Veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker evaluates top pet insurance policies for dogs, cats, and other beloved animals, including options like PetPlan and Tesco.
With nearly forty years of experience running my own vet clinic, I’m a staunch advocate for securing the best pet insurance. Unlike humans, pets don’t have a national health service. If your pet faces an accident or develops a serious illness, substantial veterinary fees will be required. Getting pet insurance early in your pet’s life is a prudent decision.
The concept is simple: allocate a modest monthly amount to cover the insurance premiums. This way, if you ever need veterinary care, you and your vet can focus entirely on your pet’s well-being, knowing that the insurance provider will handle the financial aspect.
Determining the optimal pet insurance plans can be complex, but I detail the top 15 later in this article. Additionally, I offer guidance on selecting the most suitable policy for your needs. For those in a hurry, here’s a quick overview of my top five choices for 2024:
Best overall pet insurance – Agria
Most reliable pet insurance – PetPlan
Best dog insurance – The Kennel Club
Top pet insurance for pre-existing conditions – Many Pets
Leading cat insurance – Everypaw
How much is pet insurance?
The cost of pet insurance varies based on several factors, as detailed in the FAQ section below. For typical coverage, expect to pay approximately $30 to $50 per month for a dog, or $20 to $35 for a cat, ensuring comprehensive protection for your pet.
How to choose the right insurance for you
There’s no quick way around this: set aside about an hour to request quotes from three or four different providers. You’ll need to input your personal details along with your pet’s information and make decisions about various aspects of the coverage you desire.
Afterward, you’ll receive a personalized quote, typically followed by an email. Once you have three or four price offers, you can then choose which company to follow up with.
It’s crucial to note that there’s no such thing as a ‘bad’ policy, provided—here’s the big caveat—you fully understand the coverage you’re purchasing.
The following companies are some of the most popular pet insurance providers in the USA, ranked based on their pros and cons. (If you’ve recently welcomed a new pet, you might also find my guides to the best dog food and cat food helpful.)
Best Pet Insurance in 2024
- Agria
Agria stands as the world’s oldest pet insurance company, originating in Sweden in 1890. Since its UK launch in 2009, Agria has garnered immense popularity. It emphasizes stakeholder feedback, boasting endorsements from over 40,000 vets, animal rescues, and breeders. Agria exclusively offers lifetime pet insurance and allows policy customization to suit individual needs. All policyholders benefit from free 24/7 access to the Pet Health Helpline. Agria covers cats, dogs, rabbits, and horses. - PetPlan
PetPlan has been a prominent figure in UK pet insurance for over forty years, renowned for its philanthropic efforts with over 1,200 charities across the UK. PetPlan offers generous claim submission windows and promptly pays 90% of claims within five days. Their plans feature no lifetime or per-condition claim limits, supported by a user-friendly app for seamless claim processing. Coverage includes dogs, cats, rabbits, horses, and exotic pets. Policies are underwritten by Allianz. - The Kennel Club
Leveraging its extensive experience with pedigree dogs, The Kennel Club offers specialized pet insurance tailored for dog owners, including breeders. Their policies exclusively provide lifetime cover, offering up to £15,000 annually for vet’s fees, renewable each year. The Lifetime Plus policy includes a £25 voucher for your dog’s annual health check or vaccination. Policies are underwritten by Agria. - Many Pets
Many Pets offers competitive pricing with a range of coverage options from basic to comprehensive, accommodating diverse needs. They uniquely allow coverage for pre-existing conditions under certain controls. Customers benefit from free vet video calls and a year’s membership to TrustedHouseSitters for pet sitting services. Many Pets policies are underwritten by Wakam SA. - Waggel
Waggel, a newcomer, emphasizes simplicity with a single lifetime policy covering dogs and cats. Their online quote process is streamlined, allowing customization of payout limits and excess levels to match personal budgets. Monthly premiums are transparently displayed for easy budgeting. Waggel policies are underwritten by Red Sands. - Marks and Spencer Pet Insurance
Marks & Spencer Bank offers a range of policies—essential, standard, plus, and premier—tailored to varying needs and budgets. Benefits include discounts for online purchases, M&S vouchers with new lifetime policies, and comprehensive coverage options such as routine dental work and overseas vet costs. Policyholders also enjoy access to Vetfone and support services. Policies are underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance plc. - Argos
Argos focuses on value, offering comprehensive policies covering dental care, complementary treatments, and overseas veterinary costs. New policyholders receive an in-store spending voucher. Coverage extends to dogs, cats, and rabbits, underwritten by Pinnacle Insurance Plc. - Everypaw
Everypaw exclusively offers lifetime pet insurance with flexible options to suit various budgets and needs. Policyholders enjoy unlimited 24/7 access to UK vet nurses and vets via Petcall. New policyholders receive a free pet gift box. Everypaw Pet Insurance is underwritten by Pinnacle Insurance plc. - Healthy Pets
Healthy Pets offers competitive pricing with a 20% online discount for first-time customers. They provide a wide range of policies tailored to different needs, with clear coverage details. Comparison quotes are available on their website for transparency. Healthy Pets is a trading name of Atlanta Insurance Intermediaries Limited. - Animal Friends
Founded with a mission to support animal welfare, Animal Friends offers pet insurance policies for cats, dogs, and horses. Policyholders benefit from free unlimited vet video consultations via the Joii app. Animal Friends policies are underwritten by Red Sands. - More Than
More Than offers tailored pet insurance plans with a significant online booking discount. They provide farewell cover, including costs associated with pet euthanasia and burial or cremation. Additional perks include multipet discounts and support for Dogs for Good charity. Policies are underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Ltd. - Direct Line
Direct Line simplifies decision-making with two straightforward options: Essential Cover and Advanced Cover. Both options include beneficial features such as complementary treatments and routine dental work coverage. Policyholders access 24/7 vet consultations via PawSquad. Policies are underwritten by UK Insurance Ltd. - Tesco Pet Insurance
Tesco Bank offers premier pet insurance with a five-star rating, featuring flexible excess options and discounts for Tesco Clubcard holders. Policyholders enjoy free phone and video consultations via Vetfone for medical advice. Policies are underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Ltd. - Sainsbury’s Pet Insurance
Sainsbury’s Bank offers three policy options: time-limited, maximum benefit, and lifetime cover, tailored with varying payout limits. Nectar cardholders receive additional discounts. Benefits include 24/7 access to Sainsbury’s Bank Vet Assistance for non-emergency pet health queries and support services. Policies are underwritten by Pinnacle Insurance plc. - Asda Pet Insurance
Asda Money provides cost-effective pet insurance options from Lifetime to Time Limited cover. Policyholders benefit from 24/7 vet access via the Joii pet care app and tailored preventative care advice. Asda Money Pet Insurance is underwritten by Allianz Insurance Plc.
Eight Decisions to Make When Choosing Pet Insurance
- Coverage Type: Decide between accident-only cover, which is the most economical but excludes illnesses, versus comprehensive cover that includes illnesses. Since illnesses can be as costly and unpredictable as accidents, comprehensive cover is often recommended.
- Additional Extras: Consider whether you want extras included in your policy, such as third-party liability (e.g., coverage if your pet injures someone and you are sued), boarding costs if you’re hospitalized, advertising and reward costs for a missing pet, euthanasia expenses, and financial compensation in case of pet death.
- Lifetime Cover: Choose between lifetime cover, which covers new conditions for the entirety of your pet’s life, versus time-limited cover that only covers new conditions for a specified duration (e.g., 12 months). It’s usually not possible to obtain insurance for a condition once it’s excluded.
- Acceptable Exclusions: Determine what exclusions you are willing to accept. Exclusions are conditions not covered by insurance, such as routine dental care, behavioral issues, and complementary therapies like acupuncture or hydrotherapy. Policies with more exclusions tend to be cheaper.
- Excess Level: Decide on the excess amount you are willing to pay out of pocket before the insurance coverage kicks in. Policies with higher excess amounts generally have lower premiums.
- Annual Maximum Coverage: Consider the maximum amount per year you want your policy to cover. Cheaper policies typically have lower annual limits (e.g., $2,000) compared to more expensive ones (e.g., $12,000). Costs exceeding this maximum annually would need to be paid out of pocket.
- Per Condition Maximum Coverage: Determine the maximum amount you want the policy to cover per condition. Cheaper policies may limit coverage to a total sum per condition (e.g., $1,000), while more comprehensive policies may cover higher amounts (e.g., $2,000 for specific conditions like ruptured cruciate ligaments). Ensure the coverage meets potential treatment costs without compromising on care quality.
- Discount Opportunities: Check if there are discounts available based on certain conditions, such as having your pet microchipped or insuring multiple pets with the same provider. These discounts can help reduce your premium costs.
Making informed decisions on these aspects will help you select a pet insurance policy that aligns with your pet’s needs and your financial considerations.
FAQ pet insurance providers
What makes a good pet insurance provider?
Choosing a reliable pet insurance provider involves more than just comparing premiums and benefits. Key considerations include ease of claiming—how straightforward is it to get reimbursed for veterinary fees?—speed of claims processing, the percentage of claims rejected, quality of customer service, and user-friendly website design. Reading user reviews on platforms like TrustPilot can provide additional insights into each provider’s reputation.
Does everybody get pet insurance?
Pet insurance originated in Sweden in 1924 and became prevalent in the UK in 1947. Despite its benefits, coverage remains below widespread adoption levels seen in Sweden, with approximately 25% of UK pets insured today. Pet insurance is more likely to pay out compared to other types of insurance, with over 30% of policyholders submitting claims annually.
Do all vets accept pet insurance?
Vet acceptance of pet insurance varies. Some vets allow direct claims processing where you pay only the excess, while others require upfront payment with subsequent reimbursement. It’s advisable to inquire about a vet’s policy regarding insurance claims, including any fees associated with processing claims.
Why is pet insurance getting more expensive?
In recent decades, pet insurance premiums have increased due to advances in veterinary treatments, rising pet owner expectations, and concerns among vets about liability. These factors contribute to higher costs for insurers, influencing premium rates.
Which pet insurance covers dental?
Most pet insurance policies cover dental work resulting from accidents, such as injuries sustained outdoors. However, routine dental procedures like descaling and polishing under anaesthesia are often excluded. It’s essential to review policy details to understand specific dental coverage.
What does pet insurance actually cover?
Pet insurance typically covers unexpected veterinary costs arising from accidents and illnesses. However, it generally excludes routine and preventive care expenses such as vaccinations, worming treatments, and annual health checks. Pet health plans are available separately to cover these predictable costs.
Why are some policies more expensive than others?
Pet insurance costs vary based on factors like pet species, age, breed, and location. Insurers calculate premiums accordingly, considering the likelihood of veterinary care needs and regional differences in vet fees.
Can you insure an elderly pet?
Insurance options for older pets may include higher excesses and adjusted claims conditions. Premiums tend to rise with age, reflecting increased health risks associated with older pets.
Does the dog breed make a difference?
Pet insurance costs can vary based on breed type—whether pedigree, designer cross-breed, or cross-bred—as certain breeds may be more prone to hereditary conditions. Lifestyle factors like whether a pet is indoor or outdoor may also influence premiums.
Why do prices vary by location?
Pet insurance premiums reflect regional differences in veterinary costs. Areas with higher vet fees, such as London and the southeast of the USA, typically have higher insurance quotes compared to other regions.
These FAQs aim to clarify common queries about pet insurance, helping pet owners make informed decisions about coverage for their beloved companions.
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