The cost of pet insurance can vary significantly from one pet to another. There isn’t a single price that applies to every dog or cat because insurers consider a range of factors when calculating your premium.
Your pet’s age and breed, where you live, the type and level of cover you choose, and other risk factors can all influence the price.
Understanding what affects the cost can help you choose cover that provides the right balance between affordability and financial protection.
What affects the price of pet insurance?
Pet insurance premiums are calculated using a number of factors. These can include:
- Your pet’s age – veterinary needs can increase as pets get older, which can affect the cost of insurance.
- Breed – some breeds may be more susceptible to particular illnesses or health conditions than others.
- Where you live – veterinary costs can vary across the UK, so your location may influence your premium.
- Type of cover – Lifetime, Maximum Benefit, Time Limited and Accident Only policies provide different levels of protection.
- Vet fee limit – generally, choosing a higher level of veterinary fee cover can increase the premium.
- Excess and co-payment – the amount you agree to contribute towards eligible claims can also affect the price of your policy.
- Other rating factors – insurers may consider additional information when assessing risk and calculating a premium.
This means two pets can receive different prices even when their owners choose a similar type of cover.
Does more pet insurance cover cost more?
Generally, a policy offering greater financial protection is likely to cost more than one providing more limited cover, although pricing will depend on the individual pet and insurer.
For example, Lifetime cover can provide ongoing protection for eligible conditions, with the vet fee allowance refreshing when the policy renews each year. Accident Only insurance provides more limited protection specifically for eligible accidental injuries.
You may also have a choice of different vet fee limits within the same type of cover.
Rather than automatically choosing the cheapest or most comprehensive option, consider how much protection you’d want if your pet required expensive or ongoing treatment.
Related guide: How much pet insurance cover do I need?
How can I reduce the cost of my pet insurance?
There can be ways to make your insurance more affordable without simply choosing the lowest level of cover.
Depending on the policy, choosing a higher excess or agreeing to a co-payment may reduce the premium because you’re agreeing to contribute more if you make an eligible claim.
If you have more than one pet, it’s also worth looking for a multi-pet discount. Scratch & Patch customers can receive a 20% multi-pet discount when insuring multiple pets together.
But price should always be considered alongside the protection you’re receiving. Saving a small amount on your premium may not represent good value if it leaves you with substantially less cover than you’d want when you need it.
Can looking after my pet help reduce veterinary costs?
Responsible pet ownership can play an important role in your pet’s health and may help reduce the likelihood or severity of some preventable health problems and associated veterinary costs.
It can’t prevent every illness or accident, and looking after your pet won’t necessarily reduce your insurance premium. However, there are practical things owners can do to support their pet’s long-term health.
Keep up with routine veterinary care
Regular vet check-ups provide an opportunity to monitor your pet’s health and potentially identify problems at an earlier stage.
Early detection doesn’t guarantee that treatment will be simpler or less expensive, but identifying some conditions before they progress can make a meaningful difference to your pet’s care.
Keep vaccinations up to date
Following your vet’s recommended vaccination programme can help protect your pet against a number of preventable infectious diseases.
Check your policy terms too, as insurers may have requirements relating to vaccinations and preventative care.
Maintain a healthy weight
Obesity can contribute to a range of health problems in dogs and cats.
Providing an appropriate diet, controlling portion sizes and ensuring your pet gets suitable exercise can help maintain a healthy weight and support their overall health.
Look after their teeth
Dental problems can cause pain and may require veterinary treatment.
Regular dental care at home, alongside veterinary dental checks where appropriate, can help maintain your pet’s oral health. Your vet can advise you on a suitable dental-care routine.
Keep up with preventative treatments
Your vet can advise on appropriate flea, tick and worming treatments based on your pet’s individual needs and lifestyle.
Preventative care can help reduce the risk of health problems caused by parasites.
Make your pet’s environment safer
Not every accident can be avoided, but simple precautions can reduce some risks.
Keeping harmful foods, medicines and toxic substances out of reach, providing secure outdoor spaces and using appropriate restraints when travelling are all part of responsible pet ownership.
Does making a claim affect the cost of pet insurance?
Your premium can change when your policy renews.
Insurers consider a range of factors when calculating renewal prices, which can include your pet getting older and changes in the expected cost of veterinary treatment. Depending on the insurer and its pricing approach, claims history may also be a factor.
Pet insurance should therefore be viewed as a long-term financial commitment, particularly if you choose Lifetime cover and want to maintain continuous protection for eligible ongoing conditions.
Why has my pet insurance price increased?
It’s possible for the cost of your insurance to increase even if you haven’t made a claim.
Pets become older each year, veterinary treatments and technology continue to develop, and the cost of providing veterinary care can change. Insurers may also update their pricing based on their assessment of future risk and claims costs.
If your renewal price changes, look at the overall cover and value of the policy, rather than the price in isolation.
Should I choose the cheapest pet insurance?
Not necessarily.
The cheapest policy may be suitable for your needs, but price alone doesn’t tell you how much protection you’re buying.
When comparing quotes, look at the:
type of cover • vet fee limit • excess • co-payment • exclusions • additional benefits
For example, two policies could have similar monthly premiums but provide very different protection if your pet develops an illness requiring treatment over several years.
Related guide: What type of pet insurance is right for me?
Finding the right balance between cost and cover
A useful way to approach pet insurance is to ask yourself two questions:
“How much can I comfortably afford to pay for insurance?”
and
“If my pet needed significant veterinary treatment, how much could I comfortably afford to pay myself?”
The right policy for you should provide a balance between those two considerations.
Responsible pet ownership, regular health checks and preventative care can help support your pet’s health and potentially reduce avoidable veterinary costs — but they can’t remove the possibility of unexpected illness or injury. That’s where insurance can provide valuable financial protection.
Pet insurance with Scratch & Patch
Scratch & Patch offers Lifetime, Maximum Benefit, Time Limited, and Accident Onlycover, with a choice of cover levels to help you find an option that suits your pet and your budget.
Scratch & Patch policies also offer a choice between 0% and 20% co-payment, and customers insuring multiple pets together can benefit from our 20% multi-pet discount.
The easiest way to find out what pet insurance will cost for your pet is to get a personalised quote.
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