Lifetime pet insurance policies with high level cover
Pet Insurance Surveys UK
July 2014
LIFETIME PET INSURANCE POLICIES
WITH HIGH LEVEL COVER
Introduction
This report provides brief details about all “lifetime” pet insurance policies available in the UK which
have an annual cover limit of £7,000 or more. All these policies have an annual cover limit to cover
all conditions and will cover conditions on a continuous basis for the lifetime of the policy.
Always remember PET (Premium, Experiences, Terms) when purchasing pet insurance. Whilst these
document should help you with Terms don’t forget to check review sites and forums to gauge the
experiences others have had when making claims from a particular insurer.
If you know anything you think we ought to add to information provided about each policy or simply
want to let others know of your experiences with a particular insurer then please do leave your
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Use of this Report
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Agria Pet Insurance
Policy Name
£7,500
Annual
Limit
£7,500
Cover
Score 1
83%
Price
Min
Band 2 Excess
5
£75
Contribution Max
3
Age 4
10% (over 5 7yrs for
years old)
dogs
9yrs for
cats
Underwriter
Agria
International
Forsakring AB
Notes
You can choose to increase the excess and/or contribution in return for a lower premium.
Most of the additional benefits are optional extras.
Breeding cover also available as optional extra.
Will pay for dental treatment required as a result of illness or accident providing your pet has
had its teeth checked in the last 12 months.
Will pay 50% of the cost of a prescription diet up to a maximum of £250.
Third party liability cover excludes any accidents “involving the use or ownership of a motorised
vehicle”.
If you trawl the internet you will find many negative comments about people’s experiences with
Agria pet insurance.
Full Details
Analysis & Review (full review available soon)
© Pet Insurance Surveys 2014
Page 1 of 10
Lifetime pet insurance policies with high level cover
Pet Insurance Surveys UK
July 2014
Argos Pet Insurance
Policy Name
Platinum
Annual
Limit
£7,000
Cover
Score 1
85%
Price
Min
2
Band
Excess
4
£65
Contribution Max
3
Age 4
None
None
Underwriter
Royal and Sun
Alliance
Insurance Plc
Notes
Be aware that a number of pet owners with policies underwritten by Royal and Sun Alliance have
been reporting higher than expected premium increases.
Will pay for vitamins and nutritional supplements if prescribed by your vet to take the place of
medication or if they have a proven effect on illness or injury.
Only provides dental cover for accidents.
Will pay for food recommended by vets to treat a condition for a maximum of 4 weeks.
Full Details
Analysis & Review (full review available soon)
Avid Pet Insurance
Policy Name
£7,500
Annual
Limit
£7,500
Cover
Score 1
78%
Price
Min
2
Band
Excess
3
£100
Contribution Max
3
Age 4
15% (over 8 7yrs for
years old)
dogs
9yrs
for cats
Underwriter
Alpha Insurance
A/S
Notes
Only covers vet fees and complementary therapies as standard.
Optional benefit packages available for third party liability, travel and other benefits.
Same policy as Petguard (see below).
Includes dental cover provided that the treatment is related to an illness or injury.
Will pay up to £200 for a clinical diet for up to 4 weeks
Full Details
Analysis & Review (full review available soon)
© Pet Insurance Surveys 2014
Page 2 of 10
Lifetime pet insurance policies with high level cover
Pet Insurance Surveys UK
July 2014
Buddies Pet Insurance
Policy Name
Premier Plus
Annual
Limit
£7,000
Cover
Score 1
78%
Price
Min
2
Band
Excess
4
£75
Contribution Max
3
Age 4
10% (2-5
None
years)
20% (over 6
years)
Underwriter
Zenith Insurance
plc
Notes
This policy was launched in April 2014.
No maximum age although in a recent survey we found their premiums for older pets were very
high compared with other polices.
Includes dental cover for accidents only.
Will only pay for prescription food for dissolving bladder stones or crystals (up to 30% of the cost
for up to 6 months)
Will only pay for a maximum of 10 hydrotherapy sessions.
Full Details
Analysis & Review
Cover4Pets Pet Insurance
Policy Name
Cover4Life
Premium
Annual
Limit
£12,000
Cover
Score 1
90%
Price
Min
Band 2 Excess
4
£70
cats
£90
dogs
Contribution Max
3
Age 4
10% (over
8yrs
10 years
old)
Underwriter
Elite Insurance
Co Limited
Notes
This policy is also marketed by NCI under RescueMyCar
Includes dental cover for illness and injury provided your pet has had a full dental examination in
the previous 12 months
Will only pay for prescription food for dissolving bladder stones or crystals (up to 40% of the cost
for up to 6 months)
Will only pay for a maximum of 10 hydrotherapy sessions per illness or injury.
Full Details
Analysis & Review
© Pet Insurance Surveys 2014
Page 3 of 10
Lifetime pet insurance policies with high level cover
Pet Insurance Surveys UK
July 2014
Homebase Pet Insurance
Policy Name
Platinum
Annual
Limit
£7,500
Cover
Score 1
85%
Price
Min
2
Band
Excess
4
£75
Contribution Max
3
Age 4
None
None
Underwriter
Royal and Sun
Alliance
Insurance Plc
Notes
Be aware that a number of pet owners with policies underwritten by Royal and Sun Alliance have
been reporting higher than expected premium increases.
Does not cover accidents occurring in the first 48 hours of the policy
Will only pay for dental treatment required as a result of an accident
Will pay for food recommended by a vet to treat a condition for a maximum of 4 weeks
Will pay for a maximum of 10 sessions of hydrotherapy per condition per period of insurance.
Full Details
Analysis & Review
John Lewis Pet Insurance
Policy Name
Plus
Premier
Annual
Limit
£7,500
£12,000
Cover
Score 1
85%
94%
Price
Min
Band 2 Excess
3
£60
4
Contribution Max
3
Age 4
20% (over 9 None
yrs )
Underwriter
Royal and Sun
Alliance
Insurance Plc
Notes
Be aware that a number of pet owners with policies underwritten by Royal and Sun Alliance have
been reporting higher than expected premium increases.
Trip cancellation cover only includes trips to the EU.
Will only pay for dental treatment required as a result of an accident
Will pay up to £250 per year for prescription food
Plus Policy
Full Details
Analysis & Review
Premier Policy
Full Details
Analysis & Review
© Pet Insurance Surveys 2014
Page 4 of 10
Lifetime pet insurance policies with high level cover
Pet Insurance Surveys UK
July 2014
Kennel Club Dog Insurance
Policy Name
£10,000
Annual
Limit
£10,000
Cover
Score 1
92%
Price
Min
2
Band
Excess
5
£85
Contribution Max
3
Age 4
10% (over 5
7yrs
yrs)
Underwriter
Agria
International
Forsakring AB
Notes
You can choose to increase the excess and/or contribution in return for a lower premium.
Most of the additional benefits are optional extras.
Breeding cover also available as optional extra.
Will pay for dental treatment required as a result of illness or accident providing your pet has
had its teeth checked in the last 12 months.
Will pay 50% of the cost of a prescription diet up to a maximum of £250.
Full Details
Analysis & Review
M&S Pet Insurance
Policy Name
Premier
Annual
Limit
£7,000
Cover
Score 1
87%
Price
Min
Band 2 Excess
4
£50
Contribution Max
3
Age 4
None
None
Underwriter
Royal and Sun
Alliance
Insurance Plc
Notes
Be aware that a number of pet owners with policies underwritten by Royal and Sun Alliance have
been reporting higher than expected premium increases.
Will pay for dental treatment required as a result of illness or accident providing your pet has
had its teeth checked in the last 12 months.
Will pay up to £200 for food recommended by your vet to treat a condition
Although there is no contribution for older pets the minimum excess is increased to £150.
Full Details
Analysis & Review
© Pet Insurance Surveys 2014
Page 5 of 10
Lifetime pet insurance policies with high level cover
Pet Insurance Surveys UK
July 2014
Medic Animal Pet Insurance
Policy Name
Diamond
Annual
Limit
£10,000
(see
notes)
Cover
Score 1
83%
Price
Min
2
Band
Excess
5
£80
Contribution Max
3
Age 4
15% (over 8 7yrs
yrs)
Underwriter
Elite Insurance
Co Limited
Notes
This policy is the same as that offered by Vets Medicover. These are new policies and
therefore have no track record.
It will cover historic pre-existing conditions (providing your pet has been symptom and
treatment free for 2 years)
It provides £10,000 per year for illnesses plus £10,000 per year for accidents.
It is a requirement that your pet has a health check every 12 months.
It excludes conditions caused by your pet being overweight.
It will pay for dental treatment providing it is carried out within 6 months of your vet making
the recommendation.
It pays 40% of the cost of prescription food (max £200).
Full Details
Analysis & Review (full review available soon)
More Than Pet Insurance
Policy Name
Premier
Annual
Limit
£12,000
Cover
Score 1
93%
Price
Min
2
Band
Excess
3
£75
Contribution Max
3
Age 4
None
None
Underwriter
Royal and Sun
Alliance
Insurance Plc
Notes
Be aware that a number of pet owners with policies underwritten by Royal and Sun Alliance have
been reporting higher than expected premium increases.
This is one of More Than’s new policies launched in mid 2013. Premium quotes tend to be very
competitive.
You can choose to pay a 10% contribution in return for a lower premium.
Note that the excess for pets over 9 years old is £150.
Dental care is covered providing your pet has had a health check in the last 12 months.
The policy will pay for food recommended by a vet in order to treat a condition.
Holiday cancellation cover only applies to trips to the EU.
Full Details
Analysis & Review
© Pet Insurance Surveys 2014
Page 6 of 10
Lifetime pet insurance policies with high level cover
Pet Insurance Surveys UK
July 2014
Petguard Pet Insurance
Policy Name
£7,500
Annual
Limit
£7,500
Cover
Score 1
78%
Price
Min
2
Band
Excess
3
£100
Contribution Max
3
Age 4
15% (over 8 7yrs for
yrs)
dogs
9yrs
for cats
Underwriter
Alpha Insurance
A/S
Notes
Only covers vet fees and complementary therapies as standard.
Optional benefit packages available for third party liability, travel and other benefits.
Same policy as Avid (see above).
Includes dental cover provided that the treatment is related to an illness or injury.
Will pay up to £200 for a clinical diet for up to 4 weeks
Full Details
Analysis & Review (full review available soon)
Petplan Pet Insurance
Policy Name
Covered for
Life Classic
Covered for
Life Ultimate
Annual
Limit
£7,000
Cover
Score 1
81%
£12,000
89%
Price
Min
2
Band
Excess
4
£85
cats
5
£100
dogs
Contribution Max
3
Age 4
20% (over 8 9yrs
yrs)
cats
7yrs
dogs
Underwriter
Allianz
Insurance plc
Notes
This is the policy which is most often recommended both by vets and pet owners.
Petplan quotes often come out relatively expensive.
Will pay for dental work provided a checkup was carried out in the previous 12 months.
Will only pay for prescription food for dissolving bladder stones or crystals (up to 40% of the cost
for up to 6 months)
Will only pay for a maximum of 10 sessions of hydrotherapy per accident or illness.
Death benefits are an optional extra.
Covered for Life Classic £7,000
Full Details
Analysis & Review
Covered for Life Ultimate
Full Details
Analysis & Review
© Pet Insurance Surveys 2014
Page 7 of 10
Lifetime pet insurance policies with high level cover
Pet Insurance Surveys UK
July 2014
Pets at Home Pet Insurance
Policy Name
Premier Plus
for Dogs
Premier Plus
for Cats
Annual
Limit
£9,000
Cover
Score 1
86%
Price
Min
2
Band
Excess
4
£75
Contribution Max
3
Age 4
10%
None
£7,000
81%
n/a
10%
£75
Underwriter
Zenith Insurance
plc
None
Notes
There is a 10% contribution charge in addition to the excess for all pets (regardless of age).
You can opt to increase the excess in return for a lower premium.
Includes dental treatment for both illness and injury providing your pet has had its teeth
checked in the last 12 months.
Does not pay for the cost of any prescription or diet food.
Premier Plus for Dogs
Details
Analysis & Review
Premier Plus for Cats
Details
Analysis & Review
Purely Pets Pet Insurance
Policy Name
Accident &
Illness Extra
Annual
Limit
£7,500
Cover
Score 1
69%
Price
Min
Band 2 Excess
4
£99
Contribution Max
3
Age 4
15% (over 8 None
yrs)
Underwriter
Ultimate
Insurance Co Ltd
Notes
Will only pay up to £1,500 for cruciate ligament injuries and £1,875 for CT/MRI scans.
Will not pay for conditions caused by your pet being overweight.
Will not pay for third party liability claims arising from your pet’s interaction with other animals or
as a result of someone handling your pet without your permission.
Includes dental treatment for both illness and injury
Includes up to £100 for prescription food for dissolving bladder stones or crystals.
Full Details
Analysis & Review
© Pet Insurance Surveys 2014
Page 8 of 10
Lifetime pet insurance policies with high level cover
Pet Insurance Surveys UK
July 2014
Vets Medicover Pet Insurance
Policy Name
Diamond
Annual
Limit
£10,000
(see
notes)
Cover
Score 1
83%
Price
Min
2
Band
Excess
5
£80
Contribution Max
3
Age 4
15% (over 8 7yrs
yrs)
Underwriter
Elite Insurance
Co Limited
Notes
This policy is also marketed by Medic Animal.
This is a new policies and therefore have no track record.
It will cover historic pre-existing conditions (providing your pet has been symptom and
treatment free for 2 years)
It provides £10,000 per year for illnesses plus £10,000 per year for accidents.
It is a requirement that your pet has a health check every 12 months.
It excludes conditions caused by your pet being overweight.
It will pay for dental treatment providing it is carried out within 6 months of your vet making
the recommendation.
It pays 40% of the cost of prescription food (max £200).
Full Details
Analysis & Review (full review available soon)
Notes
1. Cover Scores
The cover score shown for each policy is our assessment of how much cover is provided
by a particular policy. Every policy has been scored individually after a thorough review
of the appropriate documentation. Further details: Pet Insurance Surveys UK - Cover
Scores Explained
2. Price Bands
We take a number of quotes for each policy for dogs of different ages and breeds and living
in different locations. We use the average quote to allocate the policy to a price band with 1
being the lowest and 5 being the highest.
3. Contribution Payments
This is can also be called variable excess or co-insurance. Essentially it means that you have
to pay a percentage of each vet fees claim.
4. Maximum Age
This is the maximum age at which you can take out a new policy. All policies in this report
will cover your pet until the end of their life providing the policy stays in force.
© Pet Insurance Surveys 2014
Page 9 of 10
Lifetime pet insurance policies with high level cover
Pet Insurance Surveys UK
July 2014
About Pet Insurance Surveys UK
Pet Insurance Surveys UK is an independent website dedicated to helping you find the best
policy for your pets. Our website contains unbiased detailed information about almost all the
205 policies currently available in the UK. We do not sell any pet insurance policies nor do we
receive any commission from any insurance company.
Disclaimer
Whilst we have taken great care in ensuring the information below is accurate, we cannot be
responsible for its accuracy and you must check all the details with the insurer before
purchasing the policy. The details above relate to the current policy available from the insurer.
Terms for existing policies you have may be different.
If you find any inaccuracies please do let us know as we would like to ensure that this is a useful
guide for all pet owners.
© Pet Insurance Surveys 2014
Page 10 of 10