Understanding Pet Insurance Excess in 2025
When choosing a pet insurance policy, one of the most important details to understand is the excess. The excess is the amount you agree to pay towards each claim, and it directly affects both your premium and your out-of-pocket costs.
In 2025, most UK pet insurers still use a combination of fixed and percentage-based excesses. According to MoneyHelper, knowing how your excess works helps you choose a policy that fits your budget and avoids surprises at claim time.
What Is an Excess?
An excess is the amount the policyholder contributes toward a claim before the insurer pays the rest. It applies to most types of claims including accidents, illnesses, or ongoing treatment.
For example, if your vet bill totals £600 and your policy excess is £90, you pay £90 and your insurer reimburses the remaining £510, subject to policy limits and co-payments.
The excess amount is agreed when you take out your policy and can often be adjusted. A higher excess usually means a lower monthly premium, while a lower excess gives more cover but increases your premium.
Types of Excess in Pet Insurance
There are two main types of excess used in the UK:
1. Fixed Excess
A fixed excess is a set amount that applies each time you make a claim.
Example: £90 per new condition or per policy year, depending on the insurer.
Fixed excess is simple and predictable. It suits younger pets with fewer health problems or owners who prefer to know exactly what they will pay.
2. Percentage or Co-Payment Excess
A percentage excess (sometimes called a co-payment) is a percentage of the remaining claim amount after the fixed excess has been deducted.
Example: if you have a £90 fixed excess and a 10 percent co-payment on an £800 vet bill, you pay £90 + £71 (10 percent of £710). The insurer pays £639.
Percentage excesses are most common on older pets, usually from age eight and above, as insurers share more of the treatment cost with the owner.
When Excess Applies
Different insurers apply excess in different ways. Always check whether it is per condition or per year:
- Per Condition: You pay one excess per new condition, no matter how many times you claim for it.
- Per Policy Year: You pay an excess each policy year that you claim for that condition.
For long-term conditions like diabetes or arthritis, a per-year excess can add up. A per-condition excess can be cheaper in the long run for chronic illnesses.
How Excess Affects Your Premium
Choosing a higher excess reduces your premium because you agree to pay more of each claim yourself. A lower excess increases your premium but reduces your share of the costs.
| Excess Type | Example | Effect on Premium |
|---|---|---|
| £70 fixed | Lower personal cost per claim | Higher premium |
| £150 fixed | Higher personal cost | Lower premium |
| £100 fixed + 10% co-pay | Shared cost for older pets | Moderate premium |
For many owners, the best balance is a mid-range excess of around £90 to £120. This keeps premiums reasonable while avoiding large one-off payments at claim time.
Typical Excess Amounts by Provider
| Provider | Standard Excess | Co-Payment (for older pets) |
|---|---|---|
| Petplan | £85 | 20% from age 10 |
| ManyPets | £99 | Optional 10% |
| Agria | £95 | 10% for older pets |
| Animal Friends | £99 | 20% for older pets |
| NFU Mutual | £100 | Case-by-case basis |
Excess levels vary depending on pet type, breed, and location. Cats often have slightly lower excesses than dogs because their average vet bills are lower.
How to Choose the Right Excess
To decide what excess is right for you, consider the following:
- Your budget for emergencies: Can you comfortably pay £100 or more upfront?
- Your pet’s age: Older pets may have mandatory co-payments regardless of the chosen excess.
- How often you expect to claim: Active or accident-prone pets may benefit from a lower excess even with higher premiums.
- Premium stability: A high excess can keep premiums stable over time.
If you are unsure, ask your insurer for two or three quote examples with different excess amounts. Comparing the premium difference will show how much you actually save.
Co-Payments Explained
A co-payment is a percentage of the claim amount you pay in addition to your fixed excess. It is not optional once your pet reaches the insurer’s age threshold. Co-payments protect insurers against large ongoing claims for senior pets, but they can significantly increase the total you pay.
Example:
- Vet bill: £1,000
- Fixed excess: £100
- Co-payment: 20% of remaining £900 = £180
- Total you pay: £280
- Insurer pays: £720
When reviewing policies, check whether the co-payment applies from a specific age or from the policy start date.
How Excess Works With Different Policy Types
- Accident Only: You pay the excess each time you claim for a new injury.
- Time Limited: You pay the excess for each new condition within the 12-month period.
- Maximum Benefit: You pay the excess each time you claim for that condition until the financial limit is reached.
- Lifetime: You pay the excess once per policy year for each ongoing condition.
Lifetime policies often have the clearest structure, but they can be slightly more expensive.
Tips for Managing Excess Costs
- Review your excess level at renewal to keep premiums balanced.
- Save a small emergency fund for your pet’s potential excess payments.
- Ask your vet about direct claims if your insurer allows them.
- Consider multi-pet policies if you own several animals, as they sometimes offer shared excess options.
- Always read the policy schedule to check if the excess changes as your pet ages.
Related Reading
- Pet Insurance Claim Process UK 2025 – How Claims Work and What to Expect
- Is Pet Insurance Worth It UK 2025? Costs and Benefits
- Lifetime Pet Insurance UK 2025 – Long-Term Protection
- Pet Insurance Add-Ons UK 2025 – Dental, Travel and Routine Care Explained
FAQs – Pet Insurance Excess Explained UK 2025
What is an excess in pet insurance?
It is the amount you pay toward each claim before the insurer contributes. It helps reduce premiums by sharing part of the cost.
How does a co-payment work?
A co-payment is a percentage of the vet bill you pay after the fixed excess. It usually applies to older pets.
Can I change my excess amount?
Yes. Most insurers allow you to adjust it at renewal to balance premium cost and risk.
Do I pay the excess per condition or per year?
It depends on the insurer. Check whether your excess applies once per condition or once per policy year.
Is a higher excess better?
It depends on your financial comfort level. Higher excess lowers premiums but increases your cost per claim.
Conclusion
The excess is a key part of every pet insurance policy, influencing both what you pay upfront and your monthly premium. Understanding the difference between fixed and percentage excess helps you choose a plan that matches your pet’s needs and your budget. Before buying or renewing cover, review how your insurer applies the excess and co-payment so you know exactly what to expect when making a claim.
