"It’s clear from our survey that many pet owners don’t realise their home insurance probably won’t cover them if their pet causes damage to their property, which is leading to thousands of rejected claims"
- Nathan Blackler - Go Compare
Thousands of UK pet owners have seen their home insurance claims turned down for damage caused by animals, leading to unnecessary premium increases and widespread confusion over policy terms.
New analysis from Go.Compare home insurance reveals that £801.8 million worth of home insurance claims have been rejected because the damage was caused by pets, a common exclusion from standard policies. The findings suggest that a significant number of pet owners are unaware that their furry companions may not be covered, leaving them vulnerable to financial loss and future price hikes.
The estimate combines consumer survey data with figures from the Financial Conduct Authority. According to Go.Compare, more than 480,000 claims have been denied for this reason, equivalent to roughly 2% of all pet owners in the UK. Based on average claim values, this translates to hundreds of millions lost simply because people did not know the limits of their insurance.
Widespread misunderstanding among pet owners
Almost half of those surveyed (45%) admitted they did not realise home insurance often excludes damage caused by pets. This equates to around 12.5 million people. Go.Compare explains that such damage is typically only covered under accidental damage protection, which is not included as standard in many policies.
“It’s clear from our survey that many pet owners don’t realise their home insurance probably won’t cover them if their pet causes damage to their property, which is leading to thousands of rejected claims," comments Nathan Blackler, home insurance expert at Go.Compare. "Having a claim rejected can also result in higher premiums, so it’s crucial to check that you’re definitely covered before making a claim.”
He added, “You can find protection for these damages from some providers if it’s something you feel you’ll need, but you might have to shop around. Before you buy a policy, you should always check what’s covered and what’s excluded. If pet damages aren’t included, see if the provider offers accidental damage cover as an add-on, and check whether this will protect you against cat or dog damage.”
Blackler continued, “Taking the time to investigate these details will prevent you from encountering any unwanted surprises and avoidable price hikes whenever your cuddly companion gets up to mischief. That’s why you should always compare policies to find a provider that offers the level of cover you need for a price you can afford.”
Younger policyholders less informed
The survey showed a noticeable generational gap in awareness. While 64% of pet owners aged over 54 were aware of the exclusion, the figure dropped to 53% among those aged 35 to 54, and to just 46% for those under 35. This suggests younger pet owners are less informed about standard insurance terms.
Awareness also rose with the number of pets owned. Around half of those with one or two pets said they knew about the exclusion, compared to 68% of those with three pets and 88% of owners with four or more.
Some policies do offer cover
Although pet damage is rarely included by default, some policies do provide protection. According to Go.Compare’s findings, 52% of pet owners who made claims for such damage were successful. That equals approximately 519,000 accepted claims, amounting to an estimated £862.4 million paid out by insurers.
However, the high volume of rejected claims suggests many customers proceed without understanding their cover, often resulting in the need to disclose a failed claim at renewal — a factor that can drive up future premiums.
