Puppy insurance
Get a quote for your puppy with our dog insurance in minutes, so your newest family member is protected from the moment you collect them.
Provided by Pinnacle Insurance plc.
Query about our cover? Just ask us a question.
Applies to cover over £4000. Time limited and Rabbit cover excluded.
Why choose our pet insurance for your puppy?
If ever your pup finds themselves in trouble, we’ll have their back with our pet insurance for puppies. Sainsbury’s Bank cover is available from when they’re just eight weeks old.
- Choose from time limited, maximum benefit or four levels of lifetime cover
Different levels of cover to suit you and your puppy’s needs - Get 24/7 Vet Assistance, whenever, wherever you need it
Get the care your puppy needs, whether you’re at home, on holiday or out and about - Make claims and some changes to your details quickly and simply online with My Pet Portal
We make it easy to make a claim or update your details online with My Pet Portal - Insure more than one pet on one policy and save £1 per pet, per month†
Protect all your furry or fluffy companions on one policy and start saving - Get your paws on an extra discount when you’re a Nectar member*
Nectar members get a discount* on puppy pet insurance
What your puppy is covered for
If your new puppy gets injured or falls ill, an unexpected trip to the vet can be super stressful – and could set you back a lot of money.
Please don’t take the risk. With all our pet insurance products, we’ll help cover the cost of your vet fees, including dental treatment (excludes routine dental treatment, terms and conditions apply) and physiotherapy. The maximum cover limits are shown below and also on you certificate of insurance.
| Benefit | Time limited Covers each condition for up to 12 months or up to max amount below |
Maximum benefit Covers up to the max amount per condition |
Lifetime Covers up to max amount each year |
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| Treatment period | 12 months | unlimited | unlimited |
| Treatment basis | per condition | per condition | per year |
| Veterinary fees |  |
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| Veterinary helpline | |
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| Additional benefits | |
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| Holiday cover | |
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Veterinary fees can include:
| Benefit | Time limited £3,000 | Maximum benefit £6,000 | Lifetime £10,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental cover (excludes routine dental treatment, terms and conditions apply) | up to £3,000 | up to £6,000 | up to £10,000 |
| Complementary Treatment | £500 | up to £1,500 | up to £1,500 |
| Physiotherapy | £500 | up to £1,500 | up to £1,500 |
| Behavioural illnesses (excludes the cost of any damage to your home) | up to £3,000 | up to £6,000 | up to £10,000 |
| Overseas veterinary treatment | up to £3,000 | up to £6,000 | up to £10,000 |
Additional benefits and limits:
| Benefit | Time limited £3,000 | Maximum benefit £6,000 | Lifetime £10,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Death from accident/injury | up to £1,000 | up to £1,500 | up to £2,000 |
| Death from illness | up to £1,000 | up to £1,500 | up to £2,000 |
| Cremation | up to £200 | up to £200 | up to £200 |
| Advertising & reward (local advertising only. Your dog must be microchipped) | up to £1,000 | up to £1,500 | up to £2,000 |
| Theft or straying (your dog must be microchipped) | up to £1,000 | up to £1,500 | up to £2,000 |
| Emergency boarding kennel fees | up to £1,000 | up to £1,500 | up to £1,500 |
| Third Party Liability | £2 million | £2 million | £2 million |
Holiday travel cover:
| Benefit | Time limited £3,000 | Maximum benefit £6,000 | Lifetime £10,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holiday cancellation | up to £1,000 | up to £1,500 | up to £3,000 |
| Quarantine costs | up to £1,000 | up to £1,500 | up to £1,500 |
| Loss of healthcare cert | up to £250 | up to £250 | up to £250 |
| Emergency expenses abroad | up to £1,000 | up to £1,500 | up to £1,500 |
There are some breeds that we won’t cover under our Lifetime £10,000 limit which you can find details of in our FAQ section. Please note that we won't cover any pre-existing conditions and that terms, conditions, excesses, exclusions and limitations apply. You can find out more about the terms of our cover in our policy documents.
What cover is right for your puppy?
Time limited, lifetime or maximum benefit? The pet insurance product and level of cover you choose is completely up to you – it all depends on your circumstances and puppy’s needs.
Lifetime
Our most comprehensive pet insurance means your puppy is covered up to the maximum benefit shown in the table above each year. You can claim up to that amount, for certain conditions, every year of their life.
Lifetime cover means if your puppy develops a condition after you take out the policy, you may be covered when they need help. We insure puppies as young as eight weeks old, but you can start a new dog insurance policy for most dog breeds, up to their eighth birthday.
Time limited
With time limited cover, each condition is covered for 12 months or until the maximum benefit is paid for that condition – whichever comes first. You can claim for different treatments during the 12 months you’re covered.
Time limited cover helps you pay the vet fees for short-term treatment your puppy may need, such as for an illness, injury or condition that it has never suffered from before.
Maximum benefit
With max benefit insurance, you can claim vet fees per condition during the lifetime of your policy, up to the policy limit.
You can claim for the same condition multiple times, and if you reach the limit for that condition, you’re still covered for other conditions your puppy may develop over the course of the policy.
Why buy puppy insurance?
Bringing a new puppy into your life is an exciting time, but like all new puppy parents you don’t want to think about your little bundle of joy being injured or becoming ill.
There are lots of things to think about before you bring your puppy home, including whether to get puppy insurance. Here are a few things to consider:
- Puppies have weaker immune systems than adult dogs, so they can be more susceptible to illness, allergies and infections.
- Puppies are still developing their coordination and muscle strength, so they may be more accident-prone than adult dogs.
- We offer several flexible pet insurance policies that may be perfect for your puppy, giving you the freedom to choose a policy that’s right for you and your pet’s circumstances
What does puppy insurance cover?
Depending on the policy you choose, puppy insurance can cover treatment costs for most illnesses, injuries or other health problems, including:
- Consultations – both in-person and online
Should your puppy need expert advice from vets, we can cover some of the costs of this. We can also provide 24/7 Vet Assistance online or over the phone. - Surgery
We can help your mind stay focused on your puppy if they need surgery, and not on the bills. - Physiotherapy and specialised care
A long-term problem can be a worry for any puppy parent. Our pup policies can pay for physio and specialised care that may be needed. - Hereditary and behavioural conditions
Inherited disorders that develop after you’ve taken out a policy with us can be covered. This includes diagnostic tests that are needed to identify problems. - Dental illness
We offer dental cover for up to £3,000, £6,000 and as much as £10,000, depending on the policy you choose. - Puppy going missing through theft or straying
We can help with the associated costs of finding your pet, including paying for ‘missing’ posters and rewards offered. - Injuries or damage to people or property
If your pup gets a little pesky, a Sainsbury’s Bank policy can help to pay for some of the damage done.
What isn’t covered by puppy insurance?
As with most puppy insurance policies, there are some exclusions that mean we can’t cover certain things with the cover we offer.
This includes:
- Spaying and neutering
- Vaccinations
- Pre-existing conditions
- Selected dog breeds
- Conditions or ilnesses that have been identified within the first 14 days of a policy start date, or accidents within the first three days
What to consider when buying puppy insurance
Before getting a puppy insurance quote, there are some things to consider when choosing the right policy.
- Breed of puppy
Lots of pedigree dog breeds are more prone to developing genetic conditions as they age. For example, Labradors are susceptible to developing hip dysplasia, German Shepherds arthritis and Dalmatians glaucoma. Before you purchase a puppy, it’s important to research the health of the breed you’ve chosen, as this could affect whether or not you can insure your puppy. - Pre-existing medical conditions
Be sure to ask the breeder or rescue shelter if the puppy you’re adopting has any pre-existing conditions. It’s also worth checking if their parents have any health issues they might pass to their offspring. - The lifestyle of your puppy
Whether your puppy will grow up to be a family pet or a working dog may impact its overall health, the types of activity it does and the insurance cover you choose. - Temperament
Different dog breeds have different temperaments – some are obedient, while others can be more difficult to train. If your puppy damages property, causes an accident or bites a person or another dog, you will be liable for damages. Make sure you take this into account when choosing your pet insurance.
Helpful guides for your puppy
Get a little help welcoming your puppy into your world with our handy guides and information.
Prepping for your pup
Make sure you’re ready for your new puppy with our go-to guide
Get a pet-friendly home
Hints and tips to help create the perfect pad for your puppy
Pets reunited
New puppy gone missing? Our handy guide can help you get it back
Need more help?
Can’t decide which breed is right for you and your family? We’ve got lots more information on different dog breeds to help you decide.
Ready to protect your puppy?
If you’d like to get a quote for your pet insurance, you can get started right away. If you’re ready, we’re ready.
Got more than one pet?
If you’re adding your puppy to a growing pet pack, you can save at £1 per pet per month with our multi-pet insurance✝. You can insure an unlimited number of pets and manage their policies together. Protect more. Save more.
Any questions?
If you’ve got a question about protecting your puppy, or pet insurance in general, we have the answer for you.
Need to talk to us?
Call 0344 543 1032 to speak to one of our advisers.
We’re here Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm and Saturday, 9am-1pm. Calls are charged at local rates from landlines and mobiles and may be monitored and recorded.
You can find support online too.
Frequently asked questions
From what age can I insure my puppy?
You can take out a pet insurance policy with us as soon as your puppy is eight weeks old. Dog insurance is then available once your puppy grows up, which can be taken out up until their eighth birthday. For some breeds, this is up until their fifth birthday.
Can you insure a puppy before you collect it?
It depends on whether you puppy is already insured. Breeders often take out their own insurance to protect new-born puppies before they go to their forever homes.
Most breeders and shelters allow new owners to collect their puppies from eight weeks, which is when our insurance policies can be taken out.
Does puppy insurance cover vaccinations?
Puppy insurance doesn’t cover routine vaccinations. But it’s important to get your pup vaccinated to protect them from common diseases they could pick up while outside. Keeping your vaccinations up to date might also mean lower insurance premiums.
What affects the cost of puppy insurance?
Factors like the age and breed of your puppy can affect the cost of dog insurance. The type of cover you choose and the number of claims you make can also affect the overall cost of a policy.
How soon after taking out pet insurance can you claim?
Unless your policy allows it, you won’t be able to make a puppy insurance claim for pre-existing conditions, conditions or illnesses that occur or show symptoms at least 14 days after taking out the policy, or for accidents or poisoning within the first three days. This is known as the exclusion period. Your puppy will need to remain at home for the first two to four weeks anyway, until they have had all their booster vaccinations.
Terms and conditions
*Guaranteed discount for Nectar card holders: The discount is based on information related to you and the transactions you've made with Sainsbury's supermarkets and Sainsbury's Bank using your Nectar card. For more information go to sainsburysbank.co.uk/nectar.
†Multi-pet discount is a minimum of £24 when insuring more than one pet as this is worked out at £1 per pet per month for each pet on a policy. Pets can have different cover levels. Discount deducted separately from any other offer.
Important information
Sainsbury's Bank plc, Registered Office, 33 Holborn, London EC1N 2HT (registered in England and Wales, no. 3279730) is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (register no. 184514). Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd is an appointed representative of Sainsbury's Bank plc.
Sainsbury's Bank plc acts as an introducer to Pinnacle Insurance plc who is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (register number 110866). Registered Office: Pinnacle House, A1 Barnet Way, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, WD6 2XX. Sainsbury’s Bank plc and Pinnacle Insurance plc are not part of the same corporate group.