How Pet Insurance Premiums
If you’ve noticed a change in the price of your pet insurance premium, whether it’s gone up or down, it may be due to several factors that can affect your pricing. Here are some of the reasons why.
1. Your Pet’s Getting Older
Just like us, pets become more prone to health issues as they age. As a result, premiums may increase each year to reflect a higher risk of illness in older pets.
We welcome senior dogs and cats, so they can still get access to lifetime pet insurance… that’s why we don’t put any upper age limits on our policies.
2. The Cost of Vet Care Is Rising
Veterinary care has advanced significantly in recent years, which is great news for your pet’s health!
However, these improvements often come with a higher price tag. More advanced diagnostics, specialist treatments, and modern equipment can all contribute to rising vet costs, which insurers must account for when setting premiums.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is currently reviewing the UK veterinary sector, with the aim of improving transparency and helping pet owners better understand the cost of care.
We’re here to help you manage the cost of your pet’s healthcare. Included with your policy is access to free 24/7 veterinary calls with Vet Assist.
You also benefit from exclusive discounts on prescribed pet medications (57%* average savings with online pharmacy, Hyperdrug) and parasite treatments, as well as offers from hand-picked pet brands on food, supplements and many other creature comforts.
3. Where You Live Matters
Your home’s location can affect your premium. If you live in an area where vet fees are higher, or certain claims are more common, this could impact the cost of your policy.
For example, if you’ve moved to a postcode where your insurer has had more claims than average for road traffic accidents, this may also affect the cost of your premiums.
4. Your Pet’s Breed, Health and Claims History
Some breeds are more likely to develop certain health conditions, which can affect pricing.
If you’ve made any claims or your pet has been diagnosed with a long-term condition, this can also influence future premiums.
It’s worthwhile researching breeds to help you to understand the potential health issues that may develop through your pet’s life.
5. Why Premiums May Go Down
While increases are more common, there are times your premium could decrease – for example, if you’ve reduced your level or type of cover, or if you’ve moved house to a lower risk area or a location where vet fees are cheaper.
What Can I Do?
Looking after your pet’s health doesn’t have to be complicated. Simple steps like keeping up with routine health checks and preventative care such as vaccinations and regular flea, worm, and tick treatments, can go a long way in helping you avoid costly vet bills down the line. Don’t forget about dental care, weight management, and making sure your home (inside and out) is safe and secure to help prevent accidents.
With your policy, you’ve got some great tools and benefits at your fingertips. Vet Assist calls are included, so you can talk directly to a qualified veterinary nurse 24/7 for free advice to understand what to do next. You can also manage the cost of prescribed pet medications through your Hyperdrug account with an exclusive average saving of 57%*.
When it’s time to renew, you might want to adjust your cover to better suit your budget. We offer different policy types and lower vet fee limits to give you more flexibility – so your pet can stay protected without stretching your finances. And for extra peace of mind, our plans come with interest-free monthly payments, making it easier to spread the cost of your pet’s cover throughout the year.
Pet Peace of Mind Is Priceless
We know that no one loves paying bills, but pet insurance is here to help protect you from unexpected (and often costly) financial burdens.
Whether it’s a sudden accident or a long-term illness, we’re here to help you give your pet the best possible care, so you can concentrate on getting them better while we take care of the vet bills.
*We compared the cost of purchasing the most frequently prescribed medications for treating common chronic medical disorders from 20 UK veterinary practices against purchasing from Hyperdrug with our additional 5% discount (based on claims data from Jul-Aug 2025).