Find out how to keep your pet healthy and happy
Helping to find your furry friend
Getting your pet microchipped is a safe and simple procedure that can help get your four-legged friend back if they’re ever lost or stolen.
doesn’t cover the cost of microchipping – but it’s still a worthwhile precaution for any pet parent. And if your pet does go missing, we can always help out in other ways.
What is microchipping?
A microchip is a tiny implant, around the size of a grain of rice, which is injected under your pet’s skin to help identify them if they’re ever lost or stolen.
Each chip has a unique code, which links through to a file on a database – this file contains your contact details and important information about your pet.
If your lost pet is found and handed in to a vet or rescue centre, they can scan the microchip to find your details.
The rules around microchipping
All dogs over eight weeks old in the UK are required by law to be microchipped. If you don’t microchip your dog by the time it’s eight weeks old, you could face a fine of up to £500.
As well as getting your dog microchipped, it’s also a legal requirement to register the microchip number and your details on a government-approved database.
Where can you get your pet microchipped?
A number of pet health professionals and organisations can microchip your pet, including:
- Your local vet
- Animal wardens
- Local councils
- Pet shops
- Welfare centres and charities
How much does microchipping cost?
The cost of getting your pet microchipped can vary – but you’ll typically pay between £10 and £30.
Some animal charities and organisations will even microchip your pet for free, including:
- Battersea Dogs & Cats Home
- Blue Cross
- Dogs Trust
How is a microchip fitted?
Getting a microchip fitted should be quick and pain-free for your pet. The chip is placed underneath your pet’s skin, usually on the back of its neck just behind their shoulder blade.
Once the microchip is fitted, it shouldn’t ever move or bother your pet at all.
What details are included on a microchip?
Each microchip links through to a government-approved database, which contains important and useful information about you and your pet. This could include:
- Your name
- Home address
- Telephone number
- Emergency contact number
- Your vet's contact details
- Information about your pet’s health, for example, allergies, dietary requirements and behavioural traits
It’s you that’s responsible for keeping your pet’s microchip information up to date. So if you ever make any changes, for example moving home or changing your telephone number, it’s important to update your details.
Your and microchipping
Although our doesn’t cover the cost of microchipping, we can still help protect your pet.
It’s important for insurance purposes that your pet is microchipped, as there are certain circumstances where we won’t pay out if it’s not.
collapsed Finding your lost or stolen pet
If your pet has gone missing, we’ll reimburse you for any advertising expenses or rewards you’ve paid for to try and find them. The amount we’ll pay depends on your policy.
If you’re unable to find your pet at all, we’ll reimburse the price you paid for them – up to the limit set out in your certificate of insurance.
If it’s your dog goes missing and isn’t microchipped in accordance under the legal requirement we won’t pay out on your
collapsed Quarantine and travel document costs
If you’re on holiday and your pet’s microchip has failed, meaning they can’t return to the UK or must be quarantined on return to the UK, we’re here to help.
We’ll help cover the costs up to the policy limits of:
- Keeping your pet in quarantine
- Getting duplicate travel documents
- Temporary accommodation while you’re getting the travel documents
- Travelling home if getting the travel documents makes you miss your scheduled return travel
We will not cover the above costs if your pet’s microchip:
- Doesn’t meet ISO 11784 or ISO 11785 standards
- Wasn’t checked or functioning properly before you departed on your trip
Helpful pet guides
Our handy guides can help keep your pet safe and help find them if they ever go missing.
Ready to protect your pet?
If you’d like to get a quote for your , you can get started right away. If you’re ready, we’re ready.
Find out moreNeed to talk to us?
Call 0344 543 1032
We’re here Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm and Saturday, 9am-1pm. Calls are charged at local rates from landlines and mobiles and may be monitored and recorded.
collapsed Terms and conditions
Important information
Sainsbury's B@nk plc, Registered Office, 33 Holborn, London EC1N 2HT (registered in England and Wales, no. 3279730) is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (register no. 184514). Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd is an appointed representative of Sainsbury's B@nk plc.
Sainsbury's B@nk plc acts as an introducer to Pinnacle Insurance plc who is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (register number 110866). Registered Office: Pinnacle House, A1 Barnet Way, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, WD6 2XX. Sainsbury’s B@nk plc and Pinnacle Insurance plc are not part of the same corporate group.