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Dog Insurance

Best Dog Insurance UK 2026

Q: Does dog insurance go up every year?

Yes — UK dog insurance premiums typically increase each year at renewal, especially as your dog ages. Insurers factor in your dog's age, claims history, and general vet cost inflation. Expect 5–15% increases per year on average, with larger jumps after claims or after age 7.

Q: Can I switch dog insurers to get a lower premium?

Yes, but with important caveats. Any condition your dog has been treated for under your current policy will be treated as a pre-existing condition by the new insurer and excluded from cover. Switching is best done when your dog is young and healthy, before any conditions are on record.

Q: What does excess mean in pet insurance?

The excess is the amount you pay towards each claim before your insurer pays out. Most UK pet insurance policies charge a flat excess (e.g. £100 per condition per year) plus a co-payment percentage (e.g. 20% of the remaining bill). A higher voluntary excess reduces your monthly premium.

Q: Is Agria better than Petplan?

Both are excellent — both hold 5-star Defaqto ratings. Agria typically offers higher cover limits (£12,500 vs Petplan's standard £12,000) and is often cheaper for many breeds. Petplan has longer brand heritage and slightly higher customer loyalty scores. For most new customers, Agria edges ahead on value.

Q: What age can you insure a dog in the UK?

Most UK insurers will insure a dog from 8 weeks old. For upper age limits, most accept dogs up to age 7–8 for new policies, though some (including Agria) will insure dogs with no upper age limit as long as they were first insured before a certain age. If your dog is already insured, most policies continue for life.

Q: What dog breeds are most expensive to insure?

French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, and other brachycephalic breeds consistently attract the highest insurance premiums due to their genetic health issues. Labrador Retrievers and German Shepherds are also more expensive to insure than crossbreeds due to known hip and joint problems.

Seven UK dog insurance policies compared on cover type, vet-fee limit, excess and Defaqto rating, with what to look for before you buy.

📅 Last reviewed: June 2026Our review process →

AdThis page contains affiliate links. If you buy or take out a policy through a link, Pawwala earns a commission at no extra cost to you. Rankings and verdicts are our own. Full disclosure · How we rank →

Not personal insurance advice. Pawwala is an independent editorial guide. We are not an insurer, a broker, or an FCA-authorised adviser, and we do not arrange policies. Figures on this page are examples from published information. They change with breed, age, postcode and the cover chosen. Read the policy documents and get your own quote before you buy.

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Key Takeaways

✓Choose lifetime cover if you can afford it: the vet-fee limit resets every year, so long-term conditions stay covered.
✓Check the annual limit: lifetime limits in our table run from £8,000 to £15,000 a year (awaiting re-check).
✓Read the exclusions: breed, dental and pre-existing-condition rules differ more than prices do.
✓Always choose lifetime cover over time-limited or per-condition policies for long-term protection.
✓Get insured before your dog develops any conditions — pre-existing conditions are excluded by all UK insurers.

The 8 Best Dog Insurance Policies UK 2026 — Comparison Table

We compared 8 of the most popular UK dog insurers across cover limits, excess structure, Defaqto star ratings, and typical monthly costs for a medium dog (3-year-old Labrador). All prices are indicative — get a quote for your specific dog.

Insurer	Policy Type	Annual Limit	Typical Excess	Defaqto	Approx Monthly	Notable for	Checked
Agria	Lifetime	£12,500/yr	£100 + 20%	5★	£35–£65	High lifetime limit	Awaiting re-check
Petplan	Lifetime	£12,000/yr	£80–£200	5★	£38–£75	Longest-established UK pet insurer	Awaiting re-check
ManyPets	Lifetime	Up to £15,000/yr	£99+	4★	£30–£70	High cover limits	Awaiting re-check
John Lewis Finance	Lifetime	£8,000/yr	£70–£150	5★	£32–£60	Mid-range value	Awaiting re-check
Animal Friends	Time-limited & Lifetime	Up to £10,000	£65+	3★	£18–£45	Charity-linked / budget	Awaiting re-check
Waggel	Lifetime	£10,000/yr	£80–£250	4★	£25–£55	Digital-first owners	Awaiting re-check
Saga	Lifetime	£12,000/yr	£100+	5★	£40–£80	Owners 50+	Awaiting re-check

Figures come from insurers' published policy documents and Defaqto's public ratings on the date shown in each row. Rows marked 'unverified' are awaiting a fresh check. Premiums change with breed, age, postcode and cover level. Always read the policy wording and get your own quote.

Top 5 Dog Insurance Policies: Detailed Breakdown

Agria Pet Insurance: lifetime cover with a high annual limit

Agria consistently tops independent pet insurance rankings, and for good reason. Their lifetime policies offer up to £12,500 of vet fee cover per year with no breed exclusions — unusual in the market, where many insurers quietly charge more or restrict cover for brachycephalic breeds. They hold a 5-star Defaqto rating, and their claims process is handled in-house rather than outsourced, which means faster turnarounds and fewer disputes. For a 3-year-old Labrador, expect to pay around £35–£65/month depending on your voluntary excess.

Agria Pet Insurance

5★ Defaqto · Lifetime · £12,500/yr · No breed exclusions

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ManyPets: the highest annual limit in our table

If you want the highest possible vet fee cover, ManyPets stands out with lifetime policies that go up to £15,000 per year — the highest of any mainstream UK insurer. Their pricing is competitive and their digital platform is polished. They hold a 4-star Defaqto rating (not 5, unlike Agria and Petplan), and their policy wording is generally transparent and straightforward. Particularly well suited to owners of high-risk breeds or those who want maximum financial protection for specialist treatment, including cancer therapy at specialist referral centres.

Petplan: the longest-established UK pet insurer

Petplan is the UK's oldest dedicated pet insurer and has the highest market share of any single brand. Their 5-star Defaqto-rated lifetime policies have funded countless surgeries and chronic condition treatments over the decades, and many vet practices have direct claim submissions with Petplan already set up. Premiums are slightly higher than Agria for equivalent cover — a typical medium dog runs £38–£75/month — but many owners value the brand heritage and seamless vet relationship. Petplan's renewal process and customer service scores are also consistently among the highest in the sector.

Waggel: app-based policies and claims

Waggel was built as a digital-native insurer, and it shows. Their app-based claims process is faster than most, with real-time claim tracking and no paper forms. Their lifetime policies offer up to £10,000/year with flexible excess options, and they back their cover with a 4-star Defaqto rating. Monthly costs are on the lower end for lifetime cover — typically £25–£55 for a medium dog — making them a strong option if you want solid protection without paying Petplan prices. Best suited to owners comfortable managing everything through an app.

Animal Friends: charity-linked cover

Animal Friends donates a percentage of their premiums to animal charities, making them popular with ethically-minded pet owners. They offer both time-limited and lifetime policies starting from around £18/month, making them one of the more accessible options at the budget end. Their Defaqto rating is 3 stars (lower than the top tier), and their claims process has received mixed reviews — faster for simple claims, slower for complex ones. They're a good choice if you want decent cover at a fair price and like the charitable element, but for premium protection, Agria or Petplan are stronger choices.

How We Scored Each Policy

Every policy in this comparison was assessed against five criteria, each weighted equally:

✓Cover limit: The annual vet fee limit and whether it resets each year (lifetime) or is fixed per condition or time-limited. Higher limits = better protection for expensive treatment like cancer or orthopaedic surgery.
✓Excess structure: The fixed excess per claim plus any co-payment percentage. Lower excess = more of your bill paid, but higher premiums. We favour clear, predictable excess structures over complex tiered systems.
✓Exclusions policy: Whether the insurer excludes breeds, bilateral conditions, hereditary conditions, or dental illness. Broad exclusion lists are a significant red flag.
✓Claims process: Speed and simplicity of the claims process — direct vet billing, app-based claims, and in-house claims handling all score higher than paper-based or outsourced systems.
✓Customer service: Based on Trustpilot scores, Defaqto ratings, and FCA complaint data. We look at complaint resolution rates and renewal dispute handling.

Which Policy Type Is Right for You?

Choosing the right policy type is arguably more important than choosing the right insurer. Here is a quick summary — for a full breakdown, see our guide to lifetime vs annual pet insurance UK.

Policy Type	How the Limit Works	Notable for	Avoid If
Lifetime	Limit resets every year at renewal	Any dog — especially high-risk breeds or those that develop chronic conditions	Budget is very tight
Per-condition	Fixed limit per condition, used up once	Dogs needing one-off cover for injuries	Your dog develops a long-term illness
Time-limited	Covered per condition for 12 months only	Budget cover — better than nothing	Chronic conditions are likely
Accident-only	Accidents only — no illness cover	Very tight budget — minimal protection	You want illness cover at all

Our recommendation is unambiguous: choose lifetime cover. The extra £10–£20/month over a time-limited policy is insignificant compared to the protection it provides if your dog develops diabetes, epilepsy, allergies, or any other chronic condition requiring ongoing treatment.

Insurance Costs by Dog Breed

Monthly premiums vary significantly by breed. The table below shows typical monthly ranges for a 3-year-old dog on a mid-tier lifetime policy in the UK. These are indicative — get a personalised quote for an accurate figure.

Breed	Low	High	Notes	Checked
Labrador Retriever	£35	£75	Hip dysplasia risk raises premiums	Awaiting re-check
French Bulldog	£65	£130+	Brachycephalic syndrome = highest premiums	Awaiting re-check
Cockapoo	£22	£50	Crossbreed hybrid vigour helps keep costs down	Awaiting re-check
Golden Retriever	£38	£80	Cancer risk increases cost vs other retrievers	Awaiting re-check
Border Collie	£28	£60	Generally healthy, moderate premiums	Awaiting re-check
Crossbreed	£18	£45	Lowest risk profile — best value for insurance	Awaiting re-check

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best dog insurance in the UK for 2026?

There is no single best policy for every dog. For most owners the features that matter most are lifetime cover (the vet-fee limit resets each year), a high annual limit, no breed exclusions and an excess you can afford. In our table, Agria and Petplan list lifetime limits of around £12,000, and ManyPets lists up to £15,000 (figures awaiting re-check). Compare the policy wording and get quotes for your own dog.

What is the best dog insurance for a French Bulldog?

French Bulldogs are prone to brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), which can need ongoing treatment. Look for lifetime cover with a high annual limit and no breed exclusions, and check the policy wording for BOAS or breathing-related exclusions. Time-limited and per-condition policies cap ongoing conditions, so they suit this breed poorly.

Does dog insurance go up every year?

Yes — UK dog insurance premiums typically increase at renewal, especially as your dog ages. Expect 5–15% increases per year on average, with larger jumps after claims or after age 7.

Can I switch dog insurers to get a lower premium?

Yes, but any condition your dog has been treated for will be classed as pre-existing by the new insurer and excluded. Switching is best done when your dog is young and healthy, before any conditions are on record.

What does excess mean in pet insurance?

The excess is the amount you pay towards each claim. Most UK policies charge a flat excess per condition plus a co-payment percentage. A higher voluntary excess reduces your monthly premium.

Is Agria better than Petplan?

Both are excellent with 5-star Defaqto ratings. Agria typically edges ahead on value for most breeds, offering slightly higher cover limits at lower premiums. Petplan has stronger vet relationships and brand heritage. For new customers, Agria is usually our top recommendation.

What age can you insure a dog in the UK?

Most UK insurers accept dogs from 8 weeks old. Upper age limits vary — most accept new policies up to age 7–8. If already insured, policies typically continue for life.

What dog breeds are most expensive to insure?

French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, and brachycephalic breeds attract the highest premiums. Labradors and German Shepherds are also above average due to joint issues. Crossbreeds are generally the cheapest to insure.

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