reduce Your Premium

  • Insure young: Starting insurance when your pet is a puppy or kitten locks in lower premiums.
  • Choose a higher voluntary excess: Increasing your excess from £100 to £200 can reduce premiums by 10–15%.
  • Consider multi-pet discounts: Many insurers offer 5–15% off for insuring multiple pets on the same policy.
  • Compare annually: Premiums vary widely between insurers. Use comparison sites, but be cautious about switching if your pet has pre-existing conditions (which will be excluded by a new insurer).
  • Avoid unnecessary add-ons: Dental cover, overseas travel cover, and third-party liability add-ons increase premiums. Only pay for what you need.

Last updated: March 2026. Sources: Association of British Insurers, CMA veterinary market investigation (2025), VetCost practice data.