GoCompare: Regional Pet Insurance Truths Revealed 

Pawth-south divide: Insuring pets in London can cost up to £200 more than in the North

• London is the UK’s most expensive place to purchase pet insurance
• North East England is the cheapest region for insuring cats, while Northern Ireland is cheapest for insuring dogs
• Uninsured pet owners are spending over £468.7m on vet bills out of their own pockets

Pet owners are being subject to a significant north-south divide when it comes to the price of insurance policies, according to a new report by GoCompare Pet Insurance.[1]

The research reveals the average pet insurance premium paid by each region of the nation. Shockingly, it found that those in the south spend the most, while northerners are paying the cheapest prices in the UK.

London is the most expensive place to insure both cats and dogs. The average premium for the capital’s cats is £260.12, while purchasing protection for a dog costs just over £500. The priciest region outside of London is the South East, where cover is an average of £214.84 for cats and £420.24 for dogs.

In contrast, the cheapest place to insure a dog is Northern Ireland. Premiums here are an average of £306.49 – almost £200 less than in London.

Similarly, the North East is the cheapest place to insure cats, with premiums averaging as little as £155.96 – £104 less than the cost of protecting paws in the capital. This highlights a notable difference between northern and southern regions when it comes to pet insurance prices.

Hannah Isitt, a pet insurance expert at GoCompare, said: “Numerous factors contribute to the quote you’re given for pet insurance. Anything from the animal’s breed to your claims history can influence the price, so there could be multiple reasons why southerners are paying more to protect their pets.

“It’s possible that those in the South own pets that are more prone to hereditary health conditions, such as pedigree breeds. Another leading consideration is the cost of vet bills in the area, meaning that these averages are simply a reflection of the varying veterinary fees across the UK.”

Although southern regions spend the most on pet insurance, getting coverage for our furry friends is still well worthwhile. According to GoCompare’s research, uninsured pet owners spent a staggering £468.7m on vet bills during the third quarter of 2021.[2]

This means that those without cover could be paying billions of pounds worth of veterinary costs out of their own pockets every year, demonstrating that insurance is very much an essential purchase.

Esme Wheeler, a pet welfare expert at the RSPCA, said: “Owning a pet can be very expensive and sometimes you can be hit with a large, unexpected bill if your pet is injured or becomes ill.

“We would encourage all owners to take out insurance for their pet to help them financially should the worst happen, and to provide peace of mind that if your pet ever needed significant veterinary treatment you would have support from your insurers.”

More information about the research (including additional facts, figures and infographics), can be found on GoCompare’s website.