How Pet Insurance Renewal Works in the UK
Pet insurance renewal can be confusing, especially when you notice your premium increase even though you haven’t made a claim. In 2025, UK insurers continue to adjust renewal terms based on factors like your pet’s age, breed, and medical history. Understanding how renewal works can help you keep costs under control and avoid unexpected exclusions.
Annual Review and Automatic Renewal
Most pet insurance policies run for 12 months and renew automatically unless you cancel. A few weeks before renewal, your insurer must send a summary of the new premium, cover level, and any changes to terms.
If you’ve claimed during the year, that condition will usually become pre-existing for other providers, making it harder to switch. This is why reviewing your renewal notice carefully is so important.
You can learn more about how conditions affect switching in our guide on Pet Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions UK 2025.
Why Premiums Increase at Renewal
Even if you haven’t claimed, your renewal quote may go up. The main reasons include:
- Your pet getting older (higher risk of illness).
- Rising vet costs and inflation.
- Changes in insurer pricing models.
- New taxes or regulatory adjustments.
Some owners see a significant jump after their first year because introductory discounts expire. Comparing renewal quotes against new-customer offers is always worthwhile.
Reviewing Cover and Excess Each Year
Renewal is the best time to review your policy’s cover limits, excess, and add-ons. You might find your pet no longer needs certain extras like travel or breeding cover, while other areas such as dental or lifetime protection may need upgrading.
To understand how excess and limits affect future claims, read Pet Insurance Excess Explained UK 2025.
Switching Providers at Renewal
You’re free to change insurers at renewal, but be cautious. Any existing or recurring condition will likely be excluded by the new provider. This can make switching less attractive for older pets or those with long-term issues.
If you’re comparing policies, make sure you do so before your current one expires to avoid a gap in cover. For help assessing policy wording, see What Does Pet Insurance Not Cover in the UK 2025.
For clear guidance on what to consider when renewing or switching, the MoneyHelper website offers practical advice on reviewing your policy and avoiding unexpected exclusions.
Negotiating or Reducing Renewal Costs
Many insurers will review the renewal price if you call and discuss your options. You can ask about:
- Increasing your voluntary excess.
- Reducing optional extras.
- Applying multi-pet or loyalty discounts.
- Switching to an annual payment rather than monthly.
Our guide on Affordable Pet Insurance UK 2025 offers more ways to keep premiums manageable without sacrificing cover.
FAQs – Pet Insurance Renewal UK 2025
Do pet insurance policies renew automatically?
Yes. Most renew automatically every 12 months unless you cancel before the renewal date.
Why did my premium increase if I didn’t claim?
Insurers factor in your pet’s age, breed risk, and rising vet costs each year, even without a claim.
Can I switch insurers when renewing?
You can, but any existing or recurring condition will be treated as pre-existing by the new provider.
Do I need to update my vet records at renewal?
It’s not mandatory, but sharing up-to-date health information can help avoid disputes during future claims.
Will my cover change automatically?
Some insurers update policy wording annually. Always read your renewal notice carefully to confirm nothing important has been removed.
Conclusion
Renewing your pet insurance is more than just paying another year’s premium. It’s a chance to reassess your cover, confirm the excess and benefits still suit your pet, and ensure you’re not overpaying.
If your renewal quote rises sharply, contact your insurer to negotiate or compare new policies before cancelling. By understanding how renewals work and how pre-existing conditions affect switching, you can make informed choices and keep your pet properly protected in 2025.
