4Paws Pet Insurance

4Paws Pet Insurance: cover for dogs, cats and rabbits

4Paws Pet Insurance is a trading style of NCI Insurance Services Ltd, an appointed representative of Jigsaw Insurance Services Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (firm reference number 307654). Jigsaw Insurance Services Ltd is registered in England and Wales with company registration number 05052874, and both firms are part of the PIB Group. Policies are underwritten by Covéa Insurance Ltd.

The provider structures its offer around three families of cover for dogs, cats and rabbits, each available at several veterinary fee limits and with the option of a Voluntary Contribution policy.

Levels of cover

• Time limited: a low-cost policy covering veterinary treatment for injury or illness for up to 12 months per condition, with veterinary fee limits of £1,000, £2,000 or £3,000 per condition.
• Maximum benefit: cover without a time limit on claims, allowing claims year after year for an ongoing condition up to the monetary limits, with veterinary fee limits of £1,000, £2,000, £4,000 or £7,000 per condition.
• Lifetime cover: the most comprehensive option, with the limit renewing annually for as long as the policy is renewed, at veterinary fee limits of £1,000, £2,000, £4,000, £7,000 or £12,000 per year.

The company presents its Life Plus, Life Premium and Maximum Benefit £7,000 policies as 5 Star rated. It also states that policies can be paid for monthly at no extra cost and that cover is available from six weeks of age.

Vet video consultations and direct payment of fees

All policies include unlimited free video consultations with a registered vet through the FirstVet app, accessible . Policyholders can also have veterinary fees paid directly to the vet, and the insurer states that it can pre-authorise claims.

Claims handling and customer service

Claims are handled by a dedicated team that aims to approve a claim within 10 working days. The site reported that 92% of all claims are paid and that 92% of customers rate the service as good to exceptional on Feefo, correct as of June 2026. Contact is handled through a UK-based contact centre staffed by pet specialists, and an emergency claims line operates 24/7.

Pricing factors and claim examples

The company explains that premiums are influenced by the pet's age and breed, the area where the owner and pet live, developments in medical treatments, and the number and pattern of claims on the individual policy. It cites examples of treatment costs, including £7,000 for a French Bulldog with a fractured leg, £3,770 for a cat's fractured femur after an accident and £3,800 for a dog's dislocated kneecap. It also references figures from Mintel and the Association of British Insurers, such as an average claim value across all pet policies of £817 in 2020.

Current availability and promotions

The site indicated that new pet insurance policies were temporarily unavailable while systems were being upgraded, and that existing customers needing help should contact the company. It also advertised a free PitPat activity monitor for dogs with all new dog policies.

Underwriter background

Covéa Insurance Ltd is described as a UK insurer with over 60 years of trading experience, around 1,500 employees across 10 offices and more than 2 million policyholders.