When owning a pet (or thinking of owning a pet), costs are always a factor. Aside from the costs of the pet themselves, their consumables, one-off costs, and monthly upkeep, pet insurance is another cost to consider.

In the UK, 4.3 million pets are insured, with uncountable insurance companies jockeying to be the top dog of policy providers. Higher vet fees and advances in animal medicine mean that good insurance is more important than ever; that’s why we’re taking a deep dive into the world of pet insurance to bring you our top ten best providers in the UK.

A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2023

Image Product Details

Best Overall

Scratch and Patch Pet Insurance

Excellent value

Great coverage

Unique switching policy

Click to Get Quote

Best Value

Petsure

Affordable

No upper age limit

Cover starts at four weeks of age

Click to Get Quote

Tesco Bank

Great coverage for older pets

Phone and video calls included with an expert

Flexible coverage levels

Click to Get Quote

ManyPets

High vet fee coverage (flexible for cats)

Multi-pet discounts

Some coverage for resolved pre-existing conditions

Click to Get Quote

Agria Pet Insurance

Cheap

Most claims paid

Ranked the “most trustworthy pet insurance provider” by UK pet owners

Click to Get Quote

Comparing 10 Pet Insurance Plans for the UK

  1. Scratch and Patch Pet Insurance – Best Overall

Compare Scratch and Patch PlansWith very high ratings on review sites and many different levels of coverage, this insurance provider provides bang for your buck. Scratch and Patch offer a unique switching policy in which a pet owner can switch from another provider to Scratch and Patch and avoid any waiting periods altogether. In addition, all plans taken out provide access to a 24/7 vet care line. Scratch and Patch also offer a 10% multi-pet discount, and 94% of their claims are paid, contributing to their commendation as pet insurance provider of the year and best claims service awards in 2022.

No provider is perfect, however, and Scratch and Patch have a policy in which they only cover the cost of any prescriptions themselves and not the admin fees or administration fees of the medicine.

Compare Scratch and Patch Plans

With very high ratings on review sites and many different levels of coverage, this insurance provider provides bang for your buck. Scratch and Patch offer a unique switching policy in which a pet owner can switch from another provider to Scratch and Patch and avoid any waiting periods altogether. In addition, all plans taken out provide access to a 24/7 vet care line. Scratch and Patch also offer a 10% multi-pet discount, and 94% of their claims are paid, contributing to their commendation as pet insurance provider of the year and best claims service awards in 2022.

Despite this, their amazingly flexible plans and great coverage, even on their accident-only plan, places Scratch and Patch in our top spot for the best overall pet insurance provider in the UK.

Pros

Excellent value

Great coverage

Unique switching policy

24/7 vet care line

Cons

Only cover the cost of medication itself

  1. Petsure – Best Value

Compare Petsure PlansPetsure is a company that holds fairness and good value at the core of its policies. They consider all pets, including older pets and those with pre-existing conditions, and their friendly customer service team is committed to guiding pet owners through claims.

Coverage has tailored levels and starts at four weeks of age (earlier than most providers), with no upper age limits.

Excellent value

Great coverage

Unique switching policy

24/7 vet care line

  • Excellent value
  • Great coverage
  • Unique switching policy
  • 24/7 vet care line

Only cover the cost of medication itself

  • Only cover the cost of medication itself

Compare Petsure Plans

Petsure is a company that holds fairness and good value at the core of its policies. They consider all pets, including older pets and those with pre-existing conditions, and their friendly customer service team is committed to guiding pet owners through claims.

Interestingly, Petsure offers cover for pets with pre-existing conditions if pre-agreed, although this increases the monthly premium. There are customizable coverage levels for vets fees (from £1,000 to £15,000) and optional add-ons for dental, travel, and missing pet cover.

There are some drawbacks to the Petsure insurance, however, as pre-existing conditions aren’t covered if not previously agreed with the provider, and reviews have cited a longer claim processing time and poor communication as the main cons.

Despite this, Petsure offers great coverage at a fair price, putting it second on our list and being our pick for the provider with the best value.

Pros

Affordable

No upper age limit

Cover starts at four weeks of age

Customizable cover

Some cover for pets with pre-existing conditions

Cons

Can take a while to process claims

Communication can sometimes be poor

  1. Tesco Bank

Compare Tesco Bank PlansTesco bank pet insurance is a good option if you’re looking for new cover for an older pet but want to avoid paying excessive rates. Tesco offers affordable coverage for pets over eight years old, but this is still a little more costly than insuring a younger pet.

However, the price is discounted for Clubcard members, and their coverage includes phone and video calls with a veterinary expert 24/7 if you have any concerns.

Affordable

No upper age limit

Cover starts at four weeks of age

Customizable cover

Some cover for pets with pre-existing conditions

  • Affordable
  • No upper age limit
  • Cover starts at four weeks of age
  • Customizable cover
  • Some cover for pets with pre-existing conditions

Can take a while to process claims

Communication can sometimes be poor

  • Can take a while to process claims
  • Communication can sometimes be poor

Compare Tesco Bank Plans

Tesco bank pet insurance is a good option if you’re looking for new cover for an older pet but want to avoid paying excessive rates. Tesco offers affordable coverage for pets over eight years old, but this is still a little more costly than insuring a younger pet.

There are excesses payable on all plans from Tesco, which isn’t the case for every provider on our list. Tesco also doesn’t offer cover for pre-existing conditions, pets younger than eight weeks old, or certain breeds of pets (banned breeds, such as the Pit Bull or “Pit Bull Type”). They also don’t offer cover for pets that have litters more than twice in the pet’s lifetime.

Pros

Great coverage for older pets

Phone and video calls included with an expert

Flexible coverage levels

Discounted for Clubcard members

Cons

Potentially increased fees once your pet reaches eight years old

Excesses are payable

Restrictions on breed and breeding

  1. ManyPets

Compare ManyPets PlansManyPets used to be named BoughtByMany, an insurance provider focusing on customizable cat and dog covers. The coverage for dogs is up to £15,000 for veterinarian fees, but there are options for cats ranging from £3,000 up to £15,000. A generous multi-pet discount of 15% is also offered if you place more than one pet onto the same policy for both cats and dogs.

ManyPets is an outlier in providers because despite only covering cats and dogs (no small furry or exotic animals are covered), they offer to cover pre-existing conditions if they are treated and symptom-free for two years prior to the policy’s start date.

Great coverage for older pets

Phone and video calls included with an expert

Flexible coverage levels

Discounted for Clubcard members

  • Great coverage for older pets
  • Phone and video calls included with an expert
  • Flexible coverage levels
  • Discounted for Clubcard members

Potentially increased fees once your pet reaches eight years old

Excesses are payable

Restrictions on breed and breeding

  • Potentially increased fees once your pet reaches eight years old
  • Excesses are payable
  • Restrictions on breed and breeding

Compare ManyPets Plans

ManyPets used to be named BoughtByMany, an insurance provider focusing on customizable cat and dog covers. The coverage for dogs is up to £15,000 for veterinarian fees, but there are options for cats ranging from £3,000 up to £15,000. A generous multi-pet discount of 15% is also offered if you place more than one pet onto the same policy for both cats and dogs.

Pros

High vet fee coverage (flexible for cats)

Multi-pet discounts

Some coverage for resolved pre-existing conditions

Cons

No exotic pet coverage

  1. Agria Pet Insurance

Compare Agria PlansAgria is a brilliant provider for owners looking for a good deal on their pet’s insurance. Apart from having several options for every budget, they provide good coverage even on the cheapest plans.

The Agria lifetime plan covers fees up to £12,500 (not the highest on our list), but they process and pay 97% of all claims made to them in a timely manner.

High vet fee coverage (flexible for cats)

Multi-pet discounts

Some coverage for resolved pre-existing conditions

  • High vet fee coverage (flexible for cats)
  • Multi-pet discounts
  • Some coverage for resolved pre-existing conditions

No exotic pet coverage

  • No exotic pet coverage

Compare Agria Plans

Agria is a brilliant provider for owners looking for a good deal on their pet’s insurance. Apart from having several options for every budget, they provide good coverage even on the cheapest plans.

This customer service is another thing Agria is known for; Agria was awarded as the “most trustworthy insurance provider” by customer experience ratings in 2021, but there are reviews that note wrong emails being sent out and repeated accidental contacts. They also don’t tend to offer coverage to older pets.

Pros

Cheap

Most claims paid

Ranked the “most trustworthy pet insurance provider” by UK pet owners

Award-winning

Cons

Not good for older pets

Some complaints about emailing lists

  1. Direct Line

Compare Direct Line PlansDirect Line is an umbrella company offering car, business, and home insurance as well as pet insurance. This can come in useful if you want to manage all your policies in one place. Their pet insurance coverage options are limited with only two plan types available, but they are comprehensive and are discounted for multi-pet owners enrolled on the same plan.

The basic plan starts from as little as £7, and both the basic and advanced plans offer 24/7 to an online vet courtesy of PawSquad.

Cheap

Most claims paid

Ranked the “most trustworthy pet insurance provider” by UK pet owners

Award-winning

  • Cheap
  • Most claims paid
  • Ranked the “most trustworthy pet insurance provider” by UK pet owners
  • Award-winning

Not good for older pets

Some complaints about emailing lists

  • Not good for older pets
  • Some complaints about emailing lists

Compare Direct Line Plans

Direct Line is an umbrella company offering car, business, and home insurance as well as pet insurance. This can come in useful if you want to manage all your policies in one place. Their pet insurance coverage options are limited with only two plan types available, but they are comprehensive and are discounted for multi-pet owners enrolled on the same plan.

They also partnered with Pet Drugs Online (an online veterinary pharmacy), which can offer policyholders a variety of benefits, including discounts on medications and food, if new policies are signed on their site.

Pros

Excellent for multi-pet households

Affordable

Discounts and medication coverage when purchased through Pet Drugs Online

PawSquad online vet support

Cons

Limited coverage options

Strictly no coverage for pre-existing conditions

  1. Waggel

Compare Waggel PlansWaggel is a good option for those with young, healthy pets, as their coverage is cheap and comprehensive. Their annual coverage amount is between £1,000 and £10,000, so not as high as some other providers on our list, but they also provide not only access to a vet but also vet consultations 24/7.

Free consultations with professional pet behaviorists and nutritionists are also included under Waggel cover, and each plan taken out donates money to selected charity partners.

Excellent for multi-pet households

Affordable

Discounts and medication coverage when purchased through Pet Drugs Online

PawSquad online vet support

  • Excellent for multi-pet households
  • Affordable
  • Discounts and medication coverage when purchased through Pet Drugs Online
  • PawSquad online vet support

Limited coverage options

Strictly no coverage for pre-existing conditions

  • Limited coverage options
  • Strictly no coverage for pre-existing conditions

Compare Waggel Plans

Waggel is a good option for those with young, healthy pets, as their coverage is cheap and comprehensive. Their annual coverage amount is between £1,000 and £10,000, so not as high as some other providers on our list, but they also provide not only access to a vet but also vet consultations 24/7.

The situation for older pets (eight years plus) is different, however. There are restrictions on older pet coverage, such as death not being covered for animals over eight years old if they die from an illness. Waggel has no coverage for any pre-existing conditions for pets of any age.

Pros

Interactive website and personal dashboard

24/7 access to a vet and video consults

Free consultations with behaviorists and nutritionists

Annual donations to charity partners

Cons

Only suitable for young pets

Doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions

  1. Animal Friends

Compare Animal Friends PlansAnimal friends have the most flexible coverage on the list, with several plans offering options to customize and tweak to fit your pet’s needs. They offer a lifetime policy with unlimited condition limits and annual limits between £3,000 and unlimited, and each level of coverage has different tiers. The lifetime policy, for example, consists of Assure, Assure Plus, Lifetime £10,000, and Lifetime £18,000. The higher tiers offer accidental dental coverage, and each policy offers both 24/7 access to a vet online as well as a charity donation each time a policy is taken out.

Animal Friends doesn’t offer any kind of coverage for pre-existing conditions, however, and while the coverage is comprehensive, it does cover any issues related to spaying or neutering.

Interactive website and personal dashboard

24/7 access to a vet and video consults

Free consultations with behaviorists and nutritionists

Annual donations to charity partners

  • Interactive website and personal dashboard
  • 24/7 access to a vet and video consults
  • Free consultations with behaviorists and nutritionists
  • Annual donations to charity partners

Only suitable for young pets

Doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions

  • Only suitable for young pets
  • Doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions

Compare Animal Friends Plans

Animal friends have the most flexible coverage on the list, with several plans offering options to customize and tweak to fit your pet’s needs. They offer a lifetime policy with unlimited condition limits and annual limits between £3,000 and unlimited, and each level of coverage has different tiers. The lifetime policy, for example, consists of Assure, Assure Plus, Lifetime £10,000, and Lifetime £18,000. The higher tiers offer accidental dental coverage, and each policy offers both 24/7 access to a vet online as well as a charity donation each time a policy is taken out.

Pros

Offers multi-pet policies

Donates to animal welfare charities with each policy taken out

24/7 vet access online

Portal for your pet’s microchip number online

Cons

No pre-existing condition coverage

No coverage linked to spaying or neutering issues

9. M&S Bank

  Compare M&S Bank PlansThe Marks and Spencer Bank pet insurance is a good choice for pet owners who want simple and affordable insurance options for their pets. They offer three policies, each with different levels of cover and benefits to choose from, and each plan offers 24/7 veterinary support via Vetfone. The premier plan is the most comprehensive, offering a £7,000 annual limit with cover for complementary treatments, dental injury and illness, emergency boarding, and even veterinary fees abroad, but this is also their most expensive policy. The M&S essential plan is their most basic and is very affordable, but it’s time-limited with a low £3,000 annual vet fee cover. M&S bank doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions.

Pros

Cheap

Good coverage

Vetfone 24/7 vet helpline

Cons

Low annual maximum fees

Doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions

Dental and gum issues only covered on the two highest tiers

  1. PDSA Pet Insurance

Compare PDSA PlansThe People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) is a charity in the UK that helps the sick and injured pets of owners on low incomes. They offer either time-limited or lifetime plans, each offering different options for coverage. Their time-limited plans offer coverage at £2,000 or £5,000 per illness or accident for 12 months, while their lifetime policy is more comprehensive and ranges from £2,000 to £8,000 in vet fees coverage per year.

The lifetime policy offers cremation and burial coverage as well as boarding fees. However, none of their policies cover pre-existing conditions. A new policy cannot be taken out if your pet is older than eight (ten for cats, five for some dog breeds). Older pets already under a policy will be subject to a 20% copay excess, alongside being disqualified from death due to accident or illness.

Offers multi-pet policies

Donates to animal welfare charities with each policy taken out

24/7 vet access online

Portal for your pet’s microchip number online

  • Offers multi-pet policies
  • Donates to animal welfare charities with each policy taken out
  • 24/7 vet access online
  • Portal for your pet’s microchip number online

No pre-existing condition coverage

No coverage linked to spaying or neutering issues

  • No pre-existing condition coverage
  • No coverage linked to spaying or neutering issues

 

Compare M&S Bank Plans

The Marks and Spencer Bank pet insurance is a good choice for pet owners who want simple and affordable insurance options for their pets. They offer three policies, each with different levels of cover and benefits to choose from, and each plan offers 24/7 veterinary support via Vetfone. The premier plan is the most comprehensive, offering a £7,000 annual limit with cover for complementary treatments, dental injury and illness, emergency boarding, and even veterinary fees abroad, but this is also their most expensive policy. The M&S essential plan is their most basic and is very affordable, but it’s time-limited with a low £3,000 annual vet fee cover. M&S bank doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions.

Cheap

Good coverage

Vetfone 24/7 vet helpline

  • Cheap
  • Good coverage
  • Vetfone 24/7 vet helpline

Low annual maximum fees

Doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions

Dental and gum issues only covered on the two highest tiers

  • Low annual maximum fees
  • Doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions
  • Dental and gum issues only covered on the two highest tiers

Compare PDSA Plans

The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) is a charity in the UK that helps the sick and injured pets of owners on low incomes. They offer either time-limited or lifetime plans, each offering different options for coverage. Their time-limited plans offer coverage at £2,000 or £5,000 per illness or accident for 12 months, while their lifetime policy is more comprehensive and ranges from £2,000 to £8,000 in vet fees coverage per year.

Pros

Cheap

Good coverage

Supports a charity

Cons

Doesn’t offer great cover for older pets

Doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions

Cheap

Good coverage

Supports a charity

  • Cheap
  • Good coverage
  • Supports a charity

Doesn’t offer great cover for older pets

Doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions

  • Doesn’t offer great cover for older pets
  • Doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions

Buyer’s Guide: Comparing Pet Insurance Plans in the UK

What to Look for in Pet Insurance in the UK

Because pet insurance is often a very personal thing, it can be difficult to compare all the different policies available. Each will have its pros and cons for individuals. However, by using certain criteria, a base ranking system can be created to ensure the best providers and policies are located and reviewed. Of course, price is important when finding the best, but it isn’t the only thing that should be considered. Below, we look at the criteria we used to compare and rank insurance providers.

Policy Coverage

When considering policy coverage, it’s a value that we held in the highest regard. We looked at providers and policies that had a good range of coverage overall, with options to customize to suit your price range. Usually, the more that’s covered under a plan, the more expensive the premiums will be.

Some policies came with additions and coverage that were outside of the norm, which we deemed as going “over and above” in terms of value. For example, plans that featured the 24/7 vet phone or video call ranked higher in our selection, and policies that offered more still (such as free consultations) placed higher still. More “bang for your buck” represents better value for money, although the options to customize plans also had weight, particularly flexible plans.

Pet parents that own older pets are still looking for a fair deal for their pet, so plans that include older pets also held weight on our list.

Customer Service & Reputation

When a pet owner has to use their pet insurance, it’s because their beloved pet is sick or injured, which is an incredibly stressful time. Owners will be dealing with worry about their pets, so a kind and friendly customer service representative can make all the difference, as can easy-to-navigate websites and user interfaces.

Having a knowledgeable person speak to them in a kind and understanding way can help owners deal with the sometimes maze-like task of pet insurance claims, which is why customer service and reputation are so important.

We looked through customer reviews of many insurance providers and identified those that provided excellent customer service with friendly, knowledgeable representatives (which often had a shining reputation). We also spotted those who unfortunately lacked in the service department. We ranked poor communication, difficulties with getting hold of customer service, and poor general reputation lower on our list. Companies that have been awarded for their customer service and satisfaction were ranked higher.

Claim Repayment

Arguably, the most important factor in ranking pet insurance is claim repayment. Companies who try to stop claims from being paid aren’t making it onto our list, as these are the companies to avoid. We looked into the percentages of claims paid, the ease of the claims process (including unnecessary jargon or confusing steps), and how quickly claims were repaid when ranking our top ten. The option to pay vets directly rather than reclaiming money also factored in.

Price Of Policy

The price of policies is certainly important when ranking companies, but insurance is about covering high veterinary bills and unexpected expenses. A policy may be the cheapest around, but when it comes to needing it, often the cheapest doesn’t cover even half of the things a more pricey plan might. That’s why the top plans may not be the cheapest on our list, but they’ll all represent value for your money.

This doesn’t mean that financial benefits such as multi-pet discounts and membership perks didn’t come into our consideration; good value companies with additional financial benefits ranked higher than other plans on the list.

Plan Customization

The option to tailor plans to a particular pet’s needs ranked highly in our list. Customizable coverage is important to owners who want the correct and most beneficial coverage for their lifestyle. Often, plans have add-ons such as dental care or travel cover, which won’t apply to all pet owners, but is a difference between choosing and not choosing a plan for others. If this process is made easy by allowing online changes and fee-free tweaks, the insurance provider supplying it will rank higher on our list, particularly if there are few hoops to jump through to do so.

However, we keep in mind that most pet parents will only need standard cover, so while we value the customization options for owners, it’s the overall value and coverage for the standard plans that hold the most weight in our list.

Can I Get Pet Insurance Outside the UK?

Yes, pet insurance is available in most places worldwide. However, it might look different and vary from country to country. Very few companies will cover much overseas travel, but if you frequently reside in or travel to other countries, look at your policy and see if there are any conditions to this overseas time or add-ons to your plan.

Is It Worth Getting Pet Insurance in the UK?

Pet insurance is used to cover surprise vet bills or large amounts of money needed for veterinary treatment, particularly if it’s sudden. The majority of people whon;t be able to comfortably cover large vets bills outrigt

Some common treatments in the UK can cost thousands of pounds, such as cruciate ligament damage. Diagnosis and treatment for this problem often reach £2,000 to £5,000 per leg, and that’s if it all goes well. It’s safe to say then that pet insurance in the UK is worth it, as it offers a safety net and the reassurance of knowing your pet is covered.

Will Pet Insurance in the UK Cover My Pet Right Away?

Every pet insurance provider in the UK will have waiting times before you can claim, the standard of which is usually 14 days. This is a time window you must wait for after taking out your insurance policy before you can claim, as claims that occur during this time won’t be covered and will be classed as a pre-existing condition.

The details of waiting times will be found in policy papers or on sample papers online.

What the Users Say

Looking at the reviews of the insurance companies we’ve listed, and the general tone of each, pet owners in the Uk are looking for great value, good coverage, and honest providers when shopping for insurance. Reviews of the best picks included the “knowledge of the customer service team” and how being listened to and understood was so important. Others stated that the added extras on thor policy, such as the vet phone line or video link were also a plus and often appreciated.

Most of the negative reviews about pet insurance companies come from owners who sadly misunderstand their policy documents and may become confused about pre-existing conditions, but this is why plain language and easy user interface on apps and websites are so important.

Which UK Pet Insurance Provider Is Best for You?

The perfect policy and provider for you will depend on your individual situation, the amount you’d want to pay for pet insurance, the type of pet you’d like to insure and their age. The best place to start would be to look at our top three providers and read what animals they cover and at what level. Then, you can look at customizable options and see if any would benefit your lifestyle (such as travel insurance or treated condition coverage).

Narrowing the policy down in this way ensures that you’ll find a policy in the UK that suits you while being confident that we only ranked the best on our list that met the criteria listed above. However, note that certain companies and policies we’ve listed won’t suit you, as we pick for most owners.

Conclusion

Pet insurance in the UK can sometimes feel like a minefield to traverse. That’s why we took the leg work out and listed our top 10 providers for pets, focussing on excellent value, reputation, and ease of the claims processes(and payments!) so you can easily see which suits you best.

While each provider and plan is different in terms of cost, customization, and coverage, each has been placed on our list because of its value and recommendation. Choosing a provider that suits your particular lifestyle and pet’s needs is made easier.

Sources

https://www.abi.org.uk/news/news-articles/2022/05/pet-insurers-processed-a-record-2.4-million-a-day-in-2021/ https://www.petsure.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Petsure-IPID-June-2021.pdf https://forrit-cms-tb-prod-consumables.azureedge.net/media/2891feef-99cf-4d34-9cf9-cb742ffd9ab2/tesco-bank-pet-std-3k-static.pdf https://petinsurance-prod-eu-west-2-uploads.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/GeneralPolicyWording-V11.pdf https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/pdsa-pet-insurance/insuring-your-dog?token=9C2E65622A&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=petinsurancegeneric&utm_content=textad&gclid=Cj0KCQiAg_KbBhDLARIsANx7wAyFJOtid0gusE__zs7qJMhw0a4fcc1tmXujCrttJtXNPCUXmjpVTQwaAsbMEALw_wcB https://manypets.com/uk/articles/can-dog-recover-torn-acl-without-surgery/

Featured Image Credit: Gustavo Fring, Pexels