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10 Best Pet Insurance Providers in the UK – 2024 Reviews

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By Nicole Cosgrove

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Preparing for a new pet is exciting. You’ve bought all the toys, the bed, and the food, but then comes the not-so-fun task of figuring out what pet insurance you’ll choose. Finding the right one can be confusing and pretty overwhelming. There are so many options and hidden charges, and every company promises they’re the best, so who do you believe?

Well, we’re here to help. We’ve gone through some of the biggest names offering pet insurance, so you don’t have to, and hopefully, you’ll feel less alone as we go through the options together!

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A Quick Glance at Our Favorites of 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Waggel Pet Insurance Waggel Pet Insurance
  • Excellent coverage
  • 24/7 vet access
  • Good customer service
  • Second place
    Many Pets Many Pets
  • No hidden fees
  • Can track claims online
  • Discounts available
  • Third place
    Tesco Bank Tesco Bank
  • Good coverage
  • Informative website
  • Discounts for Clubcard members
  • John Lewis John Lewis
  • Excellent cover and benefits
  • 24/7 Vetfone support
  • Good travel support
  • Agria Agria
  • Good cover
  • 24/7 Pet Health Helpline
  • Covers dogs, cats, and rabbits
  • The 10 Best Pet Insurance Providers in the UK

    1. Waggel Pet Insurance – Best Overall

    Waggel Pet Insurance

    Waggel offers comprehensive lifetime insurance that includes £10,000 cover for vet fees, £1000 cover for dental treatment, £1000 for loss or theft, and £2,000 for third-party liability. Cover starts when your pet is 8 weeks old, and there is no maximum age.

    They offer free video calls 24/7 and free consultations with a nutrition specialist and dog behaviorist. Their website is incredibly user-friendly and informal, and for any issues you might have, there’s a chat box for support.

    They don’t currently cover pre-existing conditions, but it’s something they’re looking to change. They also don’t pay for cremation, and there isn’t much difference between the levels of policies, except for the vet fee coverage.

    Pros
    • Excellent coverage
    • 24/7 vet access
    • Access to a nutrition specialist and behaviorist
    • Good customer service
    • Discounts available
    Cons
    • Doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions
    • Not a huge difference between policies

    2. Many Pets

    Many Pets

    Many Pets, previously called Bought By Many, is a relatively new entrant into the pet insurance world, but it’s already built up a great reputation for customer service and offers. It has some of the most comprehensive policies on the market, has a reasonable excess, and no fees or charges are hidden in the fine print.

    The policy offers coverage of up to £15,000 each year, which is the highest of any pet insurance policy. This amount means you won’t be worrying about how to pay if the worst happens. Even if you can’t stretch for the Complete cover, the Regular and Value policies are also strong.

    You have access to a registered vet 24/7 with no effect on your premium and no extra charge. The coverage starts when the cat or dog is 4 weeks old, and there is no maximum age for when you can change to this insurance.

    Many Pets doesn’t cover a pre-existing condition or routine spay or neutering unless recommended by a vet. They also don’t pay out for your pet’s death if they are over the age of 9 and die from an illness. Over the age of 9, you also have to pay 20% towards each claim.

    Pros
    • Excellent coverage
    • 24/7 vet access
    • No hidden fees
    • Can track claims online
    • Discounts available
    Cons
    • Doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions
    • Age restrictions increase the cost

    3. Tesco Bank

    Tesco Bank

    Tesco Pet Insurance starts when the pet is 8 weeks old and has no maximum age restriction. As a Clubcard member, you are also guaranteed a discount. The Premier cover will cover you for vet fees up to £10,000.

    Without having to go through the process of “Retrieving a Quote,” the website lays out exactly what each of its four levels of cover includes, which will help you decide what works best for you and your pet.

    Tesco Bank isn’t as easy to contact as Many Pets and Waggel. Their opening times are stated as Monday-Friday: 8 am-6 pm, and Saturdays: 9 am-1 pm, which means they rate slightly lower on customer service. They don’t cover pre-existing conditions, but they go into detail about what this means, so you’re not in any doubt about whether or not you’d be covered.

    Tesco Bank won’t pay out for the death of a pet over the age of 9 if they’ve died from an illness. There is also a £200 excess if you choose a vet outside the Tesco Bank network (unless it was an emergency), which limits your options.

    Pros
    • Good coverage
    • Informative website
    • Discounts for Clubcard members
    Cons
    • Poorer availability
    • Doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions
    • Limited vet options

    4. John Lewis

    John Lewis

    John Lewis’ Premier policy covers vet fees of up to £12,000 a year, and even the Plus policy covers £7,500. John Lewis also provides additional benefits like behavioral treatment, treatment for food, complementary treatment like physiotherapy, and accidental damage to other people’s property.

    There is also 24/7 support from fully trained Vetfone nurses, and their policies for travel are excellent. The Premier and Plus both offer 180 days of coverage for overseas travel every year and £3,000 of holiday cancellation coverage if your pet becomes unwell and you have to cancel. The plans also provide £12,000 of coverage for medical treatment while overseas.

    John Lewis doesn’t cover routine treatment for pre-existing medical conditions or changes to your pet’s health or behavior in the first 14 days of the policy. If your pet has been sick, your price next year can double.

    Pros
    • Excellent cover and benefits
    • 24/7 Vetfone support
    • Good travel support
    Cons
    • Price could double
    • Doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions

    5. Agria

    Agria

    Agria has lifetime coverage in the event your pet develops an ongoing condition, and they cover dogs, cats, and rabbits. Depending on your policy, Agria will cover vet fees from £6,500 to £12,500, which will renew each year for your pet’s life.

    The coverage starts from 8 weeks old, and you will need to contact Agria to find out if there are any limitations on your pet, as it varies based on the type and breed. There is also access to a 24/7 Pet Health Helpline.

    With Agria, you can’t submit your claim online. Instead, you’ll need to visit your vet, which is slightly less convenient than some other options available. Agria is quite expensive compared to other pet insurance providers, and there is also a compulsory 20% co-payment for older pets.

    Pros
    • Good cover
    • 24/7 Pet Health Helpline
    • Covers dogs, cats, and rabbits
    Cons
    • Not all online
    • Expensive
    • Doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions
    • Age restrictions increase the cost

    6. PetPlan

    Petplan

    If you already have a pet, you’ve probably heard of PetPlan. It’s one of the top insurers that vets recommend, and they’ve teamed up with Supervet Noel Fitzpatrick. PetPlan covers dogs, cats, and rabbits and has been in business for 40 years.

    PetPlan offers only two plans, which some might find restrictive: 12 months coverage and Cover For Life. The latter covers illness and injuries yearly, and you can file a claim for a condition when your pet needs treatment. PetPlan covers from £4,000 to £12,000 in vet fees each year, and the 12-month cover will take care of fees up to £3,000. They have a good reputation for not penalizing people for claiming and paying out quickly.

    PetPlan also doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, and there is a 20% co-payment when the pet reaches a certain age.

    Pros
    • Vet recommended
    • No penalty for claiming
    • Pays out quickly
    Cons
    • Only two plans
    • Doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions
    • Age restrictions raise the cost

    7. Argos Pet Insurance

    Argos Pet Insurance

    Argos Pet Insurance has a range of lifetime policies with reasonably high levels of coverage, and they will cover vet bills from £2,500 to £7,000. They are underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance (RSA), and there have been some renewal hikes for RSA policies, including Argos.

    In terms of Argos’s policies, there is the Lifetime, Time Limited, and Maximum Benefit. You can claim, for example, on the same condition with the Maximum Benefit Policy until you reach your limit. Then, the condition will no longer be covered under the policy. Therefore, this policy seems like it would be unsuitable for pets with chronic illnesses.

    Argos offers 24/7 access to a Vet Assistance helpline that provides you with vet nurses over the phone or online. Unlike some providers, Argos has a convenient online portal.

    Pros
    • Lifetime policies
    • Accessed online
    • Vet assistant helpline
    Cons
    • Recent price hikes
    • Not suitable for all pets

    8. The Insurance Emporium

    The Insurance Emporium

    With the Insurance Emporium, coverage starts when your dog or cat is 5 weeks old. There is no maximum age restriction, and the maximum payout is £8,000 for vet fees. There are multiple policies to choose from, and you’re likely to find a plan that’s ideal for your pet..

    The Insurance Emporium even offers insurance for senior pets, which is sometimes tricky to obtain without paying a bundle. The company also provides a 20% introductory discount.

    However, The Insurance Emporium does not have an online portal to file claims, and there is a compulsory co-payment on any lifetime pet insurance policy, which means you have to pay a percentage of vet fees in addition to the excess. They also don’t pay out for death or euthanasia if your pet is over 8 years old and dies from illness or injury.

    Pros
    • Multiple policies offered
    • Policy for senior pets
    • Discounts
    Cons
    • No online portal
    • Age restrictions raise the cost
    • Doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions

    9. Healthy Pets Pet Insurance

    Healthy Pets Pet Insurance

    Healthy Pets has lifetime coverage that covers your pet from 5 weeks to 10 years and has a 20% introductory discount. There’s a range of coverage (six levels) to suit different budgets and pet needs, but some policies may not allow you to claim on the same condition when the policy has been renewed.

    You can contact the company online or by email, but Healthy Pets doesn’t cover pre-existing medical conditions, and any illness that occurs within the first 10 days of the policy is not covered.

    When your pet turns 5 years old, you need to contribute an additional 15% to any claim you make, in addition to your standard excess. When they turn 6, this increases to 20%.

    Pros
    • Range of covers
    • Introductory discount
    • Available online
    Cons
    • Not suitable for all needs
    • Age restrictions increase the cost
    • Doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions
    • Policy wording isn’t very clear

    10. Direct Line

    Direct Line

    Direct Line offers policies from 8 weeks to 10 years old with maximum coverage of £8,000 for vet bills. Some policies may not let you claim on the same condition once the policy renews, so watch out for this. There is, however, no lifetime coverage option.

    Essential Cover covers a condition for 12 months from the first date of treatment, and Advanced Cover has no time limits. Direct Line offers 12 months for the price of 9 if you buy online, and the coverage for your pet can include extras to customize your policy. Some extras would be considered basics with other pet insurance providers, and you may pay less for the same coverage with another provider.

    There is no coverage for euthanasia with the Essential policy, and Direct Line also doesn’t pay for death due to illness if your pet is over 11 years old.

    Pros
    • Discount if you buy online
    • Good level of coverage
    • Access to a vet
    • No co-payment as your pet ages
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Doesn’t cover euthanasia
    • Age restrictions raise the price
    • Doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions

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    Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Right Pet Insurance Providers in the UK

    What to Look For in Pet Insurance

    When it comes to pet insurance, you might think that what you need is simple: you need someone to pay out if your animal is sick or is involved in an accident. While that seems uncomplicated, the companies’ stipulations make the buying process more complex.

    Policy Coverage

    The first thing to look out for is how easy it is to get a free quote. Most insurers have this option on their website. This will tell you if a company has the type of coverage you need. It will also show you how user-friendly their website is.

    Pet insurance won’t cover the day-to-day costs, like getting vaccinations or having your dog neutered, but a good policy will cover the expenses that you may not anticipate or don’t want to think about happening, like a chronic illness or an accident.

    You should check for policies that cover your liability; they will protect you if your pet hurts someone or damages property. Also, many policies will cover you if your pet is lost or stolen.

    Ultimately, you don’t want to be punished for using your insurance, and you don’t want it to be complicated. Insurers offering an online service and access to vets and nurses are a plus because they’re convenient and offer support when you are stressed.

    What Are the Different Types of Pet Insurance?

    There are generally five different types of pet insurance.

    Accident Only

    Accident Only is the most basic pet insurance coverage that covers you if your animal is involved in an accident. These policies should be clearly labeled as “accident only,” and although they’re the most affordable type, they don’t provide much coverage.

    Third-Party Liability Only

    Third-Party policies don’t pay out if your pet is ill or injured, but they’ll cover legal expenses and compensation if your pet causes an accident, damages property, or hurts someone. Generally, these policies are only available for dogs.

    Time-Limited Policies

    There is typically a 12-month limit on how long the insurer will cover an injury or a new condition. Once the time limit has been reached, you won’t be able to file a claim. These policies are useful for one-off injuries and sicknesses but not for chronic conditions.

    Maximum Benefit Policies

    Please be aware that Maximum Benefit policies sound like comprehensive plans, but they’re not. They have a time limit on them, like time-limited policies, but it’s usually a monetary rather than a time cut-off point.

    Lifetime Policies

    You’ll find two lifetime policies available: those with annual limits for treatment and others that impose annual limits per condition.

    Lifetime policies are the most comprehensive coverage you can buy, but they have their limits on the amount they will pay out annually. When your policy renews each year, the limits also reset. This means you can claim for a condition that was diagnosed after you took out the policy.

    Customer Service & Reputation

    The best tool at your disposal is the internet. Do your research, not only on the insurer’s website but use comparison websites and review sites. Reviews from existing customers are invaluable and will give you an insight into whether or not the promises the companies make on their websites are genuine.

    What Type Of Cover Limit Should You Get?

    Like choosing car insurance, the more you’re willing to pay, the more coverage you’ll get. The most comprehensive policies, like Many Pets, cover up to £15,000 a year. While on the flip side, there are policies that will pay no more than £1,000.

    While £15,000 sounds like a lot, and you’d be right, most people won’t need this amount of coverage. One of the most expensive (and not uncommon in dogs) treatments is cruciate ligament surgery which can reach almost £6,000. Treatments like cancer, for example, can also be costly.

    pet insurance form
    Image Credit: Rawpixel.com, Shutterstock

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    Frequent Asked Questions

    What if My Insurance Company Is Not Listed in Your Review?

    Don’t panic. We haven’t listed every single company that offers pet insurance. We primarily want you to understand what to expect from an insurer. You can see a familiar pattern emerging among the providers when studying the similar pros and cons. None, for example, offer coverage for pre-existing conditions. If you see this with another provider, it won’t be so off-putting because you already know it’s not something typically offered.

    How Do Excesses Work?

    When your pet is young, you normally have a compulsory excess you’ll have to pay and a voluntary excess to keep the premium low. Often, this is on a per-condition basis, meaning if you make multiple claims for the same condition, your excess should only be deducted once.

    With some insurers, this might change as your pet ages, and they will impose a co-payment excess. An example of this can be seen in Healthy Pets Pet Insurance. It can feel like you’re being punished for your pet aging because this will happen even if you’ve never filed a claim against the pet before. From an insurer’s perspective, older pets are more likely to get sick.

    What Does Pet Insurance Cost?

    The amount of money you will spend depends on the animal you’re insuring, their medical history, age, and the type of coverage you choose. Rest assured, whatever you pay is a lesser amount compared to what you could be charged in vet bills if your pet is ill or seriously injured.

    Of course, you want the best coverage for your pet, but choose what you can comfortably afford. Remember, sometimes you are expected to cover the vet bill, and the insurance company will then pay you back. This is something to discuss with your vet because most insurance companies will pay you or your vet directly.

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    What the Users Say

    • Waggel: “Overall, Waggel offers a good level of cover for your pet…” (Money to the Masses)
    • Waggel: “Amazing, I have claimed nearly £5000 in surgery and vets costs. Everything has been paid out, never had a drama.” (Trustpilot)
    • Many Pets: “Many Pets is good value for money as it offers extensive cover at a lower cost in comparison to other providers…” (Money to the Masses)
    • Many Pets: “What a great team. All very helpful and knowledgeable and able to ease the effort of entering the claim. claim was paid immediately, once vet had supplied all required information. Would definitely recommend!” (Trustpilot)
    • Tesco Bank: “Overall, Tesco Bank pet insurance offers a good level of cover for a competitive price.” (Money to the Masses)

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    In Conclusion

    The world of pet insurance can be confusing, but hopefully, you now have a better understanding of what you’re looking for. Price, coverage, and ease of access to the company are good starting points. Remember, insurance doesn’t cover the basics, and it’s something to consider when you’re stressed and upset.

    See also:


    Featured Image Credit: Rawpixel.com, Shutterstock

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