Cocker spaniels are affectionate, lively companions who enjoy spending time with their families.
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Pet insurance helps cover eligible veterinary costs if your cocker spaniel becomes ill or is injured. Some cocker spaniels can develop health conditions such as ear infections, hip dysplasia and eye problems.
Policy Expert offers Bronze, Silver and Gold, each with different annual vet fee limits shown on your schedule.
When selecting pet insurance, Policy Expert offers several compelling advantages. Here are a few reasons people choose Policy Expert for their pet insurance needs:
Policy Expert pet insurance is a lifetime policy, meaning limits refresh each year as long as the policy is renewed without a break.
Your quote and schedule will show the premium, cover level, annual limit, excess and any co-payment that applies.
Choose from Bronze, Silver and Gold cover options, each with different annual vet fee limits and benefits.
Before diving into insurance specifics, let's look at what makes cocker spaniels unique:
12-16 years, with many living into their mid-teens with proper care.
13-15 kg on average, though this varies between English and American varieties.
Wide variety including golden, black, liver, parti-colour, and roan patterns.
Affectionate, eager to please, and energetic.
Exercise needs vary with your dog’s age and health; ask your vet what’s suitable.
Daily brushing required due to their medium-length, silky coat.
Medium-sized breed suitable for various home environments.
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Cocker spaniels are renowned for their gentle, loving nature and intelligence. Originally bred as gun dogs, they retain a strong working instinct but are happiest as loyal, people-oriented companions who form close bonds with their owners.
Most cockers are cheerful, playful dogs that thrive on companionship and respond well to positive reinforcement training. Each dog has its own personality and individual needs.
One of the most common issues affecting the breed, requiring regular dental care.
The breed's pendulous ears create a warm, moist environment prone to infection.
Cocker spaniels have a tendency to gain weight without proper diet and exercise management.
A hereditary condition affecting joint development.
An inherited eye disease that can lead to blindness.
Increased pressure within the eye requiring prompt treatment.
Including allergies and seborrhoea.
Policy Expert's pet insurance covers accident and illness, including many hereditary and chronic conditions, provided they weren't present before your policy started or during waiting periods.
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Pet insurance isn’t a legal requirement in the UK. It may help with eligible veterinary costs if your cocker spaniel becomes ill or is injured. Whether it’s suitable for you depends on your circumstances and the cover you choose. Policy terms, limits, exclusions, excesses and any co-payment apply.
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The cost of cocker spaniel insurance depends on your dog and the cover you choose. Factors that can affect your premium include your dog’s age, your postcode, your chosen excess, the level of cover selected, the annual vet fee limit and your dog’s medical history.
Policy Expert offers Bronze, Silver and Gold cover, with different annual vet fee limits shown on your schedule. Bronze offers £2,000 or £4,000 in annual vet fee cover, Silver offers £5,000 or £7,500, and Gold offers £10,000 or £15,000. The best way to understand the cost for your cocker spaniel is to get a quote based on your dog’s details and the level of cover you want.
When it comes to cover for your cocker spaniel, we offer three levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold.
Bronze covers your cocker spaniel for eligible illnesses and injuries, with a yearly vet fee limit of £2,000 or £4,000 shown on your schedule. Your cover includes third-party liability and selected vet fee benefits such as specialist diagnostics and treatment food, subject to policy limits and exclusions.
Silver increases the yearly vet fee limit to £5,000 or £7,500, depending on what's shown on your schedule. This level can include additional benefits for your cocker spaniel like complementary treatment, behavioural treatment, dental care for accidents, emergency boarding or minding, missing pet cover, and optional Farewell and Holiday cover.
Gold gives your cocker spaniel the highest yearly vet fee limit at £10,000 or £15,000, depending on your schedule. It comes with higher limits for some benefits, dental care for accidents and illness, Holiday cover as standard, and optional Farewell cover.
Your schedule shows the limit that applies to your policy. The levels also differ in their included benefits and limits. Compare these alongside the premium, excess and any co-payment to understand how the options differ.
Cover focuses on the conditions cocker spaniels claim for most - particularly ears, eyes and joints. Policy Expert's cocker spaniel insurance typically includes:
Up to your annual limit, including the ear and eye conditions common in the breed.
Such as physiotherapy and hydrotherapy.
From accidents or illness (Bronze: none; Silver: accidents only; Gold: accidents and illness).
If your dog injures someone or damages their property.
Optional extras, depending on your schedule: Farewell cover (Silver and Gold) and Holiday cover (optional with Silver, standard with Gold).
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“If you have a cocker spaniel, you'll know they're brilliant family dogs, but you'll also know they can be prone to certain health issues, particularly with their ears, eyes and joints. These conditions aren't just painful for your dog, treatment can be costly too. The right pet insurance means you can get your dog the veterinary care they need, when they need it, without the financial worry. Meaning you can just focus on spending more precious family-time together."
Linda Crichton, Chief Service and Operations Officer
Because the breed's ears and eyes are its most common claim areas, it's worth knowing how exclusions apply. Your policy doesn't cover:
Any signs or symptoms of a diagnosed or undiagnosed illness or injury before your policy began.
You or your vet knew about or suspected in the first 14 days, and injuries from accidents in the first 48 hours.
Vaccinations, flea and worm prevention, preventative or cosmetic treatments, regular check-ups and routine dental care.
Mating, pregnancy, giving birth or looking after puppies.
Not on Bronze; refer to the relevant policy limits and any recommendation from an appropriate professional
Remember, your excess and any co-payment apply when you make a claim.
When you get a quote, we'll need:
Your dog's date of birth.
Whether your cocker spaniel is English or American.
Microchip number.
Your postcode.
Your dog's medical history, including any conditions they've had before.
Whether your dog is neutered.
Where you got your dog (such as a breeder or rescue centre).
What you paid for your dog or their estimated value.
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If your cocker spaniel has ear, eye or joint problems before your cover starts, we won't be able to cover those specific conditions. So, if your dog was diagnosed with hip dysplasia before you took out insurance, we can't cover treatment for this or any related issues.
This is why getting cover early helps - ideally when your cocker spaniel is still a puppy, before any hereditary conditions develop. The earlier you start, the less likely future claims will be affected by pre-existing condition exclusions.
Absolutely. Cocker spaniels are excellent family dogs known for their gentle, affectionate nature. They typically get along well with children and can adapt to various living situations, from flats to houses with gardens. Their playful personality and moderate size make them manageable for families. However, they do require regular exercise, mental stimulation, and don't do well when left alone for long periods.
Yes, there are two main types: English cocker spaniels and American Cocker Spaniels. English Cockers are slightly larger with longer muzzles and were bred primarily as working gun dogs. American cockers are smaller, have shorter muzzles, and more profuse coats. Both varieties can experience similar health issues, though prevalence may vary. When getting a quote for cocker spaniel dog insurance, you'll need to specify which type you have.
Cocker spaniels can be suitable for first-time owners who are prepared to commit to their grooming needs, exercise requirements, and training. They're eager to please and respond well to positive reinforcement, making training relatively straightforward. However, their grooming demands are considerable-daily brushing is essential, and professional grooming every 6-8 weeks is recommended. Positive socialisation can help your cocker spaniel build confidence around people, other animals and new environments.
The ideal time to insure your cocker spaniel is as soon as you bring them home, whether they're a puppy or an adult dog. Puppies can typically be insured from 8 weeks old. Insuring early ensures that any conditions that develop later in life won't be considered pre-existing and will therefore be covered. Waiting until your dog shows signs of illness means those conditions will likely be excluded from cover. Getting cocker spaniel insurance from Policy Expert when your dog is young and healthy provides the most comprehensive protection for their lifetime. Contact our dedicated pet insurance team on 0330 0600 627 for more information.
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