Your dog is part of the family, and as they get older we know it becomes even more important to get the best care for them and to find an insurer that will help pay for that care.
But getting the right pet insurance for an older dog can be tricky. Some insurers don’t offer insurance for senior dogs, and there may be extra things you need to consider when compared to insuring a puppy.
We explain how pet insurance changes as your dog ages, so you can take care of them in their twilight years, and focus on making memories together.
Can I get insurance for an older dog?
Yes, you can get pet insurance for senior dogs. When we refer to senior dogs, we mean dogs that are aged over 9 years old.
Having the right cover in place can be more cost-effective, as you won't have to foot the bill for treatment for any conditions your pet may develop, as long as they are covered by your policy.
For full details, see your policy document.
You’ll also have peace of mind that your canine companion will be well looked after if they have an accident or develop health issues, as your vet fees will be covered up to your chosen limit.
What sort of health conditions might my senior dog develop?
It can be difficult to predict how much care they will need. However, these are some of the health issues that older dogs can be prone to:
gum disease cataracts deafness |
blindness dementia arthritis |
kidney disease heart disease cancer |
Unfortunately, these conditions – and the likelihood of pet owners claiming on their insurance – tend to mean higher premiums for senior dog owners.
What is included in pet insurance for senior dogs?
When looking for pet insurance for dogs over 9 years old, a lifetime policy can be a good option. Comprehensive, flexible lifetime insurance can help you stay on top of your dog’s health as they continue to grow older.
Your pooch will be covered for ongoing conditions (as long as they begin 14 days after your policy has begun), as well as one-off mishaps that occur 48 hours after your policy is valid. As long as you renew the policy, they will be covered for any new conditions they develop. For full details and exclusions, please see the policy wording.
All of our dog insurance policies include Annual Online Health Checks provided by vetfone™, a 24/7 vet helpline, and dental treatment.* It’s available for dogs of all ages over eight weeks, and you’ll be pleased to know there’s no upper age limit. You can claim as many times as needed per condition each year, up to your vet fee limit. This service is designed to be used in addition to an in-person vet check-up, not as a replacement.
If you have to go into hospital for illness or injury unexpectedly and are unable to look after your dog, we’ll pay up to £1,500 in kennel fees so you can recover without having to worry about your companion.
In addition, if your vet suggests some behavioural training, we could pay up to £300 per policy year. We could also pay up to £300 for treatment foods recommended by a vet, and up to £1,500 for complementary therapies. The cost of these benefits will be deducted from your annual vet fee cover limit.
If your beloved dog ever goes missing, we provide up to £300 to help cover the costs of finding them, like creating flyers or taking out an ad in the local paper. If the worst happens and they can’t be found, we can provide the donation or purchase price of your dog, up to £1,500.
When choosing a John Lewis Pet Insurance policy, there are six vet fee cover options:
This means you have the flexibility to choose the option that’s right for you, while still receiving our full range of benefits.
Are pre-existing conditions covered?
John Lewis pet insurance does not provide cover for pre-existing health conditions. Note that when we say “pre-existing health condition”, we mean signs or symptoms of undiagnosed injuries or illnesses, as well as diagnosed issues and any physical abnormalities.
That’s why it’s so important that if you take out lifetime insurance, you renew it each year and avoid letting it lapse. That way you’ll know your dog will continue to be covered for any health conditions they may develop.
If your dog has a pre-existing condition and you’re struggling to get them insured, you may be able to find a specialist insurer that will provide cover, but be warned that it could be expensive.
How much does pet insurance for an older dog cost?
The level of vet fee cover will also determine the cost of the policy: a lower level will be cheaper than policies with a higher amount of cover. We have options ranging from £2,000 to £12,000.
Bear in mind that to keep prices affordable, many insurers require owners with senior dogs to make a “co-payment”. This is a percentage of the vet fees after the excess is deducted.
With John Lewis Pet Insurance, owners of pets aged 9 years or over make a co-payment of 20% on the rest of the vet’s treatment costs, in addition to your chosen standard excess.
How can I reduce the cost of dog insurance?
You can select an excess of £60, £80, £100, £140 or £250 (or £500 for vet fee levels of £5,000 and above) for the treatment of an accident or illness in each policy year. This allows you to choose a level of cover that best meets your needs. By choosing to pay more when you claim, we can bring your premium down.
Not yet covered by John Lewis Money?
Get a quote for our comprehensive lifetime pet insurance by calling us on 0330 102 2490 or get a quote online.
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*For dental care up to your chosen Vet Fee limit.
If your pet has a dental check every 12 months: once it has had its first check and your vet has done any necessary work, should your pet suffer from tooth decay or gum disease before the next 12-month check, or if tooth decay or gum disease are seen at the time of the next check, we pay.
If your pet doesn’t have a check every 12 months, or if the work required is not done, we will only pay;
1) For teeth or gums if they are damaged in an accident,
2) If an underlying illness causes tooth decay or gum disease, or
3) To remove teeth as treatment of an illness which is not gum disease or tooth decay.
John Lewis Money, John Lewis Finance and John Lewis Insurance are trading names of John Lewis plc. Registered office: 1 Drummond Gate, Pimlico, London SW1V 2QQ. Registered in England and Wales (Registered company number: 233462).
John Lewis plc is an appointed representative (Financial Conduct Authority number 416011) of Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Ltd.
John Lewis Pet Insurance is underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Ltd (No: 93792). Registered in England and Wales at St. Mark's Court, Chart Way, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 1XL. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (Financial Services Register No: 202323).
Copyright © John Lewis plc 2001 - 2025
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