Pet insurer sees policy demand jump 26% after renters get stronger rights to keep pets

UK pet insurance brand Waggel has reported a 26% increase in new pet insurance policies since the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 came into effect.

The act, which came into play in May 2026, enforces the statutory right for tenants to request permission to keep a pet in their rented home.

Landlords are obliged to consider requests fairly and property owners can no longer have a blanket ‘no pets’ policy. 

The uplift in new policies at Waggel sits in comparison to the number of pet insurance policies when the bill was initially granted royal assent on 27 October 2025. 

Hannah Simpson, chief product officer at Waggel, said: “It’s great to see the new legislation allowing so many people to welcome pets into their homes.

“Animal companionship can be incredibly rewarding and has been proven to be beneficial for people’s mental and physical wellbeing, so denying people this lifeline because they don’t own their own home was terribly unfair.”

Influx

Waggel also observed an additional 20,000 customers seek quotes in May in comparison to April this year.  

The insurer revealed a 28% increase in new dog policies in May – compared to a 17% increase in cats.

Simpson added: “It’s clear from this flurry of new pet owners that thousands of people have been counting down until the new bill came in last month.

”We wish these new owners and their companions a long and happy life together.”