Home insurance premiums jump by 10% for pet owners, analysis from GoCompare shows.
The median cost of joint buildings and contents home insurance is £219 for those who don’t have a dog or cat, while for homeowners with a pet it costs £240 on average.
There’s also more of a ramp up in costs when owners have both a cat and a dog.
Separate buildings and contents insurance policies can have the sharpest rise for pet owners, meaning it makes more sense to get a joint policy.
Nathan Blackler, home insurance expert at Go.Compare, said: “Getting a pet is always an exciting experience, so it’s easy to get caught up in the moment and forget about the financial aspect. Remember to consider your budget when deciding whether to get a pet, as there are lots of costs you might need to consider, including one or two you might not think about, like home insurance.
“The median home insurance premium can be up to £35 higher for pet owners in some instances. Be sure to take this into account so that you don’t find yourself scrambling to make up for the extra cost.
“If you do take the exciting step to get a pet, you will need to tell your home insurance provider, as failure to do so could invalidate your policy. If prices become a problem, try comparing policies to see if you could get the cover you need for a lower price elsewhere. Regularly doing this will make sure you’re getting the best deal you can, so it’s always worthwhile checking what policies are available.”