One in five pet owners hit with unexpected vet bills

Nearly one in five pet owners have had to pay for treatment or medication themselves as they didn’t have appropriate pet insurance cover, new data reveals.

A survey conducted by pet insurance specialists at Quotezone.co.uk shows 19% have had to cover vet costs out of pocket after discovering they weren’t eligible for a payout.

Of those surveyed, 20% admitted they found pet insurance confusing, with 12% of owners saying they didn’t opt for any cover at all.

Pet ownership is widespread across the UK, with 36% of households owning at least one dog* and 24% owning a cat in 2025.**

In fact, 4.6 million pets are now insured in the UK,*** but many pet insurance policies contain exclusions, limits or time restrictions that owners may not fully understand until they need to claim.

Pre-existing conditions, certain hereditary illnesses, dental treatment and behavioural issues are among the most common areas where cover could fall short.

Emergency procedures and ongoing treatments often cost hundreds or even thousands of pounds, so being underinsured can quickly turn into a financial nightmare.

With one in 10 pets still completely uninsured, Quotezone’s pet insurance experts are urging owners to research exactly what they need from a pet policy and speak to a provider if they are unsure – helping to prevent distress and unexpected bills. 

Quotezone’s data shows lifetime cover proves to be the most popular type of insurance – with comprehensive coverage, protecting pets against illnesses and injuries throughout their lives.

At the other end of the scale, accident-only pet insurance is often the cheapest option. This is because it usually has a limit for each claim and only covers injuries or accidents. This type of policy does not cover long-term or chronic illnesses and often has low payout caps, meaning vet bills could quickly exceed any limits and leave pet owners exposed to soaring costs.

5 Key Watch Outs on Pet Insurance

1 – Pet insurance doesn’t usually cover ‘routine’ care such as vaccinations, dental care, flea treatments or spaying

2 – Check what exclusions apply to that particular policy – such as pre-existing conditions 

3 – Older pets may be subject to limitations such as a larger excess on claims 

4 – Extras may not be included as standard, check for additional items such as missing pet and death cover

5 – If you like to travel, check your policy covers overseas and emergency care, just in case you are hospitalized 

Helen Rolph, pet insurance expert at Quotezone.co.uk said: “Too many owners assume they’re protected, only to find out at the worst possible moment that their policy doesn’t cover the treatment their pet needs – something that nearly a fifth of owners have unfortunately already experienced.

“We understand why 20% of pet owners might find the process of choosing an appropriate insurance policy confusing as there are lots of different options to consider, but help is at hand. Price comparison sites such as ours give tips and explanations throughout the quote form, to help animal lovers see clearly what they need and how much it will cost. Contact information is also available to reach out to the individual providers directly for a chat if anything needs a double check.

“Taking time to check exclusions, limits and excesses is so important to make sure pets and finances are fully protected.

“If affordable, a lifetime policy with a decent annual limit often offers far better long-term value despite the higher monthly costs, but it’s always important to compare policies tailored to your pet and their specific needs. Remember, if you want to switch providers and move to a cheaper lifetime policy, it may not cover existing conditions, so well worth discussing before cancelling the cover.

“It’s also really important that all your details are accurate, even things like moving house, you need to make sure all the information the insurance provider has is correct or you risk invalidating your policy and leaving your pet and your finances unprotected.” 

As a price comparison site, Quotezone helps animal lovers compare and find savings on all sorts of products, such as puppy, older dog and multi pet insurance. 

References:
*https://thegoodkennelguide.co.uk/post/the-ultimate-guide-to-dog-ownership-in-the-uk-2025-edition
**https://www.cats.org.uk/about-cp/cats-report
***https://www.postonline.co.uk/resource/7958818/infographic-uk-pet-insurance-facts-2025

Quotezone.co.uk’s findings are based on a randomised survey of 1,000 respondents across the UK during February 2026, which represents a margin of error of approximately 5% at a 95% confidence level.

This article is intended as generic information only and is not intended to apply to anybody’s specific circumstances, demands or needs. The views expressed are not intended to provide any financial service or to give any recommendation or advice. Products and services are only mentioned for illustrative rather than promotional purposes.