17 pet insurance companies in the UK for lifetime cover

The short answer

Many UK pet insurance companies now offer lifetime cover, where your annual vet fee allowance resets each year you renew, but limits, exclusions and extras can vary a lot between providers. If you’re struggling to choose, here’s a quick rundown of 17 UK insurers that may be worth considering, and the types of cover they offer.

What is lifetime cover?

Lifetime cover is a comprehensive form of pet insurance that’s ongoing, with your annual vet fee allowance resetting each year you renew. That means any chronic conditions that weren’t pre-existing (e.g. arthritis, skin allergies, diabetes, epilepsy) can stay covered year after year, for as long as you keep renewing with the same insurer.

Typically, there are four main types of pet insurance you can pick from to suit your budget and your pet’s needs. Many owners choose lifetime pet insurance as it’s comprehensive and provides ongoing protection throughout their pet’s life.

This doesn’t, however, mean pre-existing conditions are covered. If you’re ever in doubt as to whether your pet’s condition is covered, speak to your preferred insurance provider before taking out a new policy or switching cover.

What should you consider when comparing lifetime pet insurance in the UK?

Make sure you assess the vet fee limit, excess and co-payment, exclusions and extras, as these are the details that vary most between UK pet insurance providers. 

Here are four questions worth answering before you take out a policy:

How high is the vet fee limit? 

A vet fee limit is the most you can claim in a year, or per condition. A single serious illness or orthopaedic surgery can run into several thousand pounds. For most pet insurers, some types of treatments or cover will also have sub-limits, it’s worthwhile looking at these before purchasing to understand how much cover you will get included.

What's the excess, and is a co-payment required?

The excess is the fixed amount you contribute towards an eligible claim. Depending on the insurer, this may apply per claim or once per condition, per policy year. Many insurers also add a percentage co-payment (or ‘co-pay’) once your pet reaches a certain age (at Napo, this kicks in once your pet reaches the age of 9). 

You may also be able to add voluntary co-payment to your policy, which can lower your monthly premium, but means you’ll contribute more towards vet fees in the event of a claim.

What's excluded? 

Most UK insurers exclude pre-existing conditions, and most have waiting periods at the start of your policy before you can make a claim (at Napo, that’s 24 hours from your policy start date, and 10 days for illnesses - just in case you were wondering.)

If you’re switching insurers without a gap in cover and can evidence this, it’s worth seeing if your new insurer can waive any applicable waiting periods for seamless pet protection. Contact them before you purchase if this is something you’re interested in.

What extras are included? 

Who doesn’t love bundled extras? From dental cover to physiotherapy for injured pets, these inclusions can vary a lot between providers, but ultimately could offer you more value for money depending on your pet’s needs and level of cover.

Which UK pet insurance companies offer lifetime cover?

Honestly, loads - which is why it can often feel overwhelming when you go to compare lifetime pet insurance. With so many providers, cover tiers and insurance jargon words to wrap your head around, it can be tricky to know where to start. 

To help, we’ve pulled together a selection of UK pet insurance companies who offer lifetime cover, in no particular order. If you don’t mind - we’ll go first!

1. Napo pet insurance

An award-winning UK pet insurance provider offering lifetime cover for dogs and cats.

Pets covered: Dogs, cats

Cover type: Lifetime

Vet fee cover limit: up to £16,000 a year

Highlights: 

• Dental illness cover, behavioural treatment and complementary therapies included as standard

• 95% claim acceptance rate* with most claims closed within 3.5 days**

• Direct payment to vets

• Unlimited free 24/7 vet consultations via the FirstVet app

• Rated Defaqto 5-star and Excellent on Trustpilot, with selected £8,000, £12,000 and £16,000 policies awarded Which? Best Buy for dog and cat insurance. 

Napo offers a flexible, no-nonsense approach to lifetime pet insurance with your choice of annual vet fee cover from £2,000 up to £16,000. Eligible new illnesses and injuries that begin after applicable waiting periods have passed can continue to be covered on renewal, subject to annual limits, policy terms and exclusions, including long-term conditions like skin allergies, diabetes and epilepsy.

Unlike some UK pet insurance companies, every Napo lifetime policy includes dental cover for both accidents and illnesses (as long as you take your pet for annual dental check-ups!). Physio and holistic therapies, behavioural treatment, and emergency travel cover in the EU are all also included as standard. 

Excess starts from just £99 per condition, per policy year - meaning if you need to make multiple eligible claims for the same condition, you’ll only pay excess once a year. And if you need insurance for multiple dogs or cats? You can cover all your furry friends with Napo for a 5% multi-pet discount. 

Worth knowing: A mandatory 20% co-payment applies to your policy once your pet turns 9 years old. You also have the option to add a voluntary co-payment, which can lower your monthly premiums, but means you’d contribute more towards any claims you make.

* percentage based on Napo claims closed between Feb 2026-Aug 2026
** based on Napo claims closed between Feb 2026-Aug 2026

2. Agria

The world's oldest pet insurer, founded in Sweden in 1890.

Pets covered: Dogs, cats, horses 

Cover type: Lifetime

Vet fee cover limit: Up to £20,000 a year (dogs and cats only)

Highlights:  

• Official insurance partner of The Kennel Club

• Reports paying 98% of claims (based on all Agria Pet Insurance and Royal Kennel Club Pet Insurance claims received between January-December 2025)

• 5% multi-pet discount available

With over 130 years in business, Agria offers lifetime pet insurance with vet fee limits of £3,000, £6,500, £12,500, or £20,000 per year. For dogs, third-party liability cover is covered as standard (subject to exclusions and policy terms). Agria is endorsed by Crufts, works closely with vets, breeders and rehoming organisations, and has donated over £1.2M to supporting animal welfare in the UK.

Worth knowing: When getting a quote, your premium price may include a voluntary co-payment (or ‘percentage excess’) of either 10% or 20%, which you would pay after excess in the event of a claim. If you decide to remove this, your price may increase.

3. ManyPets

A tech-first insurer and one of the largest UK providers

Pets covered: Dogs, cats

Cover type: Lifetime, plus specialist cover for pre-existing conditions

Vet fee cover limit: Up to £20,000 a year (lifetime cover only)

Highlights: 

• 24/7 vet video calls included

• Reports paying 97% of claims (based on all registered claims between May-October 2025)

• Can cover pre-existing conditions with specialist insurance

Formerly known as Bought By Many pet insurance, ManyPets offers lifetime cover with yearly vet fee limits of £5,000, £10,000 and £20,000. Excess is charged once per policy year, not per condition. ManyPets offers a specialist policy with an overall annual vet fee limit of £7,000, including up to £1,500 for eligible pre-existing conditions that have been free from symptoms, treatment, medication or veterinary advice for at least three months before the policy starts. 

Worth knowing: A mandatory 20% co-payment is applied to your policy at renewal after your dog or cat turns 7 years old, which you’ll pay after excess on any claims. 

4. Waggel

An insurer offering lifetime cover with a personal touch

Pets covered: Dogs, cats

Cover type: Lifetime

Vet fee cover limits: up to £15,000 a year

Highlights: 

• Claims support from your own qualified, UK-based vet nurse

• Direct payment to vets

• Dental and behavioural treatment included

Waggel is a digital pet insurance provider offering lifetime cover. Vet fee cover limits range from £1,000 up to £15,000. Policies include 24/7 vet video calls via Joii for fast medical help on demand, plus up to £1,000 to cover eligible dental and behavioural treatment.

Worth knowing: Being digital-first, Waggel may be more suitable for pet owners who feel comfortable managing their own policy and claims online.

5. Petplan

An insurer with over 50 years’ experience, founded in 1976

Pets covered: Dogs, cats, rabbits

Cover type: Lifetime, time-limited

Vet fee cover limit: up to £12,000 a year (lifetime cover only)

Highlights: 

• Direct payment to vets

• Reports paying 97% of claims in 2025

• Claims Pricing Guarantee means you won’t pay more for making claims

Petplan is one of the oldest pet insurance companies in the UK, with 2026 marking its 50th anniversary. They offer lifetime cover with yearly vet fee limits of £4,000, £7,000 or £12,000, where you can continue claiming for the same condition if you renew each year without any breaks in cover. If you only need time-limited cover, Petplan will pay up to £3,000 per condition for 12 months’ treatment.

Worth knowing: Under a lifetime policy, a mandatory 20% co-payment applies to your policy once your dog or cat turns 10 years old (or 7 years old for some dog breeds). 

6. Animal Friends

A long-running insurer with a charitable mission at its heart

Pets covered: Dogs, cats, horses

Cover type: Lifetime, accident-only, time-limited, maximum benefit

Vet fee cover limit: up to £18,000 a year for dogs and cats (lifetime cover only) 

Highlights:

• Free vet video calls via the Joii app

• Vet-recommended complementary therapies included 

• Has donated £10M+ to over 800+ animal welfare charities worldwide

Founded in 1998, Animal Friends has been around for over 25 years. They offer the four main types of pet insurance: lifetime, maximum benefit, time-limited and accident-only cover. Standard lifetime vet fee limits range from £1,000 up to £18,000, with annual condition limits of up to £6,000 per policy year.

Worth knowing: Dental illness is excluded from the £1,000, £2,000 and £3,000 lifetime policies. The £1,000 policy also excludes dental accident cover. A mandatory 20% co-payment applies at renewal after your dog turns 8 years old, or your cat turns 10 years old.

7. Tesco Insurance

A supermarket insurer with built-in Clubcard loyalty benefits

Cover type: Lifetime, maximum-benefit, time-limited

Pets covered: Dogs, cats

Vet fee cover limits: up to £11,000 a year (lifetime cover only)

Highlights: 

• Discount for existing Tesco Clubcard members

• 97% of claims paid within 5 working days (based on claims data between July 2025 to June 2026)

• £12 multi-pet discount available per additional pet

Tesco’s own brand of pet insurance is underwritten by Pinnacle Insurance Ltd. Their lifetime policies include accident, illness and injury, with vet fee limits ranging from £3,000 up to £11,000. Should you need to speak to a vet in a hurry, you’ll also get access to their 24/7 ‘vetfone’ helpline at no extra cost.

Worth knowing: Waiting periods apply when you take out cover, meaning you won’t be covered for any accidents that happen within the first 3 days of your cover start date, or any illnesses starting within the first 14 days. A mandatory 20% co-payment (an ‘Overage Excess’) applies to your policy once your cat turns 10 years old, or your dog turns between 5-8 years old (depending on the breed). You’ll need to pay this after excess when making a claim. 

8. Admiral

A household name offering five different levels of lifetime cover 

Pets covered: Dogs, cats

Cover type: Lifetime, time-limited

Vet fee cover limit: up to £10,000 a year (lifetime cover only)

Highlights: 

• 24/7 Pawsquad vet advice line on every cover tier

• Emergency kennel/cattery cover included

• 15% multi-pet discount per pet

Admiral is well-known for car and home insurance, and its lifetime pet cover has five vet fee tiers to choose from. These start from £2,000 a year on the Blue tier to £10,000 on Platinum. Its higher multi-pet discount makes it worth considering if you’re looking to insure multiple pets under the same policy.

Worth knowing: While Admiral doesn’t offer a co-payment option, the excess you pay depends on your pet’s age. For pets under 6 years old, it’s £99. For older pets, you’ll pay £199 excess. Dental illness cover and behavioural treatment are only available on Platinum policies, so compare what’s included with your pet’s needs.

9. More Than

A no-frills insurer offering comprehensive lifetime cover

Pets covered: Dogs, cats

Cover type: Lifetime, time-limited, maximum benefit

Vet fee cover limit: up to £6,000 per accident/illness a year (lifetime cover only)

Highlights: 

• Multi-pet discount available

• 24/7 video vet calls via FirstVet

• Complementary treatments up to £1,500 (depending on your cover level)

More Than is a well-known insurer offering four comprehensive lifetime policies for pets. You can choose from vet fee cover of £1,000, £2,000, £4,000 or £6,000. All policies include accident and illness cover, behavioural treatment, EU travel cover, Third Party Liability for dogs, plus some bundled extras.

Worth knowing: A fixed excess applies, as detailed in your policy schedule. A mandatory co-payment is introduced at renewal after your pet turns 9 years old. 

10. LV (Liverpool Victoria)

A UK brand with pet insurance underwritten by Allianz

Pets covered: Dogs, cats

Cover type: Lifetime

Vet fee cover limit: up to £12,000 a year

Highlights:

• 10% online discount available (first year only)

• Free access to FirstVet video calls

• Includes overseas travel cover for up to 180 days

LV offers a wide range of insurance products, including lifetime pet insurance. Vet fee cover spans from £1,000 up to £12,000 with a straightforward £75 excess, plus the option to add a voluntary 20% co-payment. Dental, behavioural and complementary therapies are included.

Worth knowing: Complementary therapies are limited to 10 sessions per policy year. A mandatory 20% co-payment applies to any claims you make once your dog turns 8 years old or your cat turns 10 years old (unless you’re on a £1,000 vet fee policy or paying a £500 excess). Check with LV if you’re unsure whether this applies. 

11. Sainsbury's Insurance

A supermarket bank option with a Nectar loyalty reward

Pets covered: Dogs, cats, rabbits

Cover type: Lifetime, time-limited, maximum benefit

Vet fee cover limits up to £10,000 a year (lifetime cover only)

Highlights: 

• 7,000 Nectar points (worth at least £35) or a pet hamper (subject to promotional terms and eligibility)

• Multi-pet discount available

• 99% of claims paid within 5 working days (based on Sainsbury’s pet insurance claims data from January 2025 to January 2026)

Just like Tesco, Sainsbury’s pet insurance is underwritten by Pinnacle Insurance Ltd. They’re rated Great on Trustpilot (4-star rating) and offer four choices of vet fee cover under their lifetime policies: £2,500, £5,000, £7,500 or £10,000. Dental illness, behavioural and EU overseas travel cover are included as standard.

Worth knowing: XL Bullies, XL Bully crossbreeds or dogs with XL Bully characteristics (e.g. American Bully) won’t be covered. Once your pet reaches a certain age (unspecified) your excess payable will be either £99 or 20% of the claim amount, whichever is more.

12. Perfect Pet

An all-rounder with no upper age limits for senior pets

Pets covered: Dogs, cats

Cover type: Lifetime, maximum benefit, time-limited, accident-only

Vet fee cover limits: Up to £5,000 per condition, per year, or £10,000 per policy year across all conditions, depending on the policy selected 

Highlights:

• 15% multi-pet discount available

• 97% of claims settled within 5 working days

• Partner perks and offers available

Founded in 2017, Perfect Pet insurance is part of Tedaisy Insurance Group. It offers the four main types of pet cover, with lifetime policies covering vet fees from £1,000 up to £5,000. Excess starts at £90 per condition, per policy year, increasing to £199 or £249 for the higher Premium lifetime policies. 

Worth knowing: Dental illness isn’t covered by Perfect Pet, meaning you’re only covered for dental accidents or injuries. A mandatory 15% co-payment applies to your policy once your dog turns 8 years old, or your cat turns 10 years old, which you’ll pay after excess when making a claim.

13. Everypaw

A digital-first insurer covering dogs, cats and rabbits for life

Pets covered: Dogs, cats, rabbits

Cover type: Lifetime

Vet fee cover limit: up to £10,000 

Highlights:

• Unlimited 24/7 vet calls via PawSquad

• Trained bereavement counsellors on hand for support

• Reports paying 99% of claims in 5 working days (based on Everypaw claims data from January 2025-January 2026)

Everypaw offers six options for lifetime pet insurance, with vet fee limits ranging from £1,000 up to £10,000. Dental treatment, complementary treatment and emergency boarding fees are included. They also allow vets to submit claims on your behalf.

Worth knowing: A 25% percentage excess generally applies from age 8 for dogs (age 5 for certain breeds) and age 10 for cats, subject to the applicable policy terms. You’ll pay this percentage after your set excess when making a claim.

14. Purely Pets

A lifetime cover specialist offering 15 different levels to choose from

Pets covered: Dogs, cats

Cover type: Lifetime

Vet fee cover limit: up to £15,000 a year

Highlights:

• No upper age limits for senior pets

• Direct vet payments

• Reports paying 98% of claims (based on data from eligible claims from January 2024 – December 2024. ‘Eligible claims’ do not include claims made for pre-existing conditions, claims made within waiting periods, or claims when the policy limit has been reached)

Purely Pets offers a broad variety of lifetime cover options. Vet fee cover limits are bundled under their Bronze (£1,000-£5,000), Silver (£6,000-£10,000) and Gold (£11,000-£15,000) tiers and excess starting from £80. They’re rated Great on Trustpilot  with a 4-star rating.

Worth knowing: In your first policy year, dental cover is for accidents only, with dental illness covered from year two onwards. A mandatory 20% co-payment applies once your pet reaches the age of 6, which you’ll need to pay after excess on any claims you make. While insuring senior dogs and cats isn’t a problem, death from illness cover doesn’t apply to dogs aged 9 and over, or cats aged 11 and over.

15. Royal Kennel Club

A dog-only insurer with a high annual vet fee limit

Pets covered: Dogs

Cover type: Lifetime

Vet fee cover limit: up to £25,000 a year

Highlights: 

• High annual vet fee cover limit

• Reports paying 98% of claims (based on all Agria Pet Insurance and Royal Kennel Club Pet Insurance claims received between January-December 2025)

• 5% multi-pet discount (dogs only)

Royal Kennel Club (previously The Kennel Club) has been around for over 150 years and is home to the UK’s pedigree breed standards. They’ve since branched out into pet insurance for dogs and puppies, underwritten by Agria. Vet fee cover limits range from £4,000 up to £25,000, with policies including Third Party Liability cover of up to £3 million. 

Worth knowing: As Royal Kennel Club only insures dogs, you can’t cover any cats under a multi-pet policy. Typically, they apply either a 10% or 20% co-payment (or ‘percentage excess’) on top of your fixed excess for any claims. This means while you’ll only pay the fixed excess once per condition, per policy year, you’ll still need to pay the 10% or 20% percentage excess on every claim you make.

16. John Lewis Money

A well-known retailer brand offering six levels of lifetime cover

Pets covered: Dogs, cats

Cover type: Lifetime

Vet fee cover limit: up to £12,000 a year

Highlights:

• Direct payment to vets

• 24/7 phone access to veterinary nurses for health advice

• 5% multi-pet discount available

John Lewis Money provides a variety of insurance products, with a lifetime cover product for pets. Vet fee limits range from £2,000 to £12,000 a year, with dental treatment, physiotherapy, complementary treatment and EU vet cover included. New policies are available up to a dog’s 8th birthday (5th for select breeds) or a cat’s 10th birthday, though cover can continue beyond those ages once your pet is insured.

Worth knowing: By the insurer’s own acknowledgement, if a claim is paid out on your policy, your premium could more than double at renewal. This is important to consider when taking out lifetime cover, as if you decide to switch insurers, any conditions covered under your previous policy may be considered pre-existing by your new insurer, and may not be covered. 

17. Lassie

An app-based insurer rewarding healthy pet habits

Pets covered: Dogs, cats

Cover type: Lifetime

Vet fee cover limit: up to £20,000 a year

Highlights: 

• Collect in-app points to earn up to £50 off a dog's premium (£25 for cats)

• Excess charged once per condition, per policy year

• 10% multi-pet discount available

Originally founded in Sweden, Lassie launched in the UK in 2026 to offer ‘preventative’ lifetime pet insurance across three tiers: Bronze (£4,000), Silver (£8,000) and Gold (£12,000 or £20,000). Every plan includes cover for general accidents and illnesses, vet-prescribed medication, and emergency EU travel cover. On Gold policies, this travel cover extends to worldwide emergency treatment.

Worth knowing: Dental illness isn’t covered on the Bronze policy tier. From the first renewal after your pet’s 9th birthday (or if you take out a policy for a pet aged 9+), a minimum £99 excess and 25% co-payment apply, unless your pet has been insured with Lassie for three continuous years prior to renewal. 

Now, over to you

When it comes to comparing lifetime cover in the UK, there's no single "best" policy - just the one that you feel fits your pet's breed, age and health, and of course your budget. That decision is completely yours!

From app-first challenger brands with bundled extras, to heritage pet insurance companies with high coverage, to budget-conscious or charity-focused options, there are plenty of options at your fingertips. 

We’ve explored just a handful of them here, but hope this has been helpful for understanding some of the key benefits and differences between pet insurance companies in the UK.

Remember to compare cover type first (lifetime versus the rest), along with limits, excess and exclusions. Always read the policy wording carefully before you buy to check it’s right for you and your pets. Happy shopping!

Pet insurance FAQs

What is lifetime pet insurance?

Lifetime cover means your annual vet fee allowance resets each year you renew, so any ongoing or recurring conditions (like arthritis or allergies) stay covered year after year, as long as you keep renewing with the same insurer without a break, and they weren’t pre-existing conditions that your pet had before you took out insurance.

Do all UK pet insurers offer lifetime cover? 

No. Many providers sell lifetime cover alongside time-limited, maximum benefit, or accident-only policy options. While lifetime pet insurance gives you the most comprehensive cover for your pet, you should double check which type of cover you actually need before taking out a policy.

How much does pet insurance cost in the UK? 

The cost of cover can depend on factors like your pet's breed, their age, and the level of cover you choose - there's no single figure that applies across the board, as each pet has different needs and is assessed individually.

What's usually excluded from a pet insurance policy? 

Pre-existing conditions are excluded by many UK insurers, unless they offer a specific insurance policy for them. Some dog and cat breeds may be excluded from cover, so check the exclusions list of your preferred provider carefully. 

What's the difference between an excess and a co-payment? 

The excess is a fixed amount you contribute per claim, though some UK pet insurance companies will only charge you this once per condition, per policy year. 

A co-payment is a percentage of the claim cost that you contribute after excess, which many insurers add once your pet reaches a certain age, as older pets are more likely to need treatment.

Disclaimer

This comparison includes a selection of 17 UK pet insurance providers and is not a whole-of-market ranking. Information is based on providers' published product details as of 27th October 2026. Cover limits, terms and benefits may change. Claims statistics are reported using different methodologies and should not be directly compared. All information shared is correct at the time of publication (27th October 2026). Offers, terms and promotions are subject to change. Please visit the individual insurance provider websites for full policy terms and conditions.