Older dogs generally require more care because of their age and the chance they may develop hereditary conditions as they get into their golden years.
Senior dog insurance gives you peace of mind that your dog will be covered if they fall ill or get an unexpected illness.
• Insure any new conditions for the rest of your senior dog’s life.
• Choose from three levels, covering vet’s fees for up to £2,000, £4,000 and £10,000, reinstated annually.
Ideal for older dogs with recurring health issues, so you can ensure they get the care they need without worrying about limits.
• Select between £2,000 or £5,000 cover for each new illness or injury.
• You’ll be covered for either 12 months from the first treatment date, or up to a set limit.
Time limited is a good option for unexpected accidents or illnesses but it isn’t designed for long-term conditions.
| Lifetime £2,000 | Lifetime £4,000 | Lifetime £6,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Veterinary Fee Cover | ||
| £2,000 per year | £4,000 per year | £6,000 per year |
| Dental treatment | ||
| Illness - No. Accident - Yes | Illness - No. Accident - Yes | Illness - Yes. Accident - Yes |
| (as part of Veterinary Fee Cover) | ||
| Complementary Treatment | ||
| £1,000 | £1,500 | £1,500 |
| (as part of Veterinary Fee Cover) | ||
| Cruciate ligament treatment | ||
| £1,250 per year | £1,250 per year | £1,500 per year |
| (as part of Veterinary Fee Cover) | ||
| CT/MRI scans | ||
| £1,250 | £1,500 | £1,500 |
| (as part of Veterinary Fee Cover) | ||
| Specialist Diet | ||
| £200 | £250 | £250 |
| (as part of Veterinary Fee Cover) | ||
| Behaviour Treatment | ||
| £1,000 | £1,000 | £1,000 |
| (Covered as a result of an accident only and as part of a Veterinary Fee Cover) | ||
| Fixed Excess | ||
| £100 - £250 as chosen by you | £100 - £250 as chosen by you | £100 - £250 as chosen by you |
| (Certain breeds have a specified minimum excess of £200) | ||
| Co-Insurance Excess | ||
| 10% for pets aged 5 years and over | 10% for pets aged 5 years and over | 10% for pets aged 5 years and over |
| (Payable in addition to the Fixed Excess) | ||
| Death from illness | ||
| £1,500 | £2,000 | £2,000 |
| (Only available for pets less than 7 years of age) | ||
| Death From Accident | ||
| £1,500 | £2,000 | £2,000 |
| (No age limit) | ||
| Cremation/Burial | ||
| £100 | £100 | £100 |
| (only available for pets less than 7 years of age) | ||
| Third Party Liability | ||
| £1,000,000 | £1,000,000 | £1,000,000 |
| (for dogs only - £250 excess per claim) | ||
| Advertising and Reward | ||
| £750 | £1,000 | £1,000 |
| Loss of Pet - Theft or Straying | ||
| £1,500 | £2,000 | £2,000 |
| Emergency Boarding Kennel/Cattery Fees | ||
| £1,500 | £2,000 | £2,000 |
| Emergency Holiday Cancellation | ||
| £1,500 | £2,000 | £2,000 |
| Overseas Travel Cover | ||
| 364 days | 364 days | 364 days |
| Unexpected Quarantine Expenses | ||
| £1,000 | £1,500 | £1,500 |
| Lifetime £8,000 | Lifetime £10,000 |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Fee Cover | |
| £8,000 per year | £10,000 per year |
| Dental treatment | |
| Illness - Yes. Accident - Yes | Illness - Yes. Accident - Yes |
| (as part of Veterinary Fee Cover) | |
| Complementary Treatment | |
| £1,500 | £1,500 |
| (as part of Veterinary Fee Cover) | |
| Cruciate ligament treatment | |
| £1,500 per year | £1,500 per year |
| (as part of Veterinary Fee Cover) | |
| CT/MRI scans | |
| £1,500 | £1,500 |
| (as part of Veterinary Fee Cover) | |
| Specialist Diet | |
| £250 | £250 |
| (as part of Veterinary Fee Cover) | |
| Behaviour Treatment | |
| £1,500 | £1,500 |
| (Covered as a result of an accident only and as part of a Veterinary Fee Cover) | |
| Fixed Excess | |
| £100 - £250 as chosen by you, or advised | £100 - £250 as chosen by you, or advised |
| (Certain breeds have a specified minimum excess of £200) | |
| Co-Insurance Excess | |
| 10% for pets aged 5 years and over | 10% for pets aged 5 years and over |
| (Payable in addition to the Fixed Excess) | |
| Death from illness | |
| £2,000 | £2,000 |
| (Only available for pets less than 7 years of age) | |
| Death From Accident | |
| £2,000 | £2,000 |
| (No age limit) | |
| Cremation/Burial | |
| £100 | £100 |
| (only available for pets less than 7 years of age) | |
| Third Party Liability | |
| £1,000,000 | £1,000,000 |
| (for dogs only - £250 excess per claim) | |
| Advertising and Reward | |
| £1,000 | £1,000 |
| Loss of Pet - Theft or Straying | |
| £2,000 | £2,000 |
| Emergency Boarding Kennel/Cattery Fees | |
| £2,000 | £2,000 |
| Emergency Holiday Cancellation | |
| £2,000 | £2,000 |
| Overseas Travel Cover | |
| 364 days | 364 days |
| Unexpected Quarantine Expenses | |
| £1,500 | £1,500 |
Check out our comparison page if you’re unsure which cover is the best one for your needs.
The cost of pet insurance for old dogs depends on a range of factors, including:
Certain dog breeds are more prone to health conditions, which can make them more expensive to insure. This includes conditions such as breathing problems with brachycephalic (flat-faced) dog breeds like pugs and French bulldogs or hip and elbow dysplasia with Rottweilers.
The older your dog, the more likely your pet insurance premiums will be higher. As dogs age, there’s a higher probability they’ll suffer from age-related illnesses and injuries that may need treatment.
Pets with pre-existing conditions or a history of health issues may be seen as a higher risk to insure, which will then push up the cost of your pet insurance.
Things like a higher cost of living and vets charging more in certain areas of the UK can have a knock-on impact on your premiums.
Choosing a higher level of cover will likely increase how much you pay for dog insurance. Picking a Lifetime policy will usually be more expensive than Time Limited, but it may be the right choice for your older dog.
Pet insurance for older dogs will usually cover the following:
Senior dog insurance should cover the cost of treatment required for any new injury or illness. This is especially important as your dog ages and may be more susceptible to developing certain illnesses.
Having the right dog insurance in place means you’ll have peace of mind that your vet fees will be covered should your dog fall ill.
If your dog develops health conditions as they age, the medical cost vet fees and treatment should be covered by your senior dog insurance.
Depending on the level of cover you choose, you may be covered for complementary therapies – like acupuncture or hydrotherapy – that are recommended by your vet.
Some dog insurance policies may cover the cost of putting your dog to sleep, if the worst happens.
If for any reason you’ve had to stay overnight at hospital in an emergency, the costs of putting your dog into a kennel will be covered by your insurance.
Cover for any claims for loss or damage to third parties (or their property) caused by your dog.
Unfortunately, routine dental check-ups and treatments aren’t covered by dog insurance. But you can claim for dental issues caused by an accident or injury.
The following usually won’t be included in your senior dog insurance:
In most cases, insurers won’t cover pre-existing medical conditions. This is an illness or injury that your pet had or showed signs of having before the start of the policy.
An illness could also be considered pre-existing if it results from or is closely related to a condition your pet already has.
Routine treatments or preventative care aren’t included, such as:
When you look for insurance for your older dog, think about:
If you wait until they already have the health problem, this will likely be viewed as a pre-existing condition and will fall outside the scope of your insurance.
With Lifetime dog insurance, you’ll be covered for any medical conditions your dog develops for the rest of their life. Time Limited on the other hand, means you can only claim for 12 months.
The policy limit is the amount you can claim each year for the same condition.
Vet fees for certain treatments and conditions can run into the thousands of pounds, so it’s important to choose the right policy limit for your dog.
The excess fee is how much you pay first when you make a claim on your insurance. Generally, the higher the excess, the lower the premium.
No, most standard pet insurance policies for older dogs won’t include cover for pre-existing conditions. A pre-existing condition is defined as an illness or injury that your pet had or showed signs of having before the start of the policy.
As your dog gets older, they are more likely to get ill or suffer from health problems, which means insurers will view them as more of a risk when it comes to insurance. This will naturally push up the cost of insurance. However, age isn’t the only factor that impacts the cost of dog insurance, with issues like breed, location, medical history and cover level all playing a part too.
If you already have pet insurance, you can switch to a new provider if you find senior dog insurance that’s a better fit for you and your dog. If you decide to take out a new policy, you’ll need to cancel your existing one with your current provider.
Some pet insurance providers have an upper age limit and won’t insure dogs over a certain age. This isn’t the case at Asda Money, as we have no upper age limit on our senior dog insurance.
