When comparing pet insurance policies, you’ll often see optional extras and “add-ons” listed in the small print. These upgrades extend your pet’s cover beyond the basic accident-and-illness plan, helping you tailor protection to your animal’s needs. While add-ons increase your monthly premium, they can save you hundreds in unexpected vet or travel costs later.
In this guide, we explain the most common pet insurance add-ons available in the UK in 2025, what each covers, and when they’re worth including.
What Are Pet Insurance Add-Ons?
Pet insurance add-ons are optional extras you can add to a standard policy. They provide additional benefits or higher claim limits beyond the core cover for accidents and illnesses. Add-ons can cover anything from dental treatment and overseas vet bills to routine check-ups or alternative therapies.
The best approach is to start with a solid base policy — for example, lifetime or time-limited cover — and then add only the extras that make sense for your pet’s lifestyle and health risks.
1. Dental Cover
Dental disease is one of the most common health issues in cats and dogs, yet many policies only cover dental injuries, not disease. A dental add-on extends protection to include gum disease, tooth decay, and extractions due to illness.
For example, Petplan includes dental disease cover as standard in some lifetime policies, but other insurers require it as a paid add-on. Without it, you could face bills of £300–£700 for dental cleaning and treatment.
Learn more in our dedicated guide: Pet Insurance Dental Cover UK 2025 – What’s Included.
2. Routine and Preventive Care
Routine care (sometimes called “wellness” or “preventive” cover) is designed for everyday veterinary costs that standard insurance doesn’t pay for. It can include:
- Annual health checks and vaccinations
- Flea, tick, and worm treatments
- Microchipping
- Nail clipping or grooming
- Neutering or spaying allowances
These add-ons are particularly popular with owners of younger pets or those who want predictable annual costs. They don’t usually cover emergencies but can reduce your out-of-pocket spending on vet visits.
For more detail, see Routine Care Pet Insurance UK 2025 – Vet Visits Cover.
3. Travel Cover
If you travel with your pet, especially to Europe, a travel add-on (sometimes called “overseas cover” or “holiday cancellation cover”) is worth considering. It can include:
- Vet treatment abroad (within listed countries under the Pet Travel Scheme)
- Quarantine and lost passport costs
- Repatriation or emergency return
- Trip cancellation if your pet becomes ill before travel
Many UK insurers partner with the GOV.UK Pet Travel Scheme to define where cover applies. Check limits carefully — most policies restrict vet fees abroad to a few thousand pounds per trip.
4. Death and Theft Cover
While difficult to think about, death-from-illness and loss cover can be useful for pedigree pets or working animals. It reimburses the market or purchase value of your pet if they die from illness or are stolen. Some policies also include advertising and reward costs if your pet goes missing.
Be aware that value limits often decrease as your pet ages, and claims may require proof of purchase or pedigree registration.
5. Third-Party Liability
Third-party liability is essential for dog owners in the UK. It covers compensation and legal costs if your dog injures someone or damages property. Some insurers include this automatically, while others offer it as an optional add-on. Cover limits are usually between £1 million and £3 million.
Cat owners generally don’t need this cover, as cats are considered “free-roaming animals” under UK law.
6. Alternative and Complementary Therapies
Alternative treatment add-ons cover non-traditional therapies such as hydrotherapy, acupuncture, physiotherapy, and chiropractic treatment. These are increasingly used for pets recovering from surgery or dealing with chronic conditions like arthritis.
Providers such as ManyPets and Agria often include limited physiotherapy within their higher-tier policies, while others sell it as a bolt-on option.
7. Breeding and Pregnancy Cover
Standard pet insurance excludes pregnancy and breeding-related complications. If you plan to breed your pet, a breeding add-on may cover vet fees for whelping, caesarean sections, or complications for both mother and offspring. These policies are usually specialist and can be costly but worthwhile for breeders.
Which Add-Ons Are Worth It?
Not all extras provide good value. Generally, the following rules apply:
| Add-On | Best For | Usually Worth It? |
|---|---|---|
| Dental cover | All pets over 2 years old | Yes |
| Routine care | Puppies/kittens, owners who want fixed annual costs | Sometimes |
| Travel cover | Owners travelling abroad | Yes |
| Death & theft | Pedigree or working animals | Sometimes |
| Third-party liability | All dogs | Yes |
| Alternative therapies | Older or injured pets | Yes |
| Breeding cover | Breeders only | Specialist only |
Adding everything can double your premium, so choose based on realistic risk rather than “just in case”.
Related Reading
- Does Pet Insurance Cover Dental UK 2025?
- Routine Care Pet Insurance UK 2025 – Vet Visits Cover
- Is Pet Insurance Worth It UK 2025? Costs & Benefits
- Best Pet Insurance UK 2025 – Compare Top Providers
FAQs – Pet Insurance Add-Ons UK 2025
Do I need dental cover for my pet?
Yes, unless your insurer includes it automatically. Dental treatment for gum disease or tooth extraction can be expensive and isn’t covered under basic policies.
Is routine care insurance worth it?
It depends. If you already budget for vaccinations and parasite treatment, it may not save money. But it can help spread costs evenly.
Can I buy add-ons later?
Yes. Most insurers let you add or remove extras at renewal, but you can’t claim for conditions that appeared before adding them.
Does travel cover include non-EU countries?
Usually not. Travel cover is tied to the Pet Travel Scheme list, though some policies extend to other destinations if pre-approved.
Do I need third-party liability if I own a cat?
No. This cover only applies to dogs under UK law.
Conclusion
Pet insurance add-ons can transform a standard policy into a comprehensive protection plan. The key is knowing which extras genuinely add value. For most owners, dental and third-party liability cover are essential; travel and alternative therapy add-ons are worthwhile depending on lifestyle and breed.
Compare options carefully, read the fine print, and only pay for extras that match your pet’s needs. The right combination of add-ons ensures peace of mind and keeps you covered for life’s unexpected moments.
