Pet Insurance: I’ve been treating pets in veterinary clinics for almost 40 years and I’m a strong advocate for finding the best pet insurance. There is no national pet health insurance and if your pet has an accident or becomes seriously ill, you will need a significant amount of money to pay veterinary bills, so it’s a good idea to take out pet insurance early in your pet’s life.
We recommend setting a relatively small monthly premium to cover the cost of pet insurance so that if you need to visit the vet, you and your vet can focus on doing what’s best for your pet, knowing that your pet insurance company will cover the costs. Find the best pet insurance can be complicate, but at the bottom of this article, we look at the top 15 police and explain how to choose the best one for you. If you’re in a hurry, take a quick look at my top 5:
How much does pet insurance cost?
The price of pet insurance depends on several complex factors, which are explaine in the Frequently Ask Questions section at the bottom of this article. However, for most people’s needs, 25 to 40 pounds per month for dogs and 15 to 25 pounds for cats is enough to purchase comprehensive coverage for your pet.
How to choose the right insurance policy for you
There are no shortcuts: take an hour to get quotes from three or four insurance companies. You will need to enter your pet’s details and make selections about different aspects of the cover. You will then receive individual quotes. At the end of this process, you will have access to three or four quotes and can decide which company to sign up with. This is a major caveat, but there is no “bad” insurance policy as long as you understand the policy you are purchasing. The following companies are the most popular Pet Insurance companies in the UK. We have ranked them based on their pros and cons. (If you are new to pet ownership, read our guide to the best dog and cat food).
Best pet insurance
Founded in Sweden in 1890, we’re the world’s oldest pet insurance company, and since launching in the UK in 2009. We’ve been one of the UK’s favorite pet insurers. We’re committed to listening to those in the pet care community, and it means a lot that we’re trusted and recommended by more than 40,000 veterinarians, animal welfare organizations, and breeders.
One example of how Agraria helps is that newly adopted dogs and cats from rescue centers partnered with Agraria receive five weeks of free insurance. Agraria only offers lifetime pet insurance (the smartest option for most people), but beyond that. You can fine-tune your policy to meet your individual needs.
All policyholders have free 24/7 access to a pet health helpline where they can reach a qualified veterinary nurse. Agria offers insurance for cats, dogs, rabbits, and horses.
Pet Plan
plan has been a leader in the UK pet insurance market for over 40 years and has a strong reputation and track record of charitable work, working with over 1,200 charities across the UK.
Petplan is the pet insurance company of choice for many people because it pays out 90% of claims within 5 days, as well as having a long payout period. The policy has no lifetime or ‘condition’ limits, and claims can be easily made through the Petplan app on iOS and Android. Dogs, cats, rabbits, horses, and exotic animals can be insured. The insurance is underwritten by Allianz.
The Kennel Club
The Kennel Club runs the UK’s leading pedigree dog registry and offers popular pet insurance based on their long experience with dogs. They also offer a special type of pet insurance for dog breeders. The Kennel Club only offers lifetime cover, which means it covers illnesses that continue throughout your dog’s life. The best policies include up to £15,000 of vet expenses cover that renews annually.
If you buy a Lifetime Plus policy. You’ll get a £25 voucher as a bonus that you can use towards your dog’s annual health check or vaccinations. This insurance is underwrite by Agria.
Marks and Spencer Pet Insurance
M&S Bank offers a 15% discount when you buy this pet insurance online. And new customers who sign up for a lifetime policy will receive a £50 M&S voucher to spend in-store. There are four levels of cover to choose from – Basic, Standard, Plus, and Premier – depending on your needs and budget. And depending on the policy, you’ll get a range of options, including routine dental care, euthanasia benefits. And vet fees when traveling abroad with your pet.
The policy includes access to Vetfone. A free 24-hour helpline if your pet has a health issue. And benefits range from information on local pet care providers to assistance if your pet is lost. The insurance is underwrite by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good pet insurance provider?
There are so many types of pet insurance that it can be hard to differentiate between them. While comparing premiums and benefits is important, there are five other aspects you shouldn’t overlook. First, ease of filing a claim:
How will you be reimburse for vet expenses?
Second, reimbursement speed: Some companies process and reimburse claims within days, while others can take months. Third, the claim denial rate: Some companies will deny claims based on minor details like late vaccination dates. While others are more lenient. The concept of insurance originate in Sweden in 1924 and is so ingraine in Swedish culture that more than 90% of dogs and cats are insure.
In the UK, insurance was introduced in 1947. And initially consisted of a ‘life insurance’ type product for high-value animals. The concept of animal insurance only took off in 1976. And market penetration has grown steadily and slowly from less than 5%.
