How much is pet insurance in Ireland?

Published example prices

These are "from" prices that insurers publish for one example pet. Your own quote will depend on your pet.

In this example, adding illness cover raises the starting price for the same dog from €8.33 to €12.85 a month (Blue Insurance, checked 9 November 2026). At €8.33 a month, a year of the most basic dog cover comes to €99.96.

AA Ireland's February 2026 guide says the most common range of monthly premiums is €6.21 to €30, depending on the provider and the plan. It also notes that older pets will pay a higher premium.

What moves the price

The CCPC says premiums vary by location, breed and age of your pet (checked 9 November 2026). The main factors are:

• Age. The CCPC says older pets cost more to insure. The Irish Times called age "the biggest factor in the price of cover" in July 2026.
• Breed. The CCPC says some breeds may only be insured up to age five. Breeds prone to health problems often cost more, AA Ireland says.
• Where you live. AA Ireland says vet costs vary from area to area, and this feeds into prices.
• Type of cover. Accident-only cover is usually the lowest-priced policy, the CCPC says. AA Ireland says lifetime plans are pricier.
• Vet fee limit. SuperValu Pet Insurance says the level of vet fee cover you choose will affect your premium. Its limits are €2,000, €4,000 or €6,000 (checked 9 November 2026).
• Extras. AA Ireland says adding extras such as dental work, foreign travel or routine treatment increases the monthly payment.

Our guide to dog insurance in Ireland explains the cover types in more detail.

Excess and co-payment explained

The premium is not the only cost. When you claim, you pay part of the bill yourself.

Excess

The CCPC describes the excess as "the first part of any claim." At Petinsurance.ie you choose an excess from €75 to €275, per condition, per policy year. SuperValu Pet Insurance uses a fixed €125 excess, per condition, per policy year (both checked 9 November 2026).

Co-payment or bill share

A co-payment is a percentage of the bill that you pay after the excess. The CCPC says you may pay towards treatment costs once your pet reaches a certain age, usually 5 to 6 years.

Petinsurance.ie and SuperValu Pet Insurance both apply 15% once a pet is 5 or older. SuperValu publishes this worked example for a €2,000 vet bill (checked 9 November 2026):

Agria Petinsure warns that "a lower monthly premium may come with a higher excess or co-payment" (checked 9 November 2026). Compare what you would pay on a claim, not only the monthly price.

How premiums change as pets age

Expect the price to rise over time. The CCPC says premiums may increase after a claim or at renewal. Petinsurance.ie says older pets "often need more frequent medical attention", which is why renewal prices go up (checked 9 November 2026).

Age also changes the rules. The 15% co-payment above starts at age 5 with Petinsurance.ie and SuperValu Pet Insurance. Some insurers stop taking new pets at a set age: An Post Insurance accepts new cats and dogs from eight weeks until 8 years of age (checked 9 November 2026).

This makes switching harder for an older pet. A new policy would exclude conditions your pet already has, and some insurers will not take it on at all. Our guide to pet insurance for older dogs lists the age limits we could confirm.

Ways the CCPC says to lower the cost

• Shop around. Compare prices online or by phone.
• Pay yearly if it costs less. The CCPC says charges may apply for paying monthly by direct debit. Not every insurer charges: Petinsurance.ie says there is no extra fee for monthly instalments (checked 9 November 2026).
• Ask about discounts. The CCPC says discounts may be available for insuring more than one pet, applying online, or if you are over 60. An Post Insurance offers up to 10% off when two or more pets are insured, subject to a minimum premium of €78.95 to €164.95 (checked 9 November 2026).
• Check your home insurance. The CCPC says it may already cover third-party liability for your pet.

Watch the small fees too. Petinsurance.ie charges a €4.50 administration fee online and €6.00 through its call centre. Its prices include the 4% government levy and €1.00 stamp duty on new policies (checked 9 November 2026).

A lower price often means less cover. Before you choose accident-only cover to save money, check whether it would pay for the problems you are most worried about.

When the cost may not be worth it

For some owners, a savings fund for vet bills makes more sense than a premium that rises every year. We look at that choice in is pet insurance worth it. For an overview of cover, see our pet insurance guide.

Sources

• CCPC: Pet insurance (accessed 9 November 2026)
• AA Ireland: How Much Is Pet Insurance in Ireland? A Complete 2026 Cost Guide, published 10 February 2026 (accessed 9 November 2026)
• Blue Insurance pet insurance page (accessed 9 November 2026)
• Petinsurance.ie FAQ page (accessed 9 November 2026)
• SuperValu Pet Insurance page (accessed 9 November 2026)
• An Post Insurance pet insurance page (accessed 9 November 2026)
• Agria Petinsure: Understanding Policy Excesses and Co-Payment (accessed 9 November 2026)
• The Irish Times: Pet insurance: can it save you thousands in vet bills?, 17 July 2026 (accessed 9 November 2026)