Pet Insurance Comparison
Compare Pet Insurance
- Find pet insurance in a matter of minutes
- Compare up to 35 providers & you could pay from £3.09 per month*
- Top deals from many of the UK’s best insurance providers
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Pet Insurance Comparison – Compare quotes and you could save time and money
Believe it or not you CAN’T use Tiger.co.uk to insure a pet tiger… but if you own a dog, a cat or a rabbit we’ve got you covered.
Your furry friends don’t have access to the NHS, so if they’re ever ill or injured you’ll have to pay out of pocket for the medical bills. With the average veterinary bill clocking in at £750, it’s a very wise idea to invest in pet insurance protect your family’s pets.
Is it true I’ll get cheaper pet insurance if my pet is neutered?
Yes, some pet insurance specialists do offer cheaper pet insurance quotes if you do get your pet neutered before you take out pet insurance, since neutering can sometimes reduce aggressive behaviour in some pets, and can also eliminate the medical risks associated with pregnancy for female pets.
That’s because castration or spaying can reduce aggressive behaviour in some animals, and spaying can also eliminate the risks associated with pregnancy for female pets.
What about vaccinations, do they reduce my pet insurance premium as well?
Not exactly, but many pet insurance specialists stipulate that pet owners must have their pets vaccinated, including regular booster shots.
While this is often a mandatory requirement, and the cost of vaccinations often isn’t covered by the insurance policy, in long run these vaccinations can save pet owners a lot of money and heartache by reducing the risk of disease.
Is it true lifetime pet insurance is the best option for most pets?
Yes, lifetime pet insurance is usually the most comprehensive type of coverage, because unlike annual pet insurance a lifetime policy doesn’t exclude medical conditions from coverage after they’ve been diagnosed.
Of course, since lifetime pet insurance is the most comprehensive you probably won’t be surprised to learn that it’s also the most expensive.
Is it true that breeds that are more attractive to thieves often cost more to insure?
Yes, pet theft is big business in the UK, and since many pet insurance policies do cover you if your pet is ever stolen, this means that those breeds that are most attractive to thieves do tend to cost more to insure.
Is it true that house cats and dogs that live inside the house are cheaper to insure?
Yes, dogs and cats that live inside the house are less likely to be stolen or run away, and are also less likely to be hit by a car, which means they’re often a bit cheaper to insure as well.
Can I insure multiple pets under one policy?
Yes, you can insure multiple pets under one ‘multi-pet insurance’ policy, and in fact doing so is usually more cost effective than insuring each pet separately.
Which type of pet insurance fits your pet?
Most UK pet policies fall into four types. The big difference is how long vet fees for one condition stay covered, so pick the row closest to what you want.
| Type of policy | How cover for one condition works | Who it tends to suit |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime | An ongoing condition can be claimed for again each year, as long as you renew without a break | Owners who want long-term cover for problems such as skin allergies or arthritis |
| Maximum benefit | Each condition has a cash limit with no time limit. Once that limit is used, the condition is no longer covered | Owners happy to cap what can be paid out for any one illness |
| Time limited | Each condition is covered for a set period, often 12 months, and then excluded | Young, healthy pets where the main worry is a one-off illness or injury |
| Accident only | Injuries from accidents are covered, but illness is not | Owners on a tight budget who accept that illness costs fall on them |
The Financial Ombudsman Service describes lifetime cover as lasting for the pet's life as long as you renew it each year. It also mentions trial cover, usually lasting four weeks, which breeders and vets often hand over with a new pet. Policies vary, so read the wording for each one.
Cheap pet insurance: where the savings can come from
Cheap pet insurance is easier to find once you know which choices change the price. Some trim the cost with little effect on cover, while others save money by cutting what you can claim.
| Choice you make | Usual effect on the quote | The trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| A higher excess | Lower premium | You pay a bigger share of every claim |
| A lower vet fee limit | Lower premium | A long course of treatment could go past the limit |
| Time limited or maximum benefit instead of lifetime | Often lower at the start | Long-term conditions can stop being covered |
| Insuring two or more pets together | Some insurers give a multi-pet discount | Each pet still needs limits that suit it |
| Paying once a year | Some insurers charge less in total than monthly | A larger payment up front |
A low quote is only good value if the policy still pays for the bills your pet is likely to run up. Compare the limits as closely as the price.
What decides the price of pet insurance?
The price of a pet policy depends on the animal, where you live and the cover you pick. Each insurer weighs these in its own way, which is why quotes for the same pet can differ so much.
- Species and breed, as some breeds are prone to costly health problems.
- Age, since older pets tend to need more treatment.
- Your postcode.
- Health history, including any symptoms a vet has already seen.
- The vet fee limit, the excess and any co-payment you agree to.
Vet bills sit behind every claim, so changes to how vets price their work matter here. The Competition and Markets Authority closed its market investigation into vet services for household pets in September 2026 (CMA case page). Under its reforms, many owners will see upfront prices for basic services such as consultations and vaccinations, with written estimates for costly treatment to follow.
How to judge the best pet insurance for your pet
The best pet insurance for one owner can be a poor fit for another, so judge each policy against your own pet. These are the details worth reading line by line.
- The vet fee limit, and whether it applies per condition, per year or both.
- The excess, plus any co-payment that starts once your pet reaches a set age.
- Dental cover for illness as well as for accidents.
- Third-party liability if you have a dog.
- Cover for death, loss or theft, and for advertising a missing pet.
- Help with holiday cancellation if your pet needs urgent treatment.
- How soon illness cover begins after the start date.
That last point matters. The Financial Ombudsman Service notes that insurers sometimes turn down claims for a condition that first appeared within 14 days of the policy starting.
Getting ready to compare pet insurance quotes
A few minutes with your pet's paperwork makes the quote form quicker and the prices more accurate. Here is what to gather first.
- Date of birth, or a best guess for a rescue pet.
- Breed, or the main breeds in a cross.
- The microchip number. GOV.UK says all dogs must be microchipped and registered by 8 weeks old, and cats in England by 20 weeks.
- What you paid for your pet, if you want theft or death cover.
- Whether your pet is neutered and up to date with vaccinations.
- Any vet visits for symptoms, even if nothing was diagnosed.
What pet insurance usually covers, and what it leaves out
Pet insurance mainly pays vet fees for new illnesses and injuries, up to your limit. Routine care and anything that started before the policy are the usual gaps.
| Usually covered | Usually left out |
|---|---|
| Vet fees for new illness or injury, up to the limit | Conditions that showed signs before the policy began |
| Third-party liability on dog policies | Vaccinations, flea and worm treatment, and neutering |
| Advertising and a reward if your pet goes missing, on some policies | Grooming and claw clipping |
| Kennel or cattery fees if you go into hospital, on some policies | Damage your pet does to your own home |
For damage inside your own home, check your home insurance wording instead. Taking a dog or cat abroad? GOV.UK sets out the microchip, rabies jab and health certificate rules for travelling with your pet, and you may want travel insurance for yourself.
If a pet insurance claim is turned down
Complain to the insurer first. If you have no final response within eight weeks, or you are unhappy with it, you can take the complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service for free.
The ombudsman looks at disputes over pre-existing conditions, time limits and dental exclusions. It also says insurers can't normally change the basic cover of a lifetime policy except at renewal.
How pet insurance comparison works on Tiger.co.uk
Our pet insurance comparison takes one short form about you and your pet. Tiger.co.uk then shows quotes from a panel of up to 35 pet insurance providers, so you can weigh cover and price side by side.
- Tell us about your pet: species, breed, age and health.
- Choose the type of cover and the vet fee limit you want.
- Compare excess, limits and extras as well as the monthly cost.
- Pick a policy and buy it direct from the provider.
Ian Wilson, Managing Director at Tiger.co.uk, says: "Read the vet fee limit before the monthly price. A policy that runs dry halfway through treatment can cost far more than the premium you saved."
Tiger.co.uk is a trading style of Big Cat Ventures Ltd, an introducer appointed representative of Seopa Ltd. Seopa Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 313860), which you can check on the FCA register.
Ready to go? Compare pet insurance quotes with Tiger.co.uk in a few minutes. Policies vary, so check the cover details before you buy. Insuring more than one animal? See cover for several pets.
How does comparing pet insurance work?
You answer one set of questions about you and your pet. The comparison then lists quotes from several providers, so you can check limits, excess and price together before buying from the provider you choose.
Is it worth comparing pet insurance every year?
Comparing at renewal shows whether your price is still competitive. Take care with lifetime cover, though. The Financial Ombudsman Service says a new insurer is unlikely to cover conditions your pet already has, so switching can leave those uncovered.
Can I insure a pet with a pre-existing condition?
Some insurers will, often with that condition excluded or at a higher price. Tell each insurer about past symptoms and treatment, as leaving them out can lead to a refused claim later.
What does the excess mean on pet insurance?
The excess is the part of each claim you pay yourself. Some policies add a co-payment, a percentage of the bill, once a pet reaches a certain age.
How soon does pet insurance cover illness?
Many policies have a short waiting period before illness is covered, while accident cover often starts sooner. The Financial Ombudsman Service mentions claims refused for conditions that appeared within 14 days of the start date.
Can I compare insurance for a rabbit?
Yes. Tiger.co.uk compares cover for dogs, cats and rabbits. See rabbit insurance for the points that matter for rabbits.
Fact-checked by Ian Wilson, Managing Director at Tiger.co.uk. 20+ years in price comparison; MEng, Queen’s University Belfast.
*Price per month for cover based on a dog, Mika, seven months old, no known medical conditions, up-to-date vaccinations, and microchipped. Based on quote data provided by Seopa Ltd during May 2026. The quote price you could achieve is dependent on your individual circumstances.