We grow so close to our dogs, to the point we consider them family. As they grow older, it becomes even more important to get the best care for them. It's important 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. There may also be extra things you need to consider when compared to insuring a puppy.
Here, we'll explain how pet insurance changes as your dog ages. That way, 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 say senior dogs, we mean dogs that are over 9 years old.
Having the right cover in place can be more cost-effective. You won't have to pay for any treatment your pet may require, as long as they are covered by your policy.
For full details, see your policy document.
If your dog has an accident or develops health issues, you can feel reassured they’ll be well looked after. 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. 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 |
Older dogs are more likely to experience these conditions. This raises the price of 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. Flexible lifetime insurance can help you support your dog’s health as they grow older.
Your pooch will be covered for ongoing conditions (as long as they begin 14 days after your policy has begun). They are also covered for one-off mishaps that occur 48 hours after your policy is valid.
As long as you renew the policy, they’ll be covered for any new conditions they develop. For full details and exclusions, please see the policy wording.
All John Lewis Pet Insurance cover levels include 24/7 veterinary helpline by Vetfone™ and dental care*. If you're unable to care for your dog due to injury or illness, you get up to £1,500 in kennel fees. Also, you get up to £300 for prescribed food per policy year, in case your furry pal needs to go on a special diet.
Your dog will also get an annual online health check, which is available for dogs aged over 8 weeks. There’s no upper age limit so all older dogs qualify. The service is designed as an add-on to an in-person vet check-up, not a replacement.
If you unexpectedly have to go to the hospital for illness or injury, we’ll pay up to £1,500 in kennel fees. This way, you can have time to recover without having to worry about your companion.
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. This includes 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:
You have the flexibility to choose the option that’s right for you and still receive our full range of benefits.
Are pre-existing conditions covered?
John Lewis Pet Insurance does not provide cover for pre-existing health conditions. A “pre-existing health condition" means signs or symptoms of undiagnosed injuries or illnesses. It also means 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, a specialist insurer may be able to help when others can't. However, this 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 six options ranging from £2,000 to £12,000.
Insurers often require owners with older pets to make a “co-payment” to keep prices lower. This is a proportion of the vet fees after the excess is deducted.
John Lewis Pet Insurance customers with pets aged 9 and older pay a 20% co-payment. The co-payment is a percentage of the vet’s treatment costs. This is in addition to the chosen standard excess.
How can I reduce the cost of dog insurance?
You can select an excess for the treatment of an accident or illness in each policy year. The excess amounts are as follows:
£60
£80
£100
£140
£250 (or £500 for vet fee levels of £5,000 and above).
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.
Calls may be recorded and call charges may vary.
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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 they’ve had their first check and your vet has done any necessary work, we’ll cover the cost if they develop tooth decay or gum disease before the next 12-month check, or if tooth decay or gum disease are seen at their next check.
If your pet doesn’t have a check every 12 months, or if the work required is not done, we’ll 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).
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