How 11 UK dog insurance policies compare, feature by feature
We read 11 UK insurers' dog policy documents on 21 October 2026. Published vet-fee limits run from £1,000 to £20,000, every insurer we could verify ties dental illness cover to a recent dental check, and 7 of 9 exclude pre-existing conditions with no symptom-free period stated.
Pawwala is not authorised by the FCA. We explain how cover works and do not give advice or recommend insurers. Pawwala earns a fee when you get a quote through a link marked Ad. Always read the policy wording. How we make money
Key facts
- A lifetime policy resets the vet-fee limit at each renewal. A time-limited policy covers each condition for 12 months; a maximum benefit policy pays a fixed total per condition.
- Most policies charge a fixed excess per condition, and many add a 20% co-payment from a set age.
- Dental illness cover depends on a recent dental check on every policy we could verify.
- Complementary therapy sub-limits run from £500 to £3,000 where a policy sets one.
The four types of cover
| Type | How the limit works | Long-term conditions | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lifetime | Resets each year you renew | Keeps paying, up to the yearly limit | Premiums usually rise with age and claims |
| Per-condition (maximum benefit) | A fixed total for each condition | Stops once that condition's total is used up | The size of the per-condition total |
| Time-limited | Per condition, for a set time, often 12 months | Stops when the time runs out, even if treatment continues | You pay ongoing costs after that |
| Accident-only | Accidents and injuries only | Illness is not covered | No cover for illness at all |
The type of cover decides what happens if your pet develops a long-term condition. For the full picture, see lifetime vs annual pet insurance.
Questions to ask any insurer
- What is the vet-fee limit, and is it per year or per condition?
- What is the excess, and is it per condition or per claim? Is there a co-payment, and from what age?
- Are there sub-limits inside the main limit, for example for one condition or for dental treatment?
- How are conditions that affect both sides of the body, such as both knees, treated?
- Are hereditary and breed-related conditions covered?
- What happens to the price and the cover at renewal?
The answers are in the policy wording and the insurance product information document (IPID). If they are not clear, ask the insurer before you buy.
How do you compare pet insurance policies?
Cover type first
A lifetime policy resets the vet-fee limit at each renewal, so a dog diagnosed with diabetes at 4 can be covered for it year after year. A time-limited policy covers each condition for 12 months only. A maximum benefit policy pays a fixed total per condition and stops once it is used. See lifetime vs annual pet insurance.
Then excess and co-payment
The fixed excess is paid first; a co-payment is a percentage of what is left. On a £3,000 bill with a £100 excess and a 20% co-payment, you pay £680 and the insurer £2,320. Defaqto found 74% of dog policies apply a compulsory co-payment from a set age (Defaqto, June 2024 data). See pet insurance excess explained.
Then the exclusions and waiting periods
Read how the wording treats pre-existing conditions, dental illness and conditions that affect both sides of the body. Illness is not covered in the first 14 days on most policies. Our guide to whether pet insurance covers dental explains the dental check rules.
Price last, and at every renewal
The FCA rule against charging renewing customers more than new ones covers home and motor insurance only, not pet insurance (FCA Handbook ICOBS 6B.1). Compare at renewal, but remember a new insurer will exclude anything already treated. The average claim in 2024 was £685 (ABI); a single claim of that size is worth checking against each policy's excess with our claim calculator.
If a claim dispute is not resolved by the insurer, the Financial Ombudsman Service can review it: 29% of pet and livestock complaints were upheld in Q2 2026 (Insurance Times report of Ombudsman data).
What would a claim pay back?
An illustration of how excess, co-payment and limits add up. Your policy wording decides what is actually paid. Some policies apply the excess per condition, others per claim.
Insurer pays
£1,120.80
You pay
£379.20
How it adds up
- Bill £1,500 minus excess £99 leaves £1,401.
- Co-payment of 20% on £1,401 is £280.20.
- The insurer's share is £1,401 minus £280.20 = £1,120.80. That is within the limit left of £4,000, so the insurer pays £1,120.80.
- Your share: excess £99 + co-payment £280.20 = £379.20.
This uses no real insurer's terms. Policies can also have sub-limits, for example for one condition or for dental treatment, and claims for a condition can be declined under the policy's exclusions.
Open it on its own page: pet insurance claim calculator.
Policy features, A to Z
Listed alphabetically. This is not a ranking.
The main features from each insurer's current policy wording or IPID. Where an insurer sells several levels, the range across levels is shown.
Agria
- Vet-fee limit
- £3,000, £6,500, £12,500 or £20,000 a year
- Dental illness
- Yes, if a vet examined the teeth and gums in the 15 months before the illness
- Complementary therapy
- £1,000 or £2,500 per condition, by level
- Pre-existing conditions
- Excluded; no symptom-free period stated
- Illness waiting period
- 10 days
- Checked
- 2026-10-21
Animal Friends
- Vet-fee limit
- Lifetime £1,000 to £18,000 a year; other ranges per condition
- Dental illness
- Higher levels only (up to £1,000 or £3,000), with a dental exam in the year before the illness
- Complementary therapy
- £500 to £3,000, by level
- Pre-existing conditions
- Excluded; no symptom-free period stated
- Illness waiting period
- 14 days
- Checked
- 2026-10-21
John Lewis
- Vet-fee limit
- Shown on your certificate; not published in the policy documents
- Dental illness
- Yes, with a history of annual check-ups and advice followed within 6 months
- Complementary therapy
- Up to the vet-fee limit
- Pre-existing conditions
- Excluded; no symptom-free period stated
- Illness waiting period
- 14 days
- Checked
- 2026-10-21
LV=
- Vet-fee limit
- Lifetime £1,000 to £12,000 a year; time-limited up to £3,000 per condition for 12 months
- Dental illness
- Yes, if the teeth were checked in the 12 months before the first symptoms
- Complementary therapy
- Up to 10 sessions of each therapy per condition per year, within the limit
- Pre-existing conditions
- Excluded; some exclusions are temporary and may be removed on request
- Illness waiting period
- 14 days
- Checked
- 2026-10-21
ManyPets
- Vet-fee limit
- £1,000 to £20,000 a year, by plan
- Dental illness
- Standard and Complete Care only, with an annual dental check-up
- Complementary therapy
- £500 to £3,000 a year, by plan
- Pre-existing conditions
- Covered if there was no treatment, medication or advice in the 24 months before the start
- Illness waiting period
- 14 days
- Checked
- Awaiting re-check
MORE THAN
- Vet-fee limit
- Premier £1,000 to £6,000 per condition each year; Classic £4,000 or £8,000 per condition; Basic £1,500 or £3,000 per condition for 12 months
- Dental illness
- Premier only (up to £1,000 or £2,000), with a dental check in the 12 months before cover starts
- Complementary therapy
- £500 to £1,500, by level
- Pre-existing conditions
- Excluded; no symptom-free period stated
- Illness waiting period
- 14 days
- Checked
- 2026-10-21
Petplan
- Vet-fee limit
- Lifetime £4,000, £7,000 or £12,000 a year; Essential £3,000 per condition for 12 months
- Dental illness
- Yes, if the teeth were checked in the 12 months before the first symptoms
- Complementary therapy
- Pet therapies up to £2,000 a year on Covered For Life
- Pre-existing conditions
- Exclusions can be removed if criteria are met, such as a symptom-free period; no fixed period stated
- Illness waiting period
- 14 days
- Checked
- 2026-10-21
Purely Pets
- Vet-fee limit
- £1,000 to £15,000 a year
- Dental illness
- Dental illness from the second policy year, with annual dental check-ups
- Complementary therapy
- £500 to £1,000, by tier
- Pre-existing conditions
- Not covered
- Illness waiting period
- 14 days
- Checked
- Awaiting re-check
RSPCA Pet Insurance
- Vet-fee limit
- £1,000, £4,000, £7,000 or £10,000 a year
- Dental illness
- Yes, with a history of annual check-ups and advice followed within 6 months
- Complementary therapy
- Up to the vet-fee limit
- Pre-existing conditions
- Excluded; no symptom-free period stated
- Illness waiting period
- 14 days
- Checked
- 2026-10-21
Tesco Pet Insurance
- Vet-fee limit
- Shown on your certificate; not published in the IPIDs
- Dental illness
- Lifetime: yes, with a history of annual check-ups; not on accident and injury cover
- Complementary therapy
- Not stated in the IPIDs
- Pre-existing conditions
- Excluded; no symptom-free period stated
- Illness waiting period
- 14 days
- Checked
- 2026-10-21
Waggel
- Vet-fee limit
- Chosen at quote; Waggel says up to £15,000
- Dental illness
- Yes, up to £1,000, with a dental exam in the last 12 months
- Complementary therapy
- Up to £1,000
- Pre-existing conditions
- Excluded; no symptom-free period stated
- Illness waiting period
- 14 days
- Checked
- 2026-10-21
| Insurer | Vet-fee limit | Dental illness | Complementary therapy | Pre-existing conditions | Illness waiting period | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agria | £3,000, £6,500, £12,500 or £20,000 a year | Yes, if a vet examined the teeth and gums in the 15 months before the illness | £1,000 or £2,500 per condition, by level | Excluded; no symptom-free period stated | 10 days | 2026-10-21 |
| Animal Friends | Lifetime £1,000 to £18,000 a year; other ranges per condition | Higher levels only (up to £1,000 or £3,000), with a dental exam in the year before the illness | £500 to £3,000, by level | Excluded; no symptom-free period stated | 14 days | 2026-10-21 |
| John Lewis | Shown on your certificate; not published in the policy documents | Yes, with a history of annual check-ups and advice followed within 6 months | Up to the vet-fee limit | Excluded; no symptom-free period stated | 14 days | 2026-10-21 |
| LV= | Lifetime £1,000 to £12,000 a year; time-limited up to £3,000 per condition for 12 months | Yes, if the teeth were checked in the 12 months before the first symptoms | Up to 10 sessions of each therapy per condition per year, within the limit | Excluded; some exclusions are temporary and may be removed on request | 14 days | 2026-10-21 |
| ManyPets | £1,000 to £20,000 a year, by plan | Standard and Complete Care only, with an annual dental check-up | £500 to £3,000 a year, by plan | Covered if there was no treatment, medication or advice in the 24 months before the start | 14 days | Awaiting re-check |
| MORE THAN | Premier £1,000 to £6,000 per condition each year; Classic £4,000 or £8,000 per condition; Basic £1,500 or £3,000 per condition for 12 months | Premier only (up to £1,000 or £2,000), with a dental check in the 12 months before cover starts | £500 to £1,500, by level | Excluded; no symptom-free period stated | 14 days | 2026-10-21 |
| Petplan | Lifetime £4,000, £7,000 or £12,000 a year; Essential £3,000 per condition for 12 months | Yes, if the teeth were checked in the 12 months before the first symptoms | Pet therapies up to £2,000 a year on Covered For Life | Exclusions can be removed if criteria are met, such as a symptom-free period; no fixed period stated | 14 days | 2026-10-21 |
| Purely Pets | £1,000 to £15,000 a year | Dental illness from the second policy year, with annual dental check-ups | £500 to £1,000, by tier | Not covered | 14 days | Awaiting re-check |
| RSPCA Pet Insurance | £1,000, £4,000, £7,000 or £10,000 a year | Yes, with a history of annual check-ups and advice followed within 6 months | Up to the vet-fee limit | Excluded; no symptom-free period stated | 14 days | 2026-10-21 |
| Tesco Pet Insurance | Shown on your certificate; not published in the IPIDs | Lifetime: yes, with a history of annual check-ups; not on accident and injury cover | Not stated in the IPIDs | Excluded; no symptom-free period stated | 14 days | 2026-10-21 |
| Waggel | Chosen at quote; Waggel says up to £15,000 | Yes, up to £1,000, with a dental exam in the last 12 months | Up to £1,000 | Excluded; no symptom-free period stated | 14 days | 2026-10-21 |
Premiums are not shown: they depend on your dog, postcode and cover level, so get a quote for your own dog. Policy facts come from each insurer's own policy wording or IPID on the date shown in the row. Rows marked 'Awaiting re-check' could not be confirmed against current documents. Limits and excess often depend on the level you choose and are confirmed in your own schedule or certificate. Always read the policy wording and get your own quote.
How do lifetime dog insurance policies compare?
All of the 11 insurers sell lifetime cover. The table below sets out the two things that change most between them: the annual limit and when a co-payment starts.
| Insurer | Lifetime limit | Co-payment (dogs) | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agria | £3,000, £6,500, £12,500 or £20,000 a year | Percentage excess shown on your schedule; no starting age in the documents | 21 October 2026 |
| Animal Friends | Lifetime £1,000 to £18,000 a year; other ranges per condition | 20% or 35% from age 8 | 21 October 2026 |
| John Lewis | Shown on your certificate; not published in the policy documents | Percentage becomes fixed from an age shown on your certificate | 21 October 2026 |
| LV= | Lifetime £1,000 to £12,000 a year; time-limited up to £3,000 per condition for 12 months | 20% from the renewal after the 8th birthday (not on the £1,000 level) | 21 October 2026 |
| ManyPets | £1,000 to £20,000 a year, by plan | 20% from the first renewal after the 7th birthday | Awaiting re-check |
| MORE THAN | Premier £1,000 to £6,000 per condition each year; Classic £4,000 or £8,000 per condition; Basic £1,500 or £3,000 per condition for 12 months | Optional 0%, 10% or 20% before age 9; 20% from age 9 | 21 October 2026 |
| Petplan | Lifetime £4,000, £7,000 or £12,000 a year; Essential £3,000 per condition for 12 months | 20% from the renewal after the 10th birthday (7th for select breeds) on Covered For Life | 21 October 2026 |
| Purely Pets | £1,000 to £15,000 a year | 20% from age 6 | Awaiting re-check |
| RSPCA Pet Insurance | £1,000, £4,000, £7,000 or £10,000 a year | Percentage may become fixed from an age shown on your certificate | 21 October 2026 |
| Tesco Pet Insurance | Shown on your certificate; not published in the IPIDs | Not stated in the IPIDs | 21 October 2026 |
| Waggel | Chosen at quote; Waggel says up to £15,000 | Optional; no age-related co-payment stated | 21 October 2026 |
What the policy documents show (9 insurers, read on 21 October 2026)
- 4 publish an age when a fixed co-payment starts for dogs: Animal Friends 8, LV= 8, MORE THAN 9, Petplan 10. The rest set it on your schedule or certificate, or make it optional.
- 7 of the 9 exclude pre-existing conditions with no symptom-free period stated. LV= and Petplan say some exclusions can be lifted if criteria are met, without a fixed period.
Not on sale on the day we checked: Petpals (petpalsdirect.co.uk now redirects to Pet Protect, whose documents page lists no Petpals products.) Saga (Not on sale to new customers: saga.co.uk/pet-insurance shows 'Coming soon'.)
What changed in this update
- 21 October 2026: Every row re-checked against the insurer's current policy wording or IPID; limits, dental and therapy terms corrected; added pre-existing rules and waiting periods; added MORE THAN, Purely Pets and RSPCA; removed Saga (not on sale) and the unsourced monthly prices and Defaqto stars; Tesco Bank row now Tesco Pet Insurance (Pinnacle documents).
Getting quotes
A comparison site shows quotes from several insurers at once. Comparison sites do not cover the whole market, so you may also want to check insurers directly. Compare the cover type, limit, excess and exclusions before the price.
Not advice. Pawwala earns a fee if you get a quote through this link. Read the policy wording before you buy.
Special cases
Sources
- Association of British Insurers: insurance payouts for pets top £1 billion for third year in a row (2024 data) · May 2025; checked 21 October 2026
- Defaqto: your pet's birthday could cost you (co-insurance by age across UK pet policies) · June 2024 data; checked 21 October 2026
- FCA Handbook ICOBS 6B.1: the renewal pricing rules apply to home and motor insurance · in force since 1 January 2022; checked 21 October 2026
- Insurance Times: Financial Ombudsman complaint volumes in Q2 2026 (Insurance DataLab analysis of FOS data) · 17 September 2026; checked 21 October 2026
- Agria: Agria Lifelong policy pack (dog), published 03/2025, and Lifetime IPIDs · checked 21 October 2026
- Animal Friends: Animal Friends policy booklets and IPIDs, January 2026 (v6) · checked 21 October 2026
- John Lewis: John Lewis Pet Insurance policy wording P3431v2 (Pinnacle), October 2025 · checked 21 October 2026
- LV=: LV= Pet Insurance Lifetime policy booklet, plans bought from 6 August 2026 · checked 21 October 2026
- MORE THAN: MORE THAN pet insurance policy booklet MTPET-PB-02, policies from 15 June 2026 · checked 21 October 2026
- Petplan: Petplan Covered For Life and Essential policy booklets, effective 17 June 2024 · checked 21 October 2026
- RSPCA Pet Insurance: RSPCA Pet Insurance policy wording P3338v5 (Pinnacle), January 2026 · checked 21 October 2026
- Tesco Pet Insurance: Tesco Pet Insurance Lifetime IPID IP3416A (Pinnacle) · checked 21 October 2026
- Waggel: Waggel policy wording version 21, effective 17 February 2026 (latest public version) · checked 21 October 2026
More to read
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare dog insurance policies in the UK?
Look at these in turn: (1) cover type, because lifetime cover resets each year and time-limited cover does not; (2) vet-fee limit; (3) excess and co-payment, including the age a co-payment starts; (4) exclusions, especially pre-existing conditions and dental illness; (5) waiting periods; (6) price, once the rest is clear. The answers are in each policy's wording and IPID.
Which dog insurance has the highest vet fee limit?
In the documents we read on 21 October 2026, the highest published annual limit was £20,000 (Agria's Lifetime Premium; ManyPets also lists £20,000 on Complete Care, awaiting re-check). A higher limit usually costs more, and several insurers do not publish their limits outside your certificate.
Does dog insurance cover dental treatment in the UK?
Dental accidents are covered by most policies. Dental illness is covered by some insurers on all levels and by others only on higher levels, and every insurer whose documents we read makes it depend on a recent dental check. Routine cleaning is not covered.
Are dog insurance comparison sites the whole market?
No. Comparison sites show quotes from the insurers that work with them, so some insurers are not included. Compare the cover type, limit, excess and exclusions in each quote, not only the price.
What is complementary therapy cover in dog insurance?
It pays for treatments such as hydrotherapy and physiotherapy when your vet recommends them, for example after cruciate surgery. In our table the sub-limits run from £500 to £3,000, and some policies pay up to the vet-fee limit instead.