Does Pet Insurance Cover X-Rays in the UK?
Diagnostic imaging is one of the most common costs pet owners face, and X-rays are often the first test a vet recommends when investigating injuries, limping, stomach problems, or internal issues. In 2025, most UK pet insurance policies do cover X-rays, but the extent of this cover depends on your policy type, annual limits, excess structure, and referral rules.
X-rays are used to diagnose broken bones, foreign bodies, spinal issues, heart enlargement, and many other conditions. Costs vary widely, especially if sedation or anaesthetic is required. Understanding how your insurer handles these factors will help you avoid unexpected bills and ensure your claim is approved without delay.
When Pet Insurance Covers X-Rays
Pet insurance normally covers X-rays when they are needed to treat or diagnose a new illness or injury that occurs after your policy’s waiting period. Cover applies under the vet fees section of your policy and usually includes:
- X-rays carried out at your primary vet
- Sedation or light anaesthetic if required for the imaging
- Follow-up imaging related to the same condition
- X-rays taken at a referral hospital if your vet recommends specialist care
Lifetime policies generally offer the most consistent support for diagnostic tests across multiple policy years. Time-limited and maximum benefit policies still cover X-rays, but only within the defined financial or time limits.
If you want a broader understanding of how policy types affect diagnostics and treatment, our guide to Best Value Pet Insurance UK 2025 explains how different policies handle ongoing medical needs.
Why X-Rays Can Be Expensive
The cost of X-rays can range from £100 to more than £400 depending on your vet, region, and whether sedation is necessary. Additional costs may be added for:
- Multiple views of the affected area
- Emergency out-of-hours care
- Blood tests before sedation
- Follow-up imaging
- Specialist interpretation at a referral centre
Insurers cover these costs when the imaging is clinically justified. However, if the vet recommends imaging purely as a precaution without symptoms, some insurers may ask for additional evidence. This is especially likely for routine check-ups in senior pets.
X-Rays at Referral Hospitals
If your vet believes your pet needs more advanced imaging or specialist interpretation, they may refer you to a referral hospital. Most insurers cover X-rays at these facilities, provided you follow the correct referral process.
Typical referral conditions include:
- Obtaining written approval from your insurer before the appointment
- Providing your pet’s full medical history
- Confirming that the facility is recognised by your insurer
If you bypass your vet and book directly with a specialist, some insurers may refuse to pay the claim. To avoid this, always phone your insurer when your vet recommends referral imaging.
For a full breakdown of how claims move through the system, see our guide to the Pet Insurance Claim Process UK 2025.
When X-Rays Are Not Covered
Although insurers generally cover medically necessary X-rays, some situations fall outside standard cover. These may include:
- X-rays related to pre-existing conditions
- Imaging carried out during the waiting period
- X-rays for conditions excluded by the policy (for example, dental disease on basic plans)
- Routine or elective imaging without symptoms
- X-rays required for travel paperwork or certification
- Injuries caused by excluded activities such as working dog tasks unless covered by specific working dog insurance
Time-limited and maximum benefit policies also stop covering ongoing conditions once the limit is reached. If your pet requires repeat imaging for a chronic condition such as hip dysplasia, lifetime cover is the most reliable long-term option.
How Excess and Co-Payments Affect X-Ray Claims
X-ray claims are subject to your policy excess and may also be affected by age-related percentage co-payments.
You may have:
A fixed excess
You pay a single fee per condition per policy year.
A fixed excess plus a percentage excess
More common for older pets, meaning you pay a percentage of the total treatment cost including X-rays.
If your pet needs multiple X-rays over the course of a year for the same condition, most lifetime policies apply the excess only once per year. Time-limited and maximum benefit policies may apply the excess once per condition.
X-Rays for Dental Problems
Dental cover is handled inconsistently across insurers. Some lifetime policies include dental accidents and illness, while others cover only trauma. When dental conditions are covered, any required X-rays are usually included.
If dental problems are excluded from your policy, associated imaging is also excluded. Owners should check their documents carefully, especially for senior pets where dental disease is common.
You can find further detail in our article on Pet Insurance Dental Cover UK 2025 – What’s Included.
Alternative Imaging: CT Scans and MRI
While X-rays are widely covered, CT scans and MRI scans are significantly more expensive and often require specialist referral. Most insurers cover these advanced diagnostics under the same vet fee limits, but some lower-cost policies exclude them unless an add-on is purchased.
If your pet develops a neurological or orthopaedic condition, advanced imaging may be necessary. Owners of breeds prone to spinal or joint issues may benefit from checking their policy wording before symptoms appear.
Veterinary Perspective
The PDSA explains that X-rays are a key diagnostic tool for a wide range of illnesses and injuries. They emphasise that early imaging often leads to faster diagnosis and treatment, reducing complications and long-term costs. This makes insurance cover especially important for sudden injuries or unexplained symptoms.
Related Reading
- Pet Insurance Claim Denials UK 2025 – Common Reasons and How to Avoid Them
- Pet Insurance Excess Explained UK 2025 – How It Works and What to Choose
FAQs – Does Pet Insurance Cover X-Rays UK 2025
Are X-rays covered under all pet insurance policies?
Most policies cover X-rays for eligible conditions, but cheaper accident-only plans may exclude imaging for illnesses.
Do insurers pay for sedation during X-rays?
Yes, if sedation is required for imaging, it is normally included. Some policies reduce payout if sedation is optional rather than essential.
Do I need pre-authorisation for X-rays?
Not usually for basic imaging at your local vet, but referral hospital X-rays often require insurer approval.
Are X-rays for dental issues covered?
Only if your policy includes dental illness or dental accident cover. Basic plans may exclude both.
Conclusion
Most UK pet insurance policies cover X-rays in 2025, but the level of support depends on the type of policy, annual limits, and referral requirements. For chronic conditions or repeated imaging, lifetime cover offers the most reliable protection. Owners should check their excess, waiting periods, and dental terms carefully to understand what is and is not included.
Clear communication with your vet and your insurer helps ensure X-ray claims are approved quickly. With the right policy in place, diagnostic imaging becomes an affordable and essential tool for safeguarding your pet’s health.
