Five Ways You Can Accidentally Invalidate Your Pet Insurance, Warns Expert

UK pet owners are being urged to check their policies to avoid costly mistakes. Kara Gammell, pet insurance expert at comparison site MoneySuperMarket, is warning pet owners about five common ways they could accidentally invalidate their policy. With millions spent on veterinary bills each year, a simple oversight could leave pet owners facing expensive vet bills or without cover altogether. 

Kara Gammell, pet insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, says: "Most animal lovers would do anything for their furry companions, but many don't realise that everyday actions could invalidate their pet insurance. Getting the best deal for your pet insurance and ensuring your cover isn't jeopardised will help protect you and your pet when you need it most."  

Kara continues, "In June 2025, pet owners who shopped around for insurance with MoneySuperMarket were quoted a median price of less than £18.60 a month for dog insurance* and a median price of less than £11.30 a month for cat insurance**. As well as getting the best deals on your household bills, with MoneySuperMarket's SuperSaveClub you can earn rewards worth up to £130 a year when you switch and save - including a £5 reward when you buy pet insurance."

Here are five surprisingly common ways pet owners could invalidate their policy without even knowing it: 

1. Travelling with an unrestrained pet 

The Highway Code requires pets to be suitably restrained in vehicles – either in a secured carrier or with a seatbelt harness. If your pet is injured because it wasn't properly restrained, your insurer could reject your claim. Worse still, if your pet distracts you and causes an accident, you could face prosecution for dangerous driving. 

2. Sharing custody of your pet 

Most UK pet insurance policies specify that the policyholder must be the primary owner and caregiver. If you regularly share custody or your pet doesn't live with you full-time, you may find yourself ineligible for cover. Some insurers require pets to live with you for at least six months a year – always check your policy or talk to your provider for clarity. 

3. Having a pet who earns an income 

Standard pet insurance does not cover animals used for commercial purposes. This includes pets bred for profit, those used in racing or entertainment, and even pets earning income on social media. As soon as your pet becomes a 'working pet', standard policies rarely apply. Pet insurance expert, Kara Gammell advises: "Speak to your insurer about specialist cover if your pet is a social media star or involved in any form of work. It's always better to be safe than sorry." 

4. Skipping vet check-ups and vaccinations 

While vaccinations aren't always required to purchase pet insurance, most policies exclude conditions linked to missed jabs or check-ups. Failing to keep up with annual appointments - or ignoring symptoms - could mean your claim is rejected and jeopardise your pet's health. Kara explains: "Skipping those important visits could mean missed warning signs and more distress for both you and your pet." 

5. Over or under feeding your pet 

Pet insurance comes with a 'duty of care' clause. Failing to maintain your pet at a healthy weight - whether through overfeeding or underfeeding - could be classed as negligence. If your pet develops weight-related conditions or you don't declare obesity as a pre-existing condition, your insurer could raise your premiums or even decline your claim altogether.