Best dog insurance 2024 - Which? (2024)

Our expert reviews rate the quality of different policy types, helping you to find the cover you need

DS

Dean SobersSenior researcher & writer

What is dog insurance?

Dog insurance helps cover the cost of treatment if your dog falls ill or gets injured.

It will also pay compensation costs if you're taken to court for damages or injury caused by your dog.

To find the best cover, we've analysed 167 dog insurance policies and picked Which? Best Buys.

And to get the best products for your faithful friend, see our dog harness and dog food reviews.

Please note that the information in this article is for information purposes only and does not constitute advice. Please refer to the particular terms and conditions of an insurer before committing to any financial products.

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Best dog insurance policies

Agria Lifetime Premium

• 83% policy score for dog cover, joint first of 167 dog policies we reviewed
• 70% customer score, placing it first of the 10 insurers we had customer scores for

We like: One of the highest vet-fee limits available – £20,000 per year. The cap includes costs for scans and also £750 for therapy provided by a behaviourist.

We don't like: As with most (but not all) policies, conditions that started before the policy was taken out are excluded.

• Read our expert review of Agria pet insurance

Kennel Club Lifetime Premium

• 83% policy score for dog cover. This places it joint first of 167 dog policies we reviewed

We like: The highest vet-fee limit among products we reviewed – £25,000. Also a high liability limit (for compensation costs if your dog damages property or causes injury) – £3,000,000

We don't like: Holiday cancellation cover only applies if the dog requires 'lifesaving' treatment or surgery.

• Read our expert review of Kennel Club pet insurance

Dog insurance policies compared

We've divided the tables by the type of policy – see below for explanations – and ranked policies by policy score.

Only annual lifetime and lifetime per-condition policies can be Best Buys.

How can you save money on dog insurance?

1. Find out the needs of your dog breed

According to the Association of British Insurers, the average pet insurance claim paid in 2022 was £771. Factoring in the possibility of needing to make multiple claims, and the fact that vets' prices are on the rise, we wouldn't recommend a policy that pays out less than £2,000 annually.

But all pets are different, so it's well worth understanding your dog's needs to make sure you get adequate cover.

Dogs are generally more expensive to maintain (and insure) than cats, and certain breeds are more susceptible to chronic conditions than others. For example, Labrador retrievers can be prone to cruciate ligament problems, while dachshunds are prone to getting back problems, both of which can set you back thousands of pounds in treatment costs.

Talk to your vet about common conditions and what level of cover they recommend.

2. Buy insurance when your dog is healthy

This might seem counterintuitive, but as most policies exclude pre-existing conditions, buying early means you're maximising the cover your pet will get.

3. Make sure your dog is up to date on its jabs

Make sure your dog gets the appropriate inoculations and injections, including boosters, to minimise its chance of getting an illness that could lead to expensive premiums.

4. Pay annually (if you can afford it)

Your insurer may charge interest if you pay monthly rather than annually, which can be expensive.

5. Haggle at renewal

If the insurer increases your dog's premiums without good reason, call them to discuss the premium. They may be open to negotiation.

• Find out more:how to find cheap pet insurance

Do you need dog insurance?

Dean Sobers, Which? insurance expert says:

'For most breeds of dog, you aren't legally required to own pet insurance, so it's ultimately your choice as to whether you want to fork out on premiums.

'With no NHS for pets – and some vets procedures costing thousands of pounds – insurance means you'll have significantly less to worry about should your dog require expensive medical treatment.

'The main downside is pet cover can also be fairly pricey (especially for older pets), and exclusions or high compulsory excesses can chip away at the policy's value.

'One alternative to owning insurance is “self-insuring” – paying for your dog's medical needs from savings. If you put aside regular amounts into a savings account, you'll have a growing fund to help pay for steep vet bills.'

• Find out more:pet insurance alternatives

Types of dog insurance

About Which? dog insurance research

In December 2023, we analysed 167 pet insurance policies covering dogs, examining the amounts they paid out in vet fees, and other benefits they provide, including costs for holiday cancellation, dental cover and advertising and reward costs to help find your dog if it goes missing.

We compared 34 features of the policies, plus the amount each pays in vet fees, to create a policy score. The higher the score, the more comprehensive the cover.

Policies that we've named as Best Buys are all lifetime policies that did well in our analysis of cover, scoring at least 67%. In addition:

• Each will pay out a minimum of £2,000 per year in vet fees.
• Each will pay out a minimum of £1,000 for any single condition in a year, if an annual condition limit applies.
• They all provide dental cover for both accidents and illnesses.

Find the right policy for your pet using the service provided by Confused.com

Find the right policy for your pet using the service provided by Confused.com