Pets & Your Phone Bill: The Hidden Cost of Home Insurance
Ever wonder if that cuddly kitten or wagging dog will bite more than your budget? Turns out it can. A fresh study shows that juggling a furry friend can add a hefty 10% to your home insurance premium—something you might be overlooking while dreaming of that new pet.
What the Numbers Say
- Median Joint Build‑&Contents Coverage: £219 for owner‑free households; £240 for those with a pet, a jump of about 9%.
- Buildings Only: £215 with a pet, up 12% from £203 when no pet is involved.
- Contents Only: The median climbs from £61 to £72—a 15% hike.
- Two Pets? Owning both a cat and a dog bumps the joint build‑&contents price up to £21 more, about 9% higher than single‑pet owners.
- Build‑Only with Two Pets: Stairs go from £208 to £229, roughly a 10% jump.
Is the Type of Pet a Factor?
Surprisingly—except the tiny difference of £3 for dog owners vs. cat owners in the joint policy—choices don’t skew premiums much. Buildings‑only and contents‑only costs stay pretty much equal across the board.
Expert Insight
Nathan Blackler, a home‑insurance whiz at Go.Compare, advises:
“Getting a pet is usually a rush to hug and play. That’s why the money side gets buried under a pile of fur and paws. Think about your budget before you swipe that cute paw print into your life.
A pet could bump your premiums by up to £35—so plan smart. If you do decide to adopt, let your insurer know right away; otherwise, the policy may turn into a broken sentence.
New money concerns? Keep comparing. Scoop around those policies to snag the best deal. It’s worth the extra click to keep your wallet comfy (and your apartment insured).
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