Can pet insurance help if your pet goes missing?

Seven in 10 pet owners who have had a pet go missing, didn't have pet insurance at the time, a new Which?* survey has revealed.

Yet pet insurance can often be of help in this situation –  read on to find out what a policy can offer if your pet strays from home.

Plus, we ask pet charities for tips on how to minimise this risk of a pet going missing and what to do if your cat or dog does disappear.

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• Find out more: our picks for best pet insurance in 2024.

Can pet insurance help if your pet goes missing? 

According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), pet insurance generally can cover:

• Advertising costs: this includes expenses associated with finding your lost or stolen pet, as well as the cost of offering a reward for its safe return.
• Loss of the pet: if your pet is lost or stolen, or dies before a certain age, your policy can pay you back the amount you paid for your pet or what it's worth (market value). This amount is usually up to a certain limit stated in your insurance papers.

You should check to see if your pet insurance policy includes these things. Keep in mind that your insurance usually won't cover incidents within the first 14 days of getting the policy. And if your pet isn’t properly microchipped, this may void coverage.

When you need to make a claim, make sure you have:

• proof of purchase from when you bought your pet
• receipts for any advertising costs or rewards offered
• your pet's microchip number.

Find out more: our picks for best cat insurance 2024.

How to minimise the risk of your pet going missing

Pets with ID tags are much easier to find if they get lost. In the UK, it’s a legal requirement that dogs must wear collars or ID tags with their owner's details in public. However, collars can be risky for cats and rabbits, potentially causing harm or choking, so be careful when selecting the collar type. 

When it comes to minimising the risk of your pet going missing, both Blue Cross and the RSPCA offer valuable advice:

• Secure your environment: both charities recommend ensuring your garden is secure with locked gates to prevent pets from wandering off. Blue Cross also recommends fitting bells or lights to the gate for notification if it's opened.
• Microchipping identification: Blue Cross stresses the significance of microchipping your pet and keeping your contact details up-to-date on the microchipping database. In the UK, it's mandatory to microchip dogs over eight weeks old. Failure to do so could result in a fine of up to £500 and potentially void your policy for theft and straying. It will also be compulsory for all cats to be microchipped from June 2024.
• Supervise your pets: both pet charities advise against leaving pets unsupervised in the garden, tied up outside shops or alone in cars.
• Train your pets: teach dogs to have good recall and to avoid straying too far when off-lead on walks. This reduces the likelihood of them wandering off or getting lost, according to the RSPCA. 
• Have ownership proof: have plenty of photographs of yourself with your pet to help prove ownership if needed. This can be beneficial in case of disputes or theft, according to Blue Cross. 

What to do if your pet goes missing

When your pet goes missing, it's important to take swift action. Both Blue Cross and the RSPCA offer advice on what steps to take:

• Check your surroundings: Blue Cross advises asking neighbours to check garages, sheds and cars, while the RSPCA encourages community members to check garden sheds and other hiding spots.
• Contact authorities and organisations: both recommend contacting local authorities, charities, vets, and animal hospitals. RSPCA specifically mentions reporting the missing dog to the local dog warden, vets, rescue groups, animal hospitals and rehoming centres.
• Microchip database and social media: Blue Cross suggests contacting the microchip database your pet is registered with and also warns about potential scammers that may call up claiming they’ve found your missing pet. The RSPCA advises using local social media platforms such as Facebook to spread the word and registering pets on missing pet websites such as Animal Search UK, Dogslost, or National Pets Register.
• Raise awareness: both organisations emphasise the importance of putting up pictures of your pet in the local area with contact details. Create posters with clear photographs and details, and display them in local areas such as parks and vet surgeries.
• Be aware of pet theft: RSPCA underscores the seriousness of pet theft and advocates for tougher laws as a deterrent, while Blue Cross also advises contacting the police if you suspect your pet has been stolen.

Find out more: our picks for the best dog insurance 2024.

* Which? surveyed 822 pet owners in February 2024 and 253 said that they had a pet go missing.

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1. Inspop.com Ltd for the introduction of non-investment motor, home, travel and pet insurance, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to provide advice and arrange non-investment motor, home, travel and pet insurance products (FRN310635). Inspop.com Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to provide advice and arrange non-investment motor, home, travel and pet insurance products (FRN310635) and is registered in England and Wales to Greyfriars House, Greyfriars Road, Cardiff, South Wales, CF10 3AL, company number 03857130. Confused.com is a trading name of Inspop.com Ltd. 

2. LifeSearch Partners Limited (FRN656479), for the introduction of Pure Protection Contracts and Private Health Insurance, who are authorised and regulated by the FCA to provide advice and arrange Pure Protection Contracts and Private Health Insurance Contracts.  LifeSearch Partners Ltd is registered in England and Wales to 3000a Parkway, Whiteley, Hampshire, PO15 7FX, company number 03412386.

3. HUB Financial Solutions, for the introduction of equity release advice, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (‘FCA’) to provide advice and guidance on financial products for those who have retired or are approaching retirement (FCA Firm Reference Number: 455713). HUB Financial Solutions is registered in England and Wales to Enterprise House, Bancroft Road, Reigate, Surrey RH12 7RP, company number 05125701.

4. Alan Boswell Insurance Brokers Ltd (FRN 301), for the introduction of non-investment landlord insurances, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority to provide advice and arrange insurance contracts. Alan Boswell insurance brokers Ltd is registered in England at Prospect House, Rouen Rd, Norwich NR1 1RE, company number 02591252.

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