The benchmark every other UK pet insurer is measured against. Covers dental illness as standard, no upper age limit, and behavioural cover included.
Pros
- +£12,000/year vet fee limit
- +No upper age limit for new policies
- +Dental illness included as standard
- +Industry-leading 4.6★ from 24,500+ reviews
Cons
- −Premiums sit above the market average
- −No price-comparison-site presence — you have to go direct
Best for: Owners who want the most comprehensive cover and aren't price-shopping.
The modern challenger that broke the industry's worst habit — they cover some pre-existing conditions, and they have the highest vet fee limit in the UK at £15,000.
Pros
- +£15,000/year vet fee limit (joint highest)
- +Will consider pre-existing conditions on Pre-existing plan
- +Free unlimited video vet
- +App-first claims with payouts in days
Cons
- −Excludes some dental on cheaper tiers
- −Newer brand — less long-term track record than Petplan
Best for: Owners switching insurers with a cat that already has minor pre-existing conditions.
Lifetime cover only — no time-limited or accident tiers to confuse the picture. Particularly strong on pedigree breeds, and the only insurer routinely recommended by breeders.
Pros
- +Lifetime cover only — no risk of buying the wrong product
- +Strong on pedigree and rare breeds
- +Free 5-week cover for kittens
- +£12,500/year vet fee limit
Cons
- −No cheap tier — entry premiums are higher
- −Smaller brand recognition outside breeder circles
Best for: Pedigree owners (Ragdolls, Maine Coons, Persians) where breed-specific risks matter.
The newest serious entrant. App-first, behaviour and dental included on every plan, and 1-2-1 trainer access bundled in.
Pros
- +Behavioural and dental on every plan
- +£12,000/year vet fee limit
- +1-2-1 trainer access included
- +Highest customer rating in our list (4.7★)
Cons
- −Only ~5,600 reviews — small sample size
- −Founded 2021 — short claims history
Best for: Younger owners who want a single app, no paper forms, and behaviour cover included.
The best-value lifetime cover on the market. Premiums are 20–30% cheaper than Petplan with a respectable £7,000 vet fee limit, and a chunk of every premium goes to animal charities.
Pros
- +Cheapest lifetime cover from a major insurer
- +Donates a portion of every premium to animal charities
- +Wide range of cover tiers (5+ options)
- +No upper age limit
Cons
- −£7,000 vet fee limit is mid-range, not premium
- −Phone claims process feels dated
Best for: Budget-conscious owners who still want proper lifetime cover.
15 different lifetime levels — the most granular cover-tier choice of any UK pet insurer. £15,000 vet fee limit on the top plan and a low £60 excess on entry tiers.
Pros
- +15 lifetime cover levels — tune to budget exactly
- +£15,000/year vet fee limit on top plan
- +Low £60 excess available
- +24/7 vet helpline
Cons
- −Cover differences between tiers are subtle — easy to pick the wrong one
- −Claims handling rated average, not top-tier
Best for: Owners who want to dial in the exact balance of cover vs price.
Monthly rolling cover — cancel any time, no annual lock-in, no price hikes mid-term. Refreshing transparency in a market built on auto-renewal traps.
Pros
- +Monthly rolling — cancel any time
- +No mid-term price hikes
- +Member perks (vet discounts, treats)
- +Strong 4.6★ rating
Cons
- −£10,000 vet fee limit is good but not top-tier
- −Premiums can creep up at annual renewal
Best for: Owners who hate auto-renewal and want flexibility.
The mainstream choice — strong financial backing, behavioural cover included, and the major selling point: no co-payment until your cat reaches age 9.
Pros
- +No co-payment until age 9
- +Behavioural treatment covered
- +Trusted established brand
- +Multi-pet discounts
Cons
- −£10,000 vet fee limit is mid-pack
- −Tighter cover on cheaper tiers
Best for: Owners with a young or middle-aged cat who want a trusted high-street brand.
Premier-feel cover from a trusted high-street brand. £12,000 vet fee limit, a low £75 excess and UK-based call centres.
Pros
- +£12,000/year vet fee limit
- +Low £75 excess
- +UK call centres
- +M&S brand reliability
Cons
- −Fewer cover-tier options than Purely Pets or Animal Friends
- −Mid-pack customer rating (4.2★)
Best for: Owners who already bank with M&S and want familiar branding.
Solid mid-market lifetime cover from an ethical brand, with member rewards and a behavioural cover add-on.
Pros
- +Member rewards on top of cover
- +Behavioural cover available
- +Ethical co-operative ownership
- +Mid-range £8,000 vet fee limit
Cons
- −Excess starts at £80 (mid-range)
- −Smaller review base than Petplan or ManyPets
Best for: Existing Co-op members who value ethical brand alignment.
