A year after I adopted my cat Cinnamon from SPCA, an eye specialist told me we would need to carry out an enucleation—that’s a fancy word for “eye removal”. As the eye was blind and a cancer risk, we needed to remove her left eye and ship the entire eyeball over to the United States for a comprehensive biopsy.
As you can expect, costs for such a procedure were substantial. I paid somewhere north of $2,000 for everything, and looking at others’ veterinary costs hit 5-figure sums, I count myself lucky.
It got me thinking: would pet insurance have helped?
If you’re a pet owner in Singapore, chances are you’ve wondered the same. Pet insurance in Singapore is becoming more popular as vet bills climb for both routine and emergency care. From unexpected surgeries to ongoing treatments for accidents or illness, even the healthiest pets can rack up significant costs. In this guide, we’ll give you an overview of the best pet insurance plans in Singapore and help you decide if getting insured is really worth it for your furry family member.
(P.S. And in case you’re wondering: Cinny’s eye was cancer-free and she’s now living her best pirate life.)
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1. Best pet insurance plans in Singapore (2026): Full comparison
Before we review each pet insurance policy in depth, here's a summary of key benefits and premiums.
Best pet insurance plans in Singapore (2026) | ||||||
Insurer | Price (5-year-old cat/dog) | Medical expenses | Death | Final expenses | Third party liability | Theft (dogs only) |
CIMB My Paw Pal | $103.55 | Up to $1,500 per year (due to accident) | $1,500 per year | Up to $300 (Cremation or burial expenses due to accident) | Up to $250,000 | Up to $1,500 (only with add-on cover) |
Income Happy Tails | Dog: $596.38-$974.09 | – Clinical and surgical benefit: $6,000-$22,000 per year | NA | $750-$2,500 | $250,000-$1,000,000 | NA |
Liberty PetCare | $392.40 – $1,471.50 | – Accidental Injury: $700-$7,000 | $1,000-$8,000 | $200-$600 | $100,000-$500,000 | $300-$3,000 |
MSIG PawEasy | Dog: $604.26-$996.04 | – Hospitalisation and surgery: $5,000 – $20,000 | NA | $200-$400 | $100,000-$500,000 (optional cover) | NA |
Shopee | Dog: $229.72 -$329.77 | – Hospitalisation and surgery: $1,500 – $3,500 | NA | $200-$400 | $150,000 (optional cover) | NA |
Tiq | Dog: $355.20–$782.01 | – Surgical: $2,000-$15,000 | NA | $250-$500 (NA for lowest tier) | $100,000-$500,000 (NA for lowest tier) | NA |
Overview of costs
Looking at the numbers, pet insurance costs in Singapore vary widely—basic plans for cats start as low as $91.99 (Shopee), while comprehensive dog coverage can reach over $1,400 (Liberty Pawsh). Generally, accident-only plans are the most affordable, but if you want meaningful illness or surgical cover, expect to pay upwards of $350 for cats and $600 for dogs.
Overview of coverage
When it comes to coverage, all plans include at least some protection for medical expenses, but only a few—like Income Happy Tails and Liberty PetCare—offer high annual or lifetime limits for surgical and chemotherapy treatment. Features like pet mobility aid (MSIG), complementary therapy (MSIG, Shopee), pet boarding (MSIG), and wellness care (Liberty, $100–$200 annual limit for the top 3 tiers) are unique extras that add flexibility if your pet needs special or preventive care.
Funeral expense cover is provided by most plans. Liberty, Tiq, and MSIG offer the most competitive payouts—though Income Happy Tails is still the most generous in this category at its highest tier. Death and theft benefits are rare, only available with CIMB and Liberty at higher tiers. Third party liability is included or available as an add-on for most insurers.
Looking to get your fur kid protected? Check out our other pet insurance reviews and guides. |
2. What does pet insurance cover?
Pet insurance in Singapore typically covers the costs of unexpected veterinary care if your pet is injured or falls ill. While coverage varies by insurer, most policies include:
- Medical and surgical expenses:
- Accidents
- Illnesses
- Hospitalisation and surgery
- Diagnostic tests and medication
- Outpatient treatment:
- Follow-up visits
- Alternative therapies
- Post-surgery rehabilitation (in some plans)
- Final expenses: End-of-life expenses, including euthanasia, cremation and burial costs
- Additional benefits (may vary):
- Third-party liability: Covers costs if your pet injures someone or damages property
- Theft or accidental death: Some policies compensate if your pet is stolen or passes away in an accident
- Others: pet boarding, pet mobility aid, complementary therapy, wellness
Always read the policy wording to check what is and isn’t covered, as benefits and limits can differ widely between insurers. For example, chemotherapy is available as an optional add-on with MSIG’s PawEasy policy ($3,000 or $6,000 lifetime limit), while Happy Tails Pet Insurance covers chemotherapy in all their plans with no add-on required ($2,500 to $5,000 per year).
ALSO READ: How Does Pet Insurance Work in Singapore? 10 Frequently Asked Questions
3. What is not covered by pet insurance?
While pet insurance can help with many unexpected vet bills, there are important exclusions you should be aware of. Most policies in Singapore do not cover:
- Pre-existing conditions: Any illness or injury your pet had before your policy started.
- Routine care: Vaccinations, annual check-ups, dental cleaning, flea/tick prevention, and grooming.
- Liberty PetCare does offer a Wellness Care benefit that covers vaccinations, teeth cleaning and spaying/neutering, but this is limited to up to $100-$200 annually.
- Elective or cosmetic procedures: Sterilisation, microchipping, ear cropping, and the like. (Procedures like debarking a dog and declawing a cat are also considered cosmetic procedures, but PSA: please for the love of animals do not subject your pet to such inhumane practices.)
- Pregnancy and breeding-related costs: Expenses from pregnancy, birth, or breeding activities.
- Behavioural treatment: Training, therapy for aggression, or anxiety-related issues.
- Certain hereditary or congenital conditions: Some plans exclude specific genetic diseases, especially in high-risk breeds.
- On the flipside, some plans extend coverage to certain conditions if your pet is young and/or gets a clinical examination from a vet. Income’s Happy Tails Pet Insurance and Tiq’s pet insurance offer complimentary coverage for conditions like glaucoma, hip and elbow dysplasia, and luxating patella.
- Age limits: Pets older than the maximum age at enrolment are usually not covered for new policies. For many insurers, this cutoff age is 9 years old.
4. Which pets can be insured in Singapore?
Most pet insurance providers in Singapore focus on covering dogs and cats only—hamsters, rabbits, guinea pigs and the like are excluded. The eligibility criteria typically include:
Pet insurance eligibility criteria | ||||
Insurer | Eligible age | Microchipped & licensed | Vaccinations & health | Excluded dog breeds |
CIMB My Paw Pal | 12 weeks–7 years | Yes | Completed all required vaccinations | Breeds/cross-breeds ineligible for policy: Bull Terrier, Doberman Pinscher, Rottweiler, German Shepherd Dog and its related breeds, Mastiffs, Can Corso, Dogue De Bordeaux |
Income Happy Tails | 16 weeks–below 9 years | Yes | Completed all required vaccinations; pass clinical exam before/within 30 days of policy start | – |
Liberty PetCare | 8 weeks–below 9 years | Yes | Completed all required vaccinations | Maximum third party liability reduced to $100,000 for these breeds/crosses: Pit Bull, Akita, Neapolitan Mastiff, Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Boerboel, Perro De Presa Canario, Bull Terrier, Doberman Pinscher, Rottweiler, German Shepherd Dog with its related breeds, Mastiffs and related breeds |
MSIG PawEasy | 16 weeks–9 years | Yes | Completed core vaccinations; in good health, free from disabilities, defects, disease, infirmities | – |
Shopee | 16 weeks–9 years | Yes | Completed all core vaccinations; healthy and free from disabilities, defects, or illnesses | – |
Tiq | 8 weeks–below 9 years | Yes | Completed required vaccinations; in good health | – |
Most insurers consider your pet eligible for a new policy if they are aged a minimum of 8 to 16 weeks old and up to a maximum of 7 or 9 years old. If your pet has an existing policy and turns older than the policy’s upper age limit, policy renewal is up to the discretion of the insurer.
All policies also require that your pet is licensed, microchipped, vaccinated, and not a working pet. Your furry friend should only be a house pet and should not be used for breeding, racing, guiding, law enforcement, or any commercial use.
5. How much does pet insurance cost in Singapore?
Pet insurance premiums in Singapore vary widely depending on your pet’s species, age, and the level of coverage you choose.
- For dogs, you can expect to pay anywhere from around $230 a year for basic accident-only plans, up to over $1,400 for the most comprehensive options.
- Cat insurance is generally more affordable, with annual premiums starting below $100 for basic coverage and reaching around $650 for higher-tier plans.
Add-ons such as outpatient coverage, chemotherapy, or lower deductibles can increase your total premium. Remember, actual prices also depend on your pet’s breed and health, and some insurers offer multi-pet or no-claim discounts of up to 20%. Always compare what each plan includes—not just the price—so you get the right balance of cost and coverage for your needs.
6. Is pet insurance worth it in Singapore?
Pet insurance can be worth it if you want peace of mind against high, unexpected vet bills. Treatments for accidents or serious illnesses can cost thousands, and insurance helps soften that financial blow. For young or active pets, or if you’d struggle with a big lump-sum expense, a mid- or high-tier plan may make sense.
However, not all pets need insurance. If your pet is older, already has pre-existing conditions, or you’re prepared to self-insure with savings, the benefits may be less compelling. Most policies have exclusions, co-insurance, deductibles, and annual or lifetime limits—so you’ll still pay out of pocket for some care. Even with insurance to cushion the financial blow, I advise pet owners to always set aside savings for vet bills.
It’s important to evaluate not just the premium, but also how much you could pay in co-insurance and deductibles versus the benefits guaranteed at each policy plan tier. Sometimes, a cheaper plan with lower limits or higher out-of-pocket costs may offer less real value than a more comprehensive option.
At the end of the day, pet insurance is a practical tool for managing risk, but it’s not a must-have for everyone. Compare coverage details closely and read the fine print before you sign up.
This article was first drafted with the help of AI and later reviewed and refined by the author.
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