What Dog Insurance Is Best? How To Choose

We never want it to happen, but dogs get sick. Small dogs like Corgis, in particular, are prone to health conditions such as IVDD that will likely need a lot of costly treatments if they are unfortunate enough to develop it. No matter what happens (or doesn’t), you need to be prepared to get them the medical attention they need. 

The problem is that vets are very expensive, and an X-ray alone can easily cost you £300 before anything else. This is why pet insurance is so important. It gives you peace of mind knowing that accidents and illnesses are covered if they occur.

But what about the best pet insurance? Keep reading to find out more. 

Why Pet Insurance Is Important 

We never want to see our dogs get injured, but it happens. Most of us have been there at least once. Not only is it stressful waiting to know if they’re going to be okay. It can also be stressful wondering what the bill is going to be like afterwards. Pet insurance ensures your dog gets immediate treatment so they can be taken care of and put on the road to recovery quickly. 

Without pet insurance, your dog might not be given any medical attention. Many owners have felt forced to sign their dogs over to rescues and charities because they simply cannot afford the treatment their dog needs to survive. It’s heartbreaking. And no one should have to be put in that position just so they can give their dog a chance. 

Getting pet insurance might seem like yet another bill to worry about. But the truth is that it could save your dog’s life when they need it most. No one should have to watch their dog suffer, and the last thing you want is to prolong it for your Corgi when you could be fixing it. 

Is Pet Insurance Cheaper For Small Dogs?

Smaller dogs don’t necessarily get cheaper treatment. Corgis and other small breeds are assessed based on their age, past health conditions, sex, and breed. For example, Corgis are prone to spinal conditions, which means they might end up being more expensive than, say, a Labrador Retriever. It really does depend on the little things. 

Similarly, Dachshunds are more likely to develop a series of different ailments in relation to their spines and legs, and this can make their insurance cost more. If they are older, this also has an impact as age often correlates with illness and injury. Therefore, you can’t expect a discount based on the size of your dog. 

Best Pet Insurance UK 

In the UK, there are loads of great pet insurance companies. However, these four have proven themselves as the cream of the crop and the best choice for those who need coverage.

1. Agria Lifetime Premium 

Agria is a fantastic insurance choice for dog owners everywhere. It has one of the highest coverage plans at £20,000 per year, and it includes a whole list of extras that it covers. This means scans and therapy from behaviorists are covered by the annual cap. It also offers the classics, like reward coverage for lost pets and third-party damage. 

PROS	CONS
High and comprehensive coverage  Claims don’t increase your premiums   Multiple discounts available  24/7 vet helpline for emergencies and concerns	Fixed excess charges are quite high No coverage for pre-existing conditions

2. Kennel Club Lifetime Premium

The Kennel Club has the highest annual allowance in its plan at £25,000 per year, and it is underwritten by Agria. It covers illness and injury, as expected, and there is a free video call service with vets that runs 24/7 for customers. It’s got all the good extras, such as reward coverage, cremation coverage, and protection for third-party damage. 

The downside is that the holiday cancellation cover is only applicable if your pet needs life-saving emergency treatment. This is stricter than most other providers. 

PROS	CONS
Coverage that refreshes every year  98% of claims are paid and many are direct to vet   No premium increases when you make a claim  24/7 vet helpline for emergencies and concerns	10% co-payment for dogs over five   Fixed excess of £85 per condition per year

3. PetPlan Lifetime Insurance 

PetPlan is one of the leading insurance companies in the UK, and it has been for several decades. Its lifetime coverage doesn’t have a limit, which means those conditions are covered for life and not for a set number of years. They give you all the good extras, and they have the longest claim submission window and approve 90% of their insurance claims. 

However, PayPlan only covers up to £12,000 of vet bills every year for the lifetime plan. While this is enough for most, it is a downside compared to other providers. 

PROS	CONS
Coverage that refreshes annually for less stress  Covers chronic conditions that occur while insured  No claim limits for each pet covered   Quick payouts and often direct through the vet	Higher premiums  Some upper age limit restrictions depending on the policy

4. ManyPets Lifetime Insurance 

The lifetime plan for ManyPets covers you for up to £15,000 per year, which is one of the better options available. It’s very comprehensive, and it’s one of the rare providers that will allow you to claim for pre-existing conditions. There is also access to free video calls with vets and a year’s worth of free pet sitting if you need it, with a value of up to £100. 

PROS	CONS
One excess charge per year instead of per condition  Coverage for some pre-existing conditions  No upper age limit   24/7 vet helpline for emergencies and concerns	20% co-payment for pets over 9  Higher premiums than most others

5. Sainsbury’s Bank 

I’ve included Sainsbury’s in here because it’s the provider used for Winston the Corgi. What’s great about Sainsbury’s is that they include holiday cover in the plan (up to 90 days abroad). This is ideal for anyone who enjoys traveling and/or working abroad with their dog in tow. Coverage for Winston comes to around £42 per month. Below is a comparison table of Sainsbury’s vs. PetPlan (taken from Sainsbury’s website).

Best Pet Insurance USA 

For those in the USA, these four pet insurance providers have been shown to be some of the most reliable, affordable, and comprehensive of those available. 

1. ASPCA Unlimited 

This insurance company covers accidents and illnesses, and there is also the option to take out a wellness plan. You can have unlimited annual coverage if you choose it, and the reimbursement rate goes up to 90%. They cover alternative therapies, behavioral conditions, and cognitive therapies if needed, and they have a shorter waiting period than most. 

However, if you want a quote, you have to call them up. You can’t get one online if you are interested in the unlimited annual coverage. 

PROS	CONS
No age or breed restriction Microchipping is included  Multiple discounts available  No payout limits over the lifetime of a pet	Limited options for annual coverage  Slow processing for claims made

2. Embrace Unlimited 

There is unlimited annual coverage if you need it for this insurance provider, and they cover curable pre-existing conditions within reason. If you get a veterinary exam, you can skip over the waiting period for orthopaedic care to kick in. It also covers accidents and illnesses so your dog can get back on track. It’s really good for chiropractic care. 

However, it doesn’t cover prescription food or any supplements unless you decide to take out a wellness plan with your insurance. 

PROS	CONS
Healthy pet discount for those with low claims  Coverage for preventable pre-existing conditions   Exam fee coverage and customizable plans   24/7 vet helpline for emergencies and concerns	Age restrictions and exclusions  High premium increases

3. Hartville Unlimited 

This plan also offers up to $5,000 per year and has coverage for accidents and illnesses. There is a 10% discount if you have multiple pets, and you’re able to customize your policy in different ways. Most curable pre-existing conditions are covered, and there is a 24/7 vet line available. You even have the option for unlimited annual coverage if you need it. 

PROS	CONS
No age or breed restrictions Coverage for pre-exisiting conditions   Exam fee and dental coverage offered   24/7 vet helpline for emergencies and concerns	Claims take 30 days to process   Higher premiums than most

4. MetLife Unlimited 

This is a good insurance choice as it has an annual coverage of up to $5,000 with an 80% reimbursement rate. In some states, the deductible even goes down each year that you don’t make a claim. It covers accidents and illnesses, and you’ll even find coverage for many different holistic treatments. It’s also great at paying out for orthopedic issues. 

However, there is no option to have the insurance company pay the vet directly. This means you’ll need to make a claim after you’ve paid your vet. 

PROS	CONS
No age or breed restriction Affordable coverage with customizable plans  Multiple discounts available  24/7 vet helpline for emergencies and concerns	Limited options for annual coverage  Slow processing for claims made

Best Pet Insurance France

If you’re in France, these are the top two insurance companies for dogs. They all offer excellent plans that can help protect your pet if they get sick or injured. 

1. Allianz Premium

This insurance company offers 12% off for those who decide to sign up online, and you can get an annual limit of €25,000 for coverage. They cover accidents and illnesses alongside third-party liability and other bonuses such as rewards and holiday cancelations. You’ll even get your boarding fees covered if you are sick and need to be hospitalized. 

PROS	CONS
It’s very affordable coverage for all pets  The insurance policies are valid across the EU (including Switzerland) Accidents are covered, including dog attacks  There is multilingual support	Pre-existing conditions are not covered  Pets over the age of seven might not be eligible for new policies  It needs to be manually renewed each year

2. Lovys Premium

You get an annual coverage of €20,000 per year, and this plan actually covers therapeutic feeding. This means special food is covered for up to a certain amount each year, and they also offer preventative care packages. Accidents and illnesses are covered with the premium package and there is never any deductible to pay. They have it all covered. 

PROS	CONS
It’s quick and easy to start online  There is no deductible  Flexible coverage makes life easier and cheaper  It offers a competitive reimbursement rate	There are limitations and exclusions for conditions covered  Some breeds may experience limited coverage

How Much Will Pet Insurance Cost? 

It’s difficult to calculate the cost of pet insurance. It depends on several factors. This can include the following:

• Breed
• Age 
• Sex 
• Neutered (not neutered is more expensive)
• Past illnesses 

All of these can cause the price to increase or decrease depending on how much of a risk the insurance company feels your pet will be. Naturally, older dogs are more expensive to insure. Seniors are often extortionate because they are expected to get sick and need treatment. This is why it’s good to check out several options before you commit. 

What About Veterinary Payment Plans?

One thing that seems to vary between countries is whether or not vets offer payment plans. In the UK, there is a chance that your vet will allow you to pay for treatment in installments. It’s quite common, and if you’ve been with your practice for a while, they are more likely to offer it. For many owners, it’s a lifeline when the vet bills become too high. 

Much of Europe is the same. In countries like Germany and France, it is quite common to see vet practices offering payment plans to help spread the cost for owners and take some of the pressure off their shoulders. Not all vets will offer it and it shouldn’t be taken as a guarantee. But it is definitely worth asking about if you have a large bill coming up. 

What about the Usa?

However, in the USA we tend to see a different story. In the UK and Europe, pet insurance is taken first and it’s often put through as a claim by the vet so you only have to cover your excess. They offer payment plans as a last resort to those who don’t have insurance or whose pets have conditions that aren’t covered by their plan. Insurance is practically a guarantee in Europe. 

For those in the USA, insurance is often rejected by veterinary practices. It doesn’t matter what the treatment is for, many people have reported their insurance being rejected even though it is supposed to cover their pet’s condition. As a result, a lot of Americans see pet insurance as more of a scam than a form of protection for their pet. 

While it might vary between states, this is a common trend that I have seen when talking to pet owners in America. Vets there prefer to offer payment plans instead of going through insurance companies, which is a huge flip compared to the approach in Europe. There is a preference for debt rather than getting paid for the procedures and treatment through pet insurance.

What Does Pet Insurance Cover?

It’s important to remember that providers have different terms and conditions for coverage. You will need to check out individual policies before you commit. However, you can use this as a good blanket for what to expect from your pet insurance coverage. 

Your vet bills will be covered for up to a set amount, usually up to £25,000 per year. This depends on the plan that you have selected, and it doesn’t tend to cover routine treatments or anything associated with your pet’s pregnancy or birthing. You will find most providers cover dental work, but not all of them will cover illnesses and only cover injuries. 

Most policies will ensure a pet is taken care of if they get sick or injured while they are abroad. Additionally, if you end up in hospital and your dog needs to be cared for in kennels, your insurance will usually cover the cost while you’re recovering. Many of them will even cover posters and rewards if your pet goes missing or is stolen. 

If your dog injures someone or damages property, you will usually have third-party liability insurance that protects you and pays out. This also covers legal expenses. Some providers will also claim an amount if your pet dies, usually reflecting what you paid for them. However, most companies set an age limit of eight and below for this. 

Types Of Pet Insurance

There are three main types of pet insurance available to owners in the UK, USA, and France. While you should always go for the highest tier to ensure you are fully covered, it’s good to have a rough understanding of what to expect. These are the types of pet insurance you will come across when choosing a policy:

1. Lifetime/Ultimate/Premium: Annual coverage that includes all conditions and resets every year. There is also a maximum limit for conditions your pet might have that resets annually. Existing illnesses can roll over to the next year if needed. 
2. Non-Lifetime: This pays a certain amount per condition, and that condition is then excluded from future payouts once you have reached the maximum limit. It usually has a limit for each condition and for time, which is typically 12 months. 
3. Accident Only: It’s the cheapest form of insurance and excludes illness, but it will pay a set amount towards any treatment your pet needs as a result of an accident. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What Is The Average Cost Of Dog Insurance? 

The average cost of dog insurance varies according to different countries and areas. In the UK, the average cost of insurance for dogs is £11.35 per month. If you’re based in the USA, you are looking at an average of $17 per month. In France, the average is €9.90 per month. It’s all roughly the same price, and this tends to be for the most basic plans. 

Is Expensive Pet Insurance Better? 

When we talk about expensive pet insurance, it usually refers to the premium and lifetime plans. These are the best choices because they cover the most in terms of veterinary costs, and they will pay for a wide range of illnesses compared to the basic plans that often cover accidents and nothing else. So, in terms of plans, the higher tiers are almost always better. 

Are Vet Bills Expensive?

Vet bills are very expensive, and surgeries alone often cost thousands. Even blood tests and medications cost a lot, and routine procedures such as neutering will set you back a couple of hundred (especially for females). While insurance doesn’t cover things like neutering, it will pay for any other surgeries caused by accidents and illnesses. 

Final Thoughts 

Pet insurance can be costly, but vet bills are even more expensive and can land you in a lot of debt. While there are some kind-hearted vets out there who might allow a payment plan, most aren’t like that. They will insist on insurance or payment before treatment. Having insurance means everything is covered, so you can focus on your furry friend. 

I know what it’s like to have to worry about massive vet bills. I had a Labrador who went to the Super Vet in the UK when he was starting out for a revolutionary surgery that saved his life (and he lived until he was fifteen). Without insurance, he never would have had the surgery he needed, and we would have lost him when he was young. Make the right choice. Get insured.