Your dog pulls away without meaning to and a cyclist falls on the walk. Or your cat scratches the neighbour's new sofa after sneaking in through the window. In that moment it doesn't matter how much you love your pet: someone can claim compensation from you, and the law already requires insurance for some breeds. I'll walk you through what's actually compulsory, what this insurance covers and why it's not the same as vet insurance.
What the law requires for your dog (and what it doesn't)
Liability cover is compulsory for potentially dangerous dog breeds, and increasingly recommended — and required — for the rest. If your dog belongs to one of these breeds or meets the criteria set out in the regulations, taking out liability cover isn't optional: it's a legal requirement, just like the corresponding licence.
Outside those cases, exactly what's compulsory can depend on where you live and how the regulations evolve, so if you're not sure whether your case is among those required to have it, I'll confirm case by case before you take anything out.
In one line: liability cover is compulsory by law for potentially dangerous dog breeds, and increasingly common to require it for the rest.
I cover the rest of the cover on the Pet Insurance page .
If your dog bites someone or breaks something
Liability cover takes care of the compensation, including legal defence and bail bonds. It doesn't matter whether the damage is to a person, another animal or an object: if your pet causes it, you're liable with your own assets, and this is the cover that steps in to resolve it.
And it doesn't depend on who was holding the lead at the time: liability cover deals with damage caused by your pet regardless of who was walking it, except for cases excluded under the policy wording. It also applies if it's your cat that causes damage to a neighbour — by sneaking onto their terrace or scratching something of theirs — with the same legal defence and bail bonds included. And if the damage is caused by someone in your household, not your pet, home insurance takes over →
- ✓Person, another animal or an object: liability cover deals with all three.
- ✓It doesn't matter who was walking your pet at the time: the cover still applies.
- ✓Legal defence and bail bonds included if you're claimed against or reported.
The costliest mix-up: this isn't vet insurance
It's the question I get asked most, and clearing it up early avoids the most upset: this insurance doesn't cover the vet for illness. It covers accidents, theft and loss, plus liability cover — common illness, whether infectious, parasitic or of any other kind, isn't included.
- ✓Common illnesses: infectious, parasitic or any other kind.
- ✓Poisoning and intoxication.
- ✓Age-related conditions.
- ✓Cosmetic surgery (such as ear or tail shaping).
What your pet insurance really covers
Besides liability cover, here's what's included:
- ✓Accidental injury to your pet: vet costs for being hit by a vehicle, fights, falls or swallowing foreign objects.
- ✓Theft: compensation for your pet's value if it's stolen.
- ✓Loss: adverts to help find it and boarding if it turns up but can't be collected right away.
- ✓Boarding cover: if you have to be away for a covered reason, such as hospitalisation.
- ✓Phone assistance: vet guidance over the phone whenever you need it.
Designed for dogs and cats (hunting or sporting animals are excluded unless expressly agreed). I cover the details on sums insured and conditions on the Pet Insurance page .
Before you take it out: vaccination, waiting periods and age
Being up to date with vaccinations is a requirement for cover. Liability cover applies from day one; accidental injury to the animal, from 15 days after taking out the policy.
From age 10, the insured value of your pet is reduced by an indicative 20% a year, although liability cover keeps applying as normal. And if you have more than one pet, each one needs its own policy or line of cover; I'll put together whichever combination best fits your case.