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Puppy insurance

29/04/2025

Lauren McAfee Insurance Editor and Writer

Last Updated: 29 April 2025
Read time: 6 minutes

Written by: Lauren McAfee
Insurance Writer and Editor

Reviewed by: Mark McKeown

Written in line with our Editorial Guidelines

At what age can you insure a puppy?

The majority of providers will insure a puppy once it is 8 weeks old. However, others could provide cover for dogs as young as 5 weeks old. This is important to know if you are just starting your puppy insurance comparison, as some insurers will not provide you with a quote if you try to insure too soon. 

Should I get insurance for a puppy?

Dogs can live an average of 10-13 years, depending on the breed. So, insuring a puppy can be a worthwhile investment when considering the cost of vet care throughout their lifetime. 

The average amount that pet owners claimed from their insurance was £668 in 2023**. Weighing an expense like this against the cost of insuring a dog gives a clear example of how insurance can safeguard your finances, and even your puppy’s life. 

When you compare with Quotezone, you could you could pay as low as £3.35 per month* when insuring a dog.

What is the best pet insurance for puppies?

There are different levels of insurance coverage for pets. Finding the best option for you and your pet starts with knowing your options. 

Lifetime insurance

Lifetime pet insurance offers some of the most comprehensive coverage. You’ll pay an annual premium to cover your puppy against a wide range of risks, including accidents and illness. 

A unique feature of this coverage is that it will cover your puppy for medical issues it develops during the course of the year. With other policy types, these would be excluded as “pre-existing conditions” when the policy is renewed. But with lifetime insurance, these stay covered for as long as the policy is renewed.

Annual insurance

Annual policies are often more affordable than lifetime insurance, particularly when your dog is young and healthy. It also gives you more freedom to shop around on renewal. 

However, after 12 months, any renewal is treated as a completely new and separate policy. This means any ongoing medical conditions your puppy suffers from will not be covered going forward. 

Accident only cover

Accident-only policies provide cover for veterinary expenses if your puppy is involved in an accident. It is usually the cheapest type of insurance for puppies, but it is also very limited, so it could still leave you open to bills for illnesses. 

Maximum benefit insurance

This cover is set up differently from other options. It provides a maximum claim limit for accidents or illnesses, and the coverage expires once these are used. This means you are not obligated to renew each year, so you could offer more cost-effective cover. 

What does puppy pet insurance cover?

The coverage on a puppy dog insurance policy can differ from one insurance provider to the next. The type of policy you choose will also have a major impact on what’s covered and what isn’t. But as a general rule of thumb, you can expect many of the following situations to be covered:

1. Veterinary bills 

The coverage on a puppy dog insurance policy can differ from one insurance provider to the next. The type of policy you choose will also have a major impact on what’s covered and what isn’t. But as a general rule of thumb, you can expect many of the following situations to be covered:

2. Loss or theft of your puppy

If your puppy is lost or stolen, rewards and advertising costs can be covered. Some providers will also cover what you paid for the puppy in the unfortunate event that it isn’t found.

3. Liability cover

In the UK, you are liable for any damage caused by your dog. This insurance protects you against legal expenses if your puppy causes damage or injury to another person, their possessions, or their animals.

4. Death & euthanasia

While losing your pet is sure to be heartbreaking, some insurance policies will be there to help with the cost of euthanasia if your vet deems this necessary.

5. Emergency kennel fees

If you ever need to go to hospital for an extended stay, many of the best puppy insurance policies will help cover the cost of emergency kennel fees.

What is not covered by puppy insurance in the UK?

1. Routine or preventative care 

Routine check-ups, grooming, vaccinations and neutering are all unlikely to be covered by your insurance. If you fail to have your puppy vaccinated, any care needed as a result of preventable illness will also be excluded. 

2. Pre-existing medical conditions

Treatment for conditions that existed before the policy started is typically not covered. Lifetime insurance policies make exceptions for this, provided you consistently renew the policy before it lapses.  

3. Pregnancy or birth

Most insurers will not cover risks related to pregnancy, labour or delivery. Care for resulting puppies will also not be covered, and each will need to be insured separately, or on a multi-pet policy when they are old enough. 

4. Common conditions for specific breeds

If your puppy’s breed is at high risk of developing a certain condition, insurers may exclude cover for this. For example, certain bulldogs commonly suffer airway problems while dachshunds often develop back issues. 

5. Claims made within the waiting period 

A typical waiting period for animal insurance is 14 days. This means you can not make claims within the 2 weeks after you take out the policy. Instant pet cover may be available for emergencies, and these come with their own terms.

How much does puppy insurance cost?

The price of puppy insurance varies widely. This depends on several factors, but one of the most important is the type of policy you choose. As a guide, studies from May 2024 put the price of a lifetime pet insurance policy in the UK at £134 a year, whereas an accident-only policy costs £54***.

 Other factors which will influence the price you pay for your insurance include:

  • Age – Generally speaking, the younger you insure your puppy, the cheaper your premiums. These then increase as your puppy ages, and health issues become more likely. 
  • Breed – Certain breeds are more susceptible to diseases and medical conditions than others. This increases the risk of a claim being made, making these breeds more expensive to insure.
  • Your location – If you live in an area with high vet fees or records of dog theft, this could increase the cost of your insurance. 
  • Coverage limits – The higher the coverage limit on your policy, the more you can expect to pay on your premiums. This is simply due to you being offered more coverage, which will be a greater cost to the insurer in the event of the claim.
  • Provider –  Each insurance provider is different and will have their own deals and offers. This is why you should always compare multiple insurers before you buy, so you don’t miss out on finding cheap puppy insurance deals.

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Puppy Insurance FAQs

Are puppy vaccinations covered by insurance?

No, vaccinating your puppy is considered routine preventative care, much like having it neutered or chipped. 

Will my puppy need microchipping?

Yes, UK law states all puppies must be registered and microchipped by the time they are 8 weeks old. This chip links your contact details to the puppy so you can be contacted if the puppy goes missing. If you get your puppy from a breeder or rehoming centre, they could chip the dog for you.

Can I get multi-pet insurance for puppies?

Yes, if you have more than one pet to insure, you can bundle their cover onto one policy with a multi-pet policy. This is useful for multi-pet homes or if you are keeping more than one pup from a litter. 

Does puppy medical insurance include dental care?

Dental care needed as a result of an accident or illness will typically be covered in accordance with the coverage type you choose. For more comprehensive dental care, some insurers will offer add-ons.

When can I take my puppy outside?

To fully ensure your puppy’s safety, it’s recommended that you wait until two weeks after its final vaccination. It’s also important to ensure that the puppy has been neutered, microchipped and insured before letting them outside in public. This protects you both from all eventualities, helping give peace of mind in an already stressful situation. 

What are the first things you need for a puppy?

For immediate care, you’ll need:

  • Food and bowls
  • A bed, a  crate of blankets
  • A collar or harness and lead
  • Poo bags and cleaning products
  • To register with a vet for microchipping and vaccinations
  • To compare puppy insurance
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Sources 
*Price per month for cover based on a dog, Burger, one year old, no known medical conditions and up-to-date vaccinations. Based on quote data provided by Seopa Ltd during November 2024. The quote price you could achieve is dependent on your individual circumstances.
**https://www.statista.com/statistics/830129/average-pet-insurance-claim-united-kingdom-uk/ 
***https://www.statista.com/statistics/830350/annual-dog-insurance-costs-united-kingdom-by-policy-type/