Pet Insurance Barometer United Kingdom 2025: Key Stats & Trends
Britain is famed for its affection for animals—with over half of households now sharing life with a pet, and a national population of some 38 million companion animals as of 2025. Despite this deep cultural bond, and a mature, historic insurance sector, the level of pet health insurance coverage remains under 30%—starkly lower than Sweden’s (91%), and still leaving many owners at risk of steep and rising veterinary costs.
The 2025 HelloSafe Pet Insurance Barometer provides a truly comparative, data-driven analysis of pet insurance worldwide, shedding light on gaps in protection, the rapid rise of digital innovation, and the defining features of the UK market—revealing tensions, progress, and new opportunities on both a local and global scale.
The Global Ranking of Pet Insurance in 2025: How Does the UK Score?
While pet insurance is advancing globally, major disparities persist between highly mature, competitive markets and countries where most pet healthcare remains out-of-pocket. The UK ranks #2 out of 22 regarding pet insurance coverage rates, reflecting a mature and well-established insurance ecosystem with broad cultural acceptance—and underscoring the UK’s leadership in both pet ownership and animal-welfare financial protection.
- 🇸🇪 Top-ranked country: Sweden – 91% of pets insured
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom: #2 globally, with 25% of pets insured (4.8M animals); pioneered early adoption and now features an active, competitive market
- 🇫🇮 Finland: High penetration at 23%
- 🇩🇪 Germany: Emerging strongly, with 20% coverage
- 🇨🇭🇮🇪 Western Europe: Mixed, between 9%–25% coverage
- 🇺🇸🇨🇦 USA and Canada: Still lag behind at <4%
- 🇪🇸🇵🇹 Southern & Eastern Europe: Generally 2%–6%, rising quickly
- 🌏 Emerging markets (China, Morocco, UAE): Under 2% coverage, but high growth rates (+15–28% per year)
- 📈 Global insurance growth averaging +15% per year
- 🦴 Insurance uptake typically higher for dogs than cats in most countries
- 💸 Market maturity and insurance penetration closely track veterinary costs and public perception of pet well-being
| Rank | Country | 🐾 Total Pets | 📊 Coverage Rate (% + insured) | 📈 Growth Rate | 🗓️ Year Introduced | 🏢 Active Insurers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇸🇪 Sweden | ~2.2M | 91% (2.0M) | +4% | 1924 | 4 (Agria dominant) |
| 2 | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | ~26.0M | 25% (4.8M) | +16% | 1976 | ~86 |
| 3 | 🇫🇮 Finland | ~1.5M | 23% (~345k) | +7% | 1995 | 3-5 |
| 4 | 🇩🇪 Germany | ~26.4M | 20% (5.3M) | +13% | 1994 | 15+ |
| 5 | 🇨🇭 Switzerland | ~3.0M | 9% (~230k) | +15% | 2005 | 6+ |
| 6 | 🇮🇪 Ireland | ~1.0M | 9% (~90k) | +12% | 2005 | ~6 |
| 7 | 🇦🇺 Australia | ~11.3M | 7% (~790k) | +18% | 2005 | 10+ |
| 8 | 🇧🇪 Belgium | ~3.2M | 6% (~190k) | +11% | 2005 | 6-8 |
| 9 | 🇮🇹 Italy | ~19.0M | 6% (~1.1M) | +15% | 2010 | 3+ |
| 10 | 🇵🇹 Portugal | ~5.1M | 5% (~255k) | +12% | 2015 | 2-3 |
| 11 | 🇭🇰 Hong Kong | ~0.5M | 5% (25k) | +18% | 2012 | ~5 |
| 12 | 🇳🇱 Netherlands | ~4.8M | 5% (240k) | +15% | 2000 | 4+ |
| 13 | 🇫🇷 France | ~22.6M | 5% (1.1M) | +8% | 2005 | 5+ |
| 14 | 🇦🇹 Austria | ~3.0M | 4% (120k) | +15% | 2005 | 4+ |
| 15 | 🇱🇺 Luxembourg | ~0.17M | 4% (~7k) | +15% | 2015 | ~6 |
| 16 | 🇺🇸 United States | ~163.5M | 3.9% (6.4M) | +13% | 1982 | ~30 |
| 17 | 🇨🇦 Canada | ~16.4M | 3.8% (619k) | +7% | 1990 | 5-8 |
| 18 | 🇨🇿 Czech Republic | ~3.3M | 2.5% (~83k) | +18% | 2005 | 3-4 |
| 19 | 🇪🇸 Spain | ~15.1M | 2% (~300k) | +16% | 2014 | 5-6 |
| 20 | 🇨🇳 China | ~220.0M | <2% (4.4M) | +28% | 2004 | 20+ |
| 21 | 🇦🇪 U.A.E. | ~0.5M | <1% (<5k) | +15% | 2015 | 3-4 |
| 22 | 🇲🇦 Morocco | ~0.5M | <1% (<1k) | +5% | 2020 | <2 |
- Coverage rates may differ significantly by species, with dogs generally more likely to be insured than cats—except in the Nordics, where feline insurance is also strong.
- Market maturity and the strength of cultural attachment to pets correlate closely with both the number of insurers operating and coverage rates.
- Emerging and developing markets exhibit rapid growth but remain far behind Western Europe and Scandinavia in penetration and insurer presence.
The global uptake of pet insurance is shaped by several underlying factors—here is a summary with GB as a key case:
- In the UK, pets benefit from a strong “family member” status, driving demand for insurance; by contrast, in Spain and China, pets are often still seen more as companions or property, corresponding to much lower coverage rates (<2-2%).
- The UK does not mandate pet insurance, nor offer public subsidies, but the existence of a long-standing private insurance sector has normalised coverage; Sweden’s even higher rate (91%) benefits from early institutional development and public information initiatives.
- High veterinary costs in GB make insurance an attractive, sometimes essential, means of affording care; in comparison, Germany’s lower vet cost inflation has contributed to a slower but now accelerating adoption (20%).
- British consumers are generally familiar with insurance products and display high trust in major brands, in contrast to countries like China, where lower trust and market fragmentation result in limited take-up.
- Market maturity is reflected in the UK’s broad choice of plans (accident-only to lifetime), competition (over 80 active insurers), and advanced digitalisation; in Morocco and the UAE, a lack of established providers and limited digital presence help explain coverage stagnating below 1%.
Focus on pet insurance in the UK
Key Insights – Pet Insurance in GB in 2025
🐾 Pet ownership: 57% of UK households own pets; most popular species: dogs and cats
🛡️ Insurance coverage rate: 25% of all pets are insured (vs 91% in Sweden, 5% in France, 4% in the US)
💰 Veterinary costs: average £2,000–£2,500/year for a dog, £1,500–£2,000/year for a cat; rising steadily over the past decade
📈 Market size: £1.6 billion GWP in 2024; CAGR of 6.5% (2020–2025), with 5–6% annual growth expected through 2030
📦 Typical insurance product: Lifetime cover with annual limits; average premium £327/year for dogs, £190/year for cats
🧩 Competitive landscape: Mature, highly concentrated market with Petplan, Agria, ManyPets, Animal Friends, Tesco Bank leading
🔮 Future trends: Rapid digitalisation (75%+ policies bought online), growth of smart tech (wearables, AI), FCA regulation on transparency and value, demand for faster, simpler claims
🐾 Pet ownership in the UK
Pet ownership is a defining feature of British society: in 2025, 57% of UK households have at least one pet, reflecting an enduring national affection. There are around 38 million pets in the country (Statista 2024), nearly evenly split between 12 million dogs and 12 million cats.
Dogs and cats remain the most cherished companions, with Labradors, French Bulldogs, and Cockapoos among top dog breeds (Kennel Club 2024).
Pets hold a unique place in UK culture—not only as family members, but as sources of social connection and emotional support.
Ownership of smaller pets (rabbits, rodents, birds, reptiles) is also significant, adding to Britain’s reputation as a nation of pet lovers.
🛡️ Pet insurance adoption & awareness
Britain ranks as one of the world’s most insured pet markets: in 2025, about 25% of all pets have insurance, placing the UK just behind Sweden (91%) but far ahead of France (5%), the US (3,9%), and Canada (3.8%).
Insurance is more common for dogs (30%) than cats (18%), with uptake particularly high for purebreds and younger pets whose owners want protection from early or breed-specific health risks.
There is strong consumer awareness: 70% of pet owners say insurance is key for peace of mind (PDSA PAW Report 2023).
Typical policyholders are urban, middle-to-high income, aged 25–54, and digitally savvy.
Barriers to wider adoption remain: premiums can be costly, and some owners are skeptical or confused by exclusions, especially around pre-existing conditions or complex terms. Still, cultural attachment and growing health costs are steadily increasing demand.
💰 Veterinary costs & pet care behavior
The cost of caring for pets in the UK is significant—and rising. The average annual spend for a dog is £2,000–£2,500; for a cat, £1,500–£2,000 (PDSA 2023). Veterinary expenses such as surgery (£1,500–£3,000), diagnostics (£300–£800), and emergency treatments (£800–£2,000) can quickly accumulate. Costs have risen steadily over the past 10 years, reflecting both inflation and advances in veterinary medicine.
Many owners rely on insurance for costly incidents: 42% report they could not afford a £1,000+ vet bill without cover. As a result, rising veterinary expenses play a decisive role in insurance uptake and in some owners postponing elective care without financial protection.
📈 Market size & growth outlook
The UK pet insurance market is one of Europe’s largest and most mature, reaching £1.6 billion in gross written premiums in 2024 (ABI). From 2020 to 2025, the sector saw 6.5% annual growth, and is forecast to expand at 5–6% CAGR through 2030 with continued digital innovation and pet population stability.
The market has been active since 1947 and now supports over 80 insurers—with the top five accounting for around 80% of business. Regulatory oversight is provided by the Financial Conduct Authority, which continues to emphasise transparency and fair value in insurance pricing and terms.
📦 Products & coverage models
UK pet insurance covers a spectrum of plans: accident-only, time-limited, maximum benefit, and the preferred lifetime cover. Most policies cap annual claims between £1,000 and £12,000, with deductibles typically £75–£250 and co-pays of 10–20%.
Average annual premiums are £327 for dogs and £190 for cats (ABI 2024). Preventive care cover (routine dental, vaccines, checkups) is usually available on premium plans, while extra services like 24/7 vet helplines and telehealth are becoming standard with leading brands such as ManyPets. Unlimited reimbursement models remain rare. Exclusions commonly cover pre-existing conditions, older pets (typically above 8 years), and specific “risk” breeds.
🧩 Competitive landscape
The UK market is highly concentrated, with leading brands like Petplan, Agria, ManyPets, Animal Friends, and Tesco Bank dominating. ManyPets, originally UK-based, now operates internationally, while Petplan is associated with Allianz globally.
Vertical integration is limited—most insurers work with a broad vet network rather than owning clinics. Recent years have seen strong investment: for instance, ManyPets raised £50m in 2023, and digital-only startups (like Waggel) are fast gaining ground. Acquisition strategies often leverage online comparators and affiliate partnerships to capture digitally engaged consumers.
🔮 Innovation & future trends
Digitisation leads UK industry change: over 75% of new policies are bought online, and claim processes are increasingly automated. Brands such as ManyPets and Waggel integrate apps, digital claims, and smart device data into their offering; connected collars and AI-driven underwriting are beginning to emerge. The FCA is pushing for greater transparency and value, especially regarding renewals and exclusions. Looking ahead, UK pet owners are expected to seek more flexible, customisable cover, faster payouts, and expanded preventive/wellness features—shaping a market that prizes both technological innovation and consumer trust.
Methodology
HelloSafe’s 2025 Global Pet Insurance Barometer is built on a cross-analysis of international public sources (FFA, NAPHIA, Agria, ABI, GDV, among others) and exclusive proprietary data from HelloSafe. The study spans 22 countries across 5 continents, with a focus on the most representative and contrasted markets in terms of insurance penetration, coverage quality, pricing, and innovation. All figures are based on the latest available data as of June 2025 and reflect a rigorous benchmarking of pet insurance practices through the lens of consumer expectations. The barometer leverages verified statistics from national regulatory bodies and market leaders, enriched with editorial and pricing insights from HelloSafe’s internal databases. This hybrid approach provides a unique global snapshot of how pet insurance is evolving worldwide.
Sources
- Seyna – The Pet Insurance Rush (2024)
- Dagsavisen (Norway) – Økte veterinærpriser gir dyrere forsikring (2024)
- The Dogs Business Professional (UK) – UK Pets Secure Second Spot in Worldwide Pet Insurance Coverage (2024)
- NAPHIA (North America) – State of the Industry Report (2024)
- Dogster (Canada) – 10 Canada Pet Insurance Statistics & Facts to Know in 2025 (2025)
- GlobalPETS (South Korea) – Pet insurance subscriptions jump by over 22% (2024)
- AVMA (United States) – US pet insurance industry surpasses $4.7B (2024)
- Umbrex – How the Pet Insurance Industry Works (2024)
- Sky TG24 (Italy) – +30% growth in pet insurance for cats and dogs (2023)
- Ken Research (Sweden) – Sweden Pet Insurance Market Report 2022–2027 (2024)
- Grand View Research – Canada Pet Insurance Market Outlook (2024)
- Gallup–PetSmart Charities – State of Pet Care Study (2024)
- Dogster – Canada Pet Ownership Statistics (2025)
- Global Pet Industry – Global Overview (2025)
- Statista – Global Pet Insurance Data (2023)
- AEDPAC – 2024 Pet Industry Figures (2024)
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