Nearly half of UK pet owners do not have insurance, despite the rising cost of veterinary care. The challenge facing insurers is to convince the uninsured of the value that…
UK
Insurance
Pets
simple
UK Pet Insurance Market Report 2026
"The future of pet insurance extends beyond claims. Rising costs, AI and preventative care are reshaping how insurers attract, retain and support pet owners."
Thomas Slide, Category Director
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
What you need to know
Outlook for pet insurance
Opportunities
Appeal to over-55s through simplicity and control
Reposition insurance for proactive ‘pet parenting’
The Direct-to-Pharmacy benefit
THE MARKET
Mintel’s market size and forecast
Rising costs are redefining the value of pet insurance
Graph 1: annual CPI and CPIH rates, 2021-26
Pet ownership is rising steadily among the young
Graph 2: pet ownership, by age, 2026
Regulatory changes reshape pricing transparency
THE CONSUMER
Targeting the uninsured
Pet ownership growth is not translating into insurance uptake
Opportunity lies beyond pet ownership growth
Unlock growth by converting uninsured pet owners
Challenge value and risk perceptions to unlock growth
Graph 3: reasons for not having pet insurance, 2026
Simplify cover to appeal to pet owners over 65
Graph 4: pet owners with experience paying a vet bill over £1,000, by age, 2026
Rising demand for preventative care
Preventative care is reshaping expectations of pet insurance
Bridge the insurance gap
Graph 5: attitudes towards pet wellbeing, by age, 2026
Leverage youth demand for data-led health management
Generation Z is driving demand for subscription-based pet care
Younger pet owners prioritise pet wellbeing
Integrate pet care into daily routines with subscription wellness services
Target urban pet owners with preventative care plans
Insurance shifts to proactive, tech-driven care
Transparency will be critical as AI use grows
Automate the value chain from underwriting to claims
Pet owners show growing interest in data-driven care
Create more value through connected care
Unlock growth through tailored nutrition at the start of the pet ownership journey
INNOVATION AND MARKETING
Pet care becomes more personalised and data-driven
The shift from protection to prevention
Demand is growing for data-led pet health management
Qpaws brings the rise of data-driven pet care
Pet wearables move beyond location tracking
Making insurance part of everyday pet care
ManyPets’ ‘For Life with your Tailmates’ campaign
APPENDIX
The consumer
Consumer research questions
Consumer research methodology – EMEA
UK generation groups
Abbreviations
Abbreviations and terms
Nearly half of UK pet owners do not have insurance, despite the rising cost of veterinary care. The challenge facing insurers is to convince the uninsured of the value that cover can offer at a time when household budgets are under increasing strain.
Pet insurance is no longer just about covering emergencies. AI and digital health tools are enabling insurers to deliver more personalised support, strengthening relationships with pet owners beyond the point of claim.
The next phase of growth will come from making pet insurance part of everyday pet care. As owners increasingly embrace subscriptions, digital tools and proactive health management, insurers have an opportunity to build more frequent and meaningful touchpoints with customers.
Rising financial pressures are making pet owners more selective about insurance. With household budgets stretched and premiums increasing, many consumers are choosing to self-insure, putting greater pressure on insurers to justify both the cost and value of their propositions.
This Report Looks at the Following Areas:
How rising pet ownership and veterinary costs are shaping demand for pet insurance
Why preventative care is creating opportunities for wellness-led insurance propositions
How technology and AI are reshaping claims handling, customer experience and personalisation
How perceptions of trust, value and affordability influence pet insurance purchase decisions
The opportunity to grow uptake among young uninsured pet owners
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