Labrador

Love your labrador? We do too. Our pet insurance is built to help protect your pet when health challenges pop up.

Pet insurance for your labrador

Pet insurance provides financial protection against veterinary costs when your dog becomes ill or injured. Labradors are prone to joint conditions such as hip and elbow dysplasia, eye conditions like progressive retinal atrophy, and obesity-related health issues. Policy Expert offers three levels of cover - Bronze, Silver, and Gold - with varying annual vet fee limits shown on your schedule.

Your premium will depend on your dog's age, location, chosen excess, and the level of cover you select.

Pet insurance for your labrador with Policy Expert

When selecting pet insurance, Policy Expert offers several compelling advantages. Here are a few reasons people choose Policy Expert for their pet insurance needs:

Lifetime cover

Policy Expert pet insurance is a lifetime policy, meaning limits refresh each year as long as the policy is renewed without a break.

Clear quote details

Your quote and schedule will show the premium, cover level, annual limit, excess and any co-payment that applies.

Flexible cover options

Choose from Bronze, Silver and Gold cover options, each with different annual vet fee limits and benefits.

Labrador facts

Before diving into insurance specifics, let's look at what makes labradors unique:

Lifespan

10-12 years on average.
Weight

Males typically weigh 29-36kg, whilst females weigh 25-32kg.
Colours

Black, yellow, and chocolate are the three recognised colours.
Temperament

Friendly, outgoing, and active.
Grooming

Moderate shedding requiring weekly brushing, with heavier seasonal shedding twice yearly.
Exercise

Exercise needs vary with age and health. Ask your vet or a qualified professional for advice tailored to your labrador.
Origin

Originally bred in Newfoundland as fishing and retrieval dogs.

Labrador personality and temperament

Labradors are known for their friendly, agreeable temperament. Naturally sociable and eager to please, they make excellent family pets and working dogs alike. Their intelligence and trainability have made them favourites for assistance work, from guide dogs to search and rescue.

Labradors often remain playful into adulthood and enjoy activities that keep them physically and mentally engaged. Positive training and gradual socialisation can help them build confidence around people and other animals. Each dog has its own personality and needs.

Health conditions commonly seen in labradors

Explore some common health conditions labradors may develop throughout their lives, with information to help you understand their potential health needs.

Hip and elbow dysplasia

Joint malformations causing pain and mobility issues - covered when not pre-existing.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)

Inherited eye condition leading to blindness may be covered if eligible and not pre-existing.
Obesity

Labradors love food and easily gain weight, leading to related health problems.
Ear infections

Their floppy ears trap moisture, creating breeding grounds for bacteria - may be covered if eligible, not pre-existing, and subject to policy terms.
Cruciate ligament injuries

Common knee injuries requiring surgical intervention.
Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus):

Life-threatening stomach condition.
Exercise-induced collapse

Genetic condition causing weakness during intense activity.

Do I need pet insurance for labradors?

Pet insurance isn’t legally required in the UK. If your labrador needs veterinary care, you can pay the costs yourself or consider insurance to help with eligible treatment costs. Policies have limits and exclusions, and you may need to pay an excess or co-payment. Check the policy details to understand what would be covered and what you would need to pay.

How much does pet insurance for labradors cost?

The price depends on factors including your labrador’s age, medical history, where you live and the cover you choose. Annual vet fee limits, excesses and any co-payment can also affect the premium.

Pre-existing conditions and some illnesses or injuries close to the policy start date are excluded. Your quote and policy documents will show the price, cover and limits that apply.

Which cover should I get for my labrador?

Policy Expert offers three levels of pet insurance cover: Bronze, Silver and Gold.

Bronze cover

Bronze includes vet fee cover for illnesses and injuries, with a yearly vet fee limit of £2,000 or £4,000, depending on the limit shown on your schedule. It also includes third-party liability for dogs and selected vet fee benefits such as specialist diagnostics and treatment food, subject to the policy limits and exclusions.
Silver cover

Silver includes a higher yearly vet fee limit of £5,000 or £7,500, depending on your schedule. It can also include benefits such as complementary treatment, behavioural treatment, dental care for accidents, emergency boarding or minding, missing pet cover and optional Farewell and Holiday cover.
Gold cover

Gold offers the highest yearly vet fee limit, at £10,000 or £15,000 depending on your schedule. It includes higher limits for some benefits, dental care for accidents and illness, Holiday cover as standard, and optional Farewell cover.
Compare each option’s limits, benefits, exclusions, premium, excess and any co-payment to decide which suits your needs. Your schedule shows the cover you have chosen.

What does pet insurance cover?

Depending on the level you choose, pet insurance can help with eligible veterinary costs if your Labrador becomes ill or injured. Some levels include additional benefits. Cover is subject to the policy terms, exclusions and limits, and any excess or co-payment.

Veterinary fees

When your Labrador is ill or injured, including diagnostic tests, medication, surgery, hospitalisation and nursing care.
Specialist diagnostics

Such as the imaging used to assess hip and elbow dysplasia, up to your cover limit.
Complementary and behavioural treatment

Available on Silver and Gold cover - often used in rehabilitation after cruciate surgery.
Prescription food, up to your cover limit
Dental care

for accidents on Silver, and for accidents and illness on Gold.
Emergency boarding

Silver and Gold may cover emergency boarding or minding if you or a family member has to stay in hospital and no one can look after your pet, subject to limits and exclusions. Silver is up to £600 or £20/day up to £600; Gold is up to £1,200 or £40/day up to £1,200.
Exclusions apply, including pre-existing conditions, routine treatment, illnesses in the first 14 days, injuries in the first 48 hours, and pregnancy, birthing or rearing puppies.

Our pet insurance expert says...

“Labradors are wonderful and affectionate family companions, but sadly they're also prone to joint problems, eye conditions and obesity, meaning veterinary costs can mount up quickly. Getting comprehensive cover early can help protect you financially when facing difficult or ongoing treatment decisions, and give you more time to focus on building a happy and healthy life together.”

Linda Crichton, Chief Service and Operations Officer

What is not covered with labrador dog insurance?

Your pet insurance policy won't cover everything. Here's what's not included:

Pre-existing conditions

Any signs or symptoms of a diagnosed or undiagnosed illness or injury before your policy started (so a hip problem already present at sign-up won't be covered).
Illnesses

You or your vet knew about or suspected within 14 days of your start date, and injuries from accidents within 48 hours of it.
Routine and preventative care

Vaccinations, flea and worm treatments, neutering, regular check-ups and routine dental care.
Pregnancy and breeding

Mating, pregnancy, birth or caring for puppies.
Behavioural treatment on Bronze

Silver and Gold may cover it, up to set limits, with a vet recommendation and an approved professional.
Post-mortem costs, transplant surgery, stem-cell or gene therapy
You'll need to pay your excess and any co-payment when you claim. Make sure you read your policy documents carefully, so you know exactly what's covered and what's not.

What information do I need to get a quote for my labrador?

Getting a quote for your labrador is straightforward - you'll just need a few details about your dog ready before you start:

Your dog's age and date of birth.
Your dog's microchip number.
Your postcode.
Your labrador's colour (black, yellow, or chocolate).
Your Lab’s medical history, including any pre-existing conditions.
Whether your dog has been neutered.
Where you obtained your dog (breeder, rescue centre, etc.).
Your dog's purchase price or estimated value.
Having this information ready will help you get an accurate quote quickly through Policy Expert's online quote system.

Can I get pet insurance if my labrador has a pre-existing condition?

You can insure a labrador with a pre-existing condition, but that condition – for example, hip dysplasia diagnosed before you took out cover – and anything medically linked to it won't be covered. Health issues that first appear during the policy period aren't treated as pre-existing and may continue to be covered if your policy renews. Any new, unrelated conditions that develop after your cover begins may also be covered.

Be honest about your dog's medical history when applying. Failing to disclose pre-existing conditions could result in a rejected claim or your policy being cancelled.

Pet insurance considerations for your labrador

When choosing insurance for your labrador, consider these important points:

Policy annual limits

Each cover level has an annual limit on eligible vet fees. Check your quote and schedule for the limit that applies, alongside the premium, excess and any co-payment.
Ongoing conditions

If an eligible condition needs treatment across more than one policy year, the annual vet fee limit resets when the policy renews. Claims remain subject to the policy terms, exclusions and limits.

Labrador FAQs

Do labradors shed hair?

Yes, labradors shed moderately year-round and heavily during seasonal changes in spring and autumn. Their double coat requires regular brushing, at least weekly, and daily during shedding season to manage loose hair. Despite their short coat, they're not suitable for people with dog hair allergies.

Are labradors good with children?

Labradors are excellent with children. Their patient, gentle nature and high tolerance for noise and activity make them ideal family dogs. They're large and energetic though, so young children should be supervised to prevent accidental knocking over during play. Teaching both your labrador and your children appropriate interaction ensures a harmonious relationship.

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Labrador

Pet insurance for your labrador

Pet insurance for your labrador with Policy Expert

Lifetime cover

Clear quote details

Flexible cover options

Labrador facts

Lifespan

Weight

Colours

Temperament

Grooming

Exercise

Origin

Labrador personality and temperament

Health conditions commonly seen in labradors

Hip and elbow dysplasia

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)

Obesity

Ear infections

Cruciate ligament injuries

Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus):

Exercise-induced collapse

Do I need pet insurance for labradors?

How much does pet insurance for labradors cost?

Which cover should I get for my labrador?

Bronze cover

Silver cover

Gold cover

What does pet insurance cover?

Veterinary fees

Specialist diagnostics

Complementary and behavioural treatment

Prescription food, up to your cover limit

Dental care

Emergency boarding

Our pet insurance expert says...

What is not covered with labrador dog insurance?

Pre-existing conditions

Illnesses

Routine and preventative care

Pregnancy and breeding

Behavioural treatment on Bronze

Post-mortem costs, transplant surgery, stem-cell or gene therapy

What information do I need to get a quote for my labrador?

Can I get pet insurance if my labrador has a pre-existing condition?

Pet insurance considerations for your labrador

Policy annual limits

Ongoing conditions

Labrador FAQs

Do labradors shed hair?

Are labradors good with children?

Explore our most popular dog breeds

Pet insurance for mixed breed

Pet insurance for cocker spaniel

Pet insurance for dachshund