Petplan

Petplan: pet insurance in the United Kingdom

Petplan is a pet insurance company based in the United Kingdom that operates through its website petplan.co.uk. The company presents itself as the country's favourite pet insurance provider and claims to insure over 1.3 million pets. With over 50 years in business, the insurer offers policies for dogs, cats, and rabbits, and highlights that it pays 97% of claims, with over £9 million paid out weekly for veterinary treatments.

Products and cover

Petplan's catalogue is organised into two main options: the Covered For Life® plan and the Essential plan. The first is designed to provide ongoing help with vet bills, allowing you to claim year after year for the same condition up to your chosen annual limit, provided you renew without interruption. The Essential plan offers short-term help, with cover for up to 12 months of treatment and a maximum of £3,000 per illness or injury.

Both plans include standard cover such as physiotherapy and pet therapies (hydrotherapy, homeopathy, acupuncture, herbal medicine), dental illness and injury, cancer treatments (surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy), diagnostic tests (MRI scans, CT scans, ultrasounds), hereditary and congenital conditions, face-to-face and online consultations, prescription medicine, behavioural conditions, and surgery with specialised care. The company also offers a claims pricing guarantee, meaning it will not charge more for having claimed, and a direct payment service to the vet.

Additional services

Petplan provides its policyholders with a chat service with pet experts available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, offering free advice on health, behaviour, and nutrition via video call. The company also offers discounts on pet care products and services.

Recognition and reviews

The company has been rated "Which? Best Buy" for its Covered For Life® plans and has over 18,260 5-star reviews on Trustpilot. In its communications, Petplan collaborates with Professor Noel Fitzpatrick, known as the Supervet, to help owners compare pet insurance policies.

Frequently asked questions about pet insurance

Petplan's website addresses common questions about taking out pet insurance in the United Kingdom. The company explains that insurance is not a legal requirement, but it helps manage the costs of unexpected vet bills. It also details that the cost of the policy depends on factors such as the pet's age and breed, geographic location, the level of cover chosen, and the excess, and that premiums are calculated individually. The insurer clarifies that vaccinations are not typically covered as they are considered routine preventive care, and that dental treatment is covered if it is due to illness or injury, provided annual dental check-ups are maintained and the recommended treatment is carried out within six months.