| Feature |
Allianz |
Blue Insurance |
Agria Petinsure |
| Monthly Premium |
Varies; 12% online discount |
From €8.33 (Essential) |
From €24.59 (with discount) |
| Veterinary Fees Cover |
Up to €4,000/year |
Up to €4,000/year |
Up to €5,000/year |
| Third-Party Liability |
Up to €250,000 |
Up to €250,000 |
Not specified |
| Death from Illness/Injury |
Up to €1,500 |
Up to €1,000 |
Up to €2,000 |
| Theft or Straying |
Up to €1,500 |
Up to €1,000 |
Up to €2,000 |
| Holiday Cancellation Cover |
Up to €1,000 |
Up to €1,000 |
Up to €2,000 |
| Boarding Fees Cover |
Up to €1,000 |
Up to €1,000 |
Up to €2,000 |
| Policy Type |
Annual policy |
Essential, Premier, Plus |
Lifetime cover |
| Extras |
Multi-policy discounts |
24/7 vet helpline, multi-pet discounts |
Supports animal charities |
| Learn More |
Allianz |
Blue Insurance |
Agria |
Money-Saving Tips
Multiple Pet Discounts: Most insurance companies offer discounts when you insure multiple pets with them. This can save you 5-15% on your premiums.
Bundle & Save: Some insurers also provide additional discounts if you have home or car insurance with them. It's worth asking about multi-policy discounts when getting quotes.
Important - Premiums can vary based on factors like the dog's age, breed, and health history. We recommend to obtain quotes directly from each provider to get accurate pricing tailored to your dog's profile. You'll be able to compare their offers and decide what insurance suits your needs and budget best.
Age-Related Premium Increases: Pet insurance premiums typically increase as your dog ages. What starts as an affordable €20/month policy for a young dog could become €50-80/month or more for a senior dog. Always ask insurers for examples of how premiums will change over your dog's lifetime before committing to a policy.
What to Look Out for in Pet Insurance Policies
Essential Reading
Always read and understand each policy in full before purchasing. Don't just compare prices - the cheapest policy might not provide the coverage you need when you need it most. Take time to understand the terms, conditions, and exclusions.
What it means: The excess is the amount you pay towards each claim before your insurance kicks in.
- Fixed excess: Same amount for every claim (e.g., €75 per claim)
- Percentage excess: A percentage of the claim amount (e.g., 10% of each claim)
- Age-related excess: Increases as your dog gets older
Consider: Lower premiums often mean higher excess amounts. Choose an excess level you can comfortably afford to pay.
What it means: The waiting period after you purchase the policy before you can make claims.
- Accident cover: Usually 48 hours to 7 days
- Illness cover: Typically 14-30 days
- Some conditions: May have longer waiting periods (e.g., cruciate ligament issues)
Important: Claims during the cooling off period won't be covered. Don't wait until your dog is sick to buy insurance!
What it means: The maximum amount the insurer will pay out for claims.
- Annual limit: Maximum paid per year (e.g., €4,000 per year)
- Per condition limit: Maximum for each illness/injury
- Lifetime limit: Maximum over your dog's entire life
- Per claim limit: Maximum for individual claims
Warning: Some policies have low lifetime limits that might not cover chronic conditions requiring ongoing treatment.
What to check: What's NOT covered by your policy.
- Pre-existing conditions: Usually excluded completely
- Breed-specific conditions: May be excluded or have waiting periods
- Routine care: Vaccinations, worming, dental cleaning often excluded
- Age limits: Coverage may change or end at certain ages
- Bilateral conditions: If one cruciate ligament is injured, the other may be excluded
Policy Reading Checklist
Before purchasing any pet insurance policy, make sure you understand these key elements:
Coverage Details:
- What veterinary treatments are covered?
- Are consultations, diagnostics, and medications included?
- Does it cover specialist referrals?
- Are alternative treatments (physiotherapy, acupuncture) covered?
- What about emergency and out-of-hours care?
Financial Terms:
- What are the excess amounts for different types of claims?
- How are claims calculated and paid?
- Are there co-payment percentages?
- What happens to premiums as your dog ages?
- Are there discounts for multiple pets or annual payments?
Policy Conditions:
- How long are the cooling off periods?
- What constitutes a pre-existing condition?
- Are there breed-specific exclusions?
- What happens if you miss a payment?
- Can the insurer cancel your policy?
Claims Process:
- How do you submit a claim?
- What documentation is required?
- How long does claim processing take?
- Do you pay the vet directly or get reimbursed?
- What's the appeals process for declined claims?
Alternatives to Pet Insurance
Pet insurance isn't the only way to prepare for your dog's healthcare costs. Here are some alternatives to consider:
How it works: Set aside a fixed amount each month into a dedicated savings account for your pet's healthcare.
- Use a savings vault (like Revolut Vaults) or separate bank account
- Contribute what you would pay in insurance premiums (€20-50/month)
- Build up an emergency fund over time
- Money remains yours if unused
Pros: No exclusions, no premium increases, money stays yours
Cons: May not have enough saved for early emergencies
How it works: Pay a monthly fee directly to your vet practice for routine care coverage.
- Covers annual vaccines and health checks
- Often includes flea/worm treatments
- May offer discounts on other services
- Spreads routine care costs throughout the year
Important: Health plans do NOT cover illness or injury treatments - you'll still need to pay for any medical conditions
Comparing Options
| Factor |
Pet Insurance |
Self-Insurance Savings |
Vet Health Plans |
| Major emergencies |
✓ Covered (up to limits) |
Depends on savings |
✗ Not covered |
| Routine care |
✗ Usually excluded |
✓ Can use for anything |
✓ Included |
| Pre-existing conditions |
✗ Excluded |
✓ No restrictions |
N/A (emergencies not covered) |
| Cost over time |
Increases with age |
You control the amount |
Usually fixed price |
Combination approach: Many dog owners combine options - for example, having a vet health plan for routine care while self-insuring for emergencies, or having basic insurance while saving extra for costs not covered by the policy.
Before You Buy
Contact the insurance company directly to ask questions about anything you don't understand. Key questions to ask:
- Can you provide examples of what would and wouldn't be covered?
- How do you handle claims for ongoing conditions?
- What happens if my dog develops a chronic condition?
- Are there any breed-specific exclusions for my dog?
- How will my premiums change over time?
Remember: The cheapest policy isn't necessarily the best value. The right policy is one that provides adequate coverage for your dog's needs at a price you can afford.
