2026
9
UK Pet Insurance Market Report 2026
2026-07-23T10:01:13+00:00
REP24F2C0AD_C2CE_411C_B2C0_ADC2CEB11CBC
2195
194944
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Report
en_GB
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

Thomas Slide, Category Director

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  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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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