You can still buy a new policy for an older dog in Ireland, but not from every insurer. Petinsurance.ie, SuperValu Pet Insurance and Agria Petinsure say they have no upper age limit, while An Post Insurance and Allianz take new dogs only under 8 (insurers' websites, checked 9 November 2026). With some insurers, once your dog is 5 or older you also pay 15% of every claim.
Age limits for new policies
These are the limits we could confirm on each insurer's own website on 9 November 2026. They can change, so check before you apply.
| Insurer | Age for a new policy | What the insurer says |
|---|---|---|
| Petinsurance.ie (also arranges AA Ireland pet cover) | From 8 weeks, no upper limit | "There is no upper age limit for insuring your pet with us." |
| SuperValu Pet Insurance | From 8 weeks, no upper limit | "from the age of eight weeks with no upper age limit" |
| Agria Petinsure | From 8 weeks, no upper limit, with some breed rules | "There is no upper age limit for the dogs we insure." |
| An Post Insurance | From 8 weeks until 8 years | "from eight weeks until 8 years of age" |
| Allianz | Under 8 years | "Pets must be less than 8 years old to qualify for cover" |
The CCPC says some insurers will not accept pets over a certain age, usually 6 to 8 years, and some breeds may only be insured up to age five (checked 9 November 2026).
A headline of "no upper age limit" may still have conditions. Agria Petinsure notes "some Breed specific exclusions and age at entry and stand-down periods" in its policy terms. Ask the insurer what applies to your breed.
Keep renewing if you already have cover
An Post Insurance's age limit applies to new policies only. It says that if you renew each year without a break, "there is no upper age limit and we will continue to offer cover for your pet" (checked 9 November 2026).
Moving an older dog to a new insurer carries two risks. The new insurer may refuse because of its age limit. And any condition your dog already has would count as pre-existing, which the CCPC says pet insurance does not cover.
Pre-existing conditions
An older dog usually has more vet history, so this exclusion matters more. Allianz defines a pre-existing condition as any illness or injury your pet "had or showed signs or symptoms of before you took out this insurance policy" (Allianz policy document, checked 9 November 2026).
Under that wording, signs or symptoms count even if your dog was never diagnosed. Before you buy, ask the insurer which past problems in your dog's vet records it would exclude.
Co-payment for older dogs
Several of the policies we checked add a co-payment, also called a bill share or percentage excess, once a pet reaches a certain age. The CCPC says this usually starts at 5 to 6 years.
At Petinsurance.ie, "If your pet is 5 years or older, a 15% bill share applies to your policy." It publishes this example with a €75 excess: on a €1,500 vet bill you pay €288.75 and the insurer pays €1,211.25 (checked 9 November 2026).
SuperValu Pet Insurance applies 15% if your pet is 5 or older on the start date of the policy year, after its fixed €125 excess. On a €2,000 claim, its example shows you paying €406.25 (checked 9 November 2026).
Allianz's policy says you may be required to pay a percentage of each vet fees claim "depending on the age of your pet", with the figure shown on your schedule. Agria Petinsure says co-payments "are commonly used for older pets" (both checked 9 November 2026).
Lifetime or time-limited cover for an older dog
Petinsurance.ie says older pets "often need more frequent medical attention" (checked 9 November 2026). That makes the cover type a bigger decision.
Time-limited cover covers each condition for a set period. The CCPC says this is usually 12 months, and Petinsurance.ie says the condition is not covered after that time, or once the vet fee limit is reached.
Lifetime cover pays up to a yearly limit for as long as you renew, the CCPC says. An Post Insurance says its lifetime policy is designed for chronic or recurring conditions "such as arthritis or eczema."
Lifetime cover usually costs more. AA Ireland's dog insurance page says that, generally, the more limited options cost less than the more comprehensive ones (checked 9 November 2026). And the Irish Times noted in July 2026 that lifetime does not mean unlimited: the yearly vet fee limit still applies.
One question can help you decide. If your dog develops arthritis next year, would you want the policy to keep paying after 12 months?
Other cover that changes with age
- Death from illness. Allianz will not pay for death from illness in any of its listed "Select Breeds" aged 5 or over, or any other pet aged 8 or over (Allianz policy document, checked 9 November 2026).
- Optional extras. AA Ireland's "Saying Goodbye" extra covers death from illness for dogs up to age 8, or from an accident (checked 9 November 2026).
- Premiums. AA Ireland says older pets will pay a higher premium, and the CCPC says premiums may increase after a claim or at renewal.
Our guide to how much pet insurance costs shows how age moves the price.
What to check for an older dog
- The age limit for a new policy, and any separate limit for your breed
- When the co-payment starts and what percentage it is
- The excess, and whether it applies per condition, per year
- Which of your dog's past problems would be excluded (ask for this in writing)
- Whether the policy is time-limited, maximum benefit or lifetime
- Any restrictions on bilateral conditions, which affect both sides of the body. The CCPC says check for these. Allianz's definition includes cruciate ligaments, hips and elbows.
- Health check conditions. An Post Insurance says your pet must have an annual health check by a vet.
For a wider list of exclusions, read our guide to dog insurance in Ireland.
When it may not be worth it for an older dog
If your dog already has several conditions that would be excluded, a new policy may not cover what it is most likely to need. Add the rising premium, the excess and a 15% share of each bill, and the numbers can stop adding up.
Saving a set amount each month into a fund for vet bills is the alternative the Irish Times described in July 2026. We weigh up both options in is pet insurance worth it. For the basics, start with our pet insurance guide.
Sources
- CCPC: Pet insurance (accessed 9 November 2026)
- Petinsurance.ie: home page, FAQ, time-limited and dog insurance pages (accessed 9 November 2026)
- SuperValu Pet Insurance page (accessed 9 November 2026)
- Agria Petinsure: home page, dog insurance page and Understanding Policy Excesses and Co-Payment (accessed 9 November 2026)
- An Post Insurance pet insurance page (accessed 9 November 2026)
- Allianz online pet insurance quote page and pet insurance policy document, version 09-26 (accessed 9 November 2026)
- AA Ireland pet insurance and dog insurance pages, and AA Ireland 2026 cost guide (accessed 9 November 2026)
- The Irish Times: Pet insurance: can it save you thousands in vet bills?, 17 July 2026 (accessed 9 November 2026)
General information, not financial advice. Prices and rules change: check the details with the insurer before you buy.