Animal Friends

Animal Friends, dog, cat and horse insurance in the United Kingdom

Animal Friends is a UK-based insurer that offers pet insurance policies, specifically for dogs, cats and horses. The company states it has insured over a million animals and claims to have more than 38,000 five-star reviews on Trustpilot. Its proposition combines cover for veterinary expenses with a stated commitment to supporting animal welfare.

Policy types and levels of cover

Animal Friends' range is organised into four types of insurance for dogs and cats, and one specifically for horses:

• Accident Only: protects only in the event of an accident, without covering illnesses.
• Time Limited: covers each new condition for 12 months from the onset of the first symptoms or until the cover limit is reached, after which you cannot claim for that condition again.
• Max Benefit: allocates a fixed amount per condition, with no time limit as long as the policy remains active, until the cover limit is exhausted.
• Lifetime: includes cover for chronic, recurring or long-term illnesses, as well as injuries and one-off illnesses, provided the policy is renewed annually.
• Time Limited for horses: a specific type for equines.

Veterinary fee cover ranges from £1,000 to £18,000, depending on the level chosen. The company also offers supplementary services such as free video vet consultations and flea and tick treatments, and includes additional cover such as third party liability, complementary therapies or help towards advertising and reward costs if a pet goes missing.

Dogs and cats: specific cover by life stage and breed

Within the dog line, Animal Friends distinguishes policies for puppies, older animals and breed-specific options. The same applies in the cat category, with products for kittens and older cats. The company also publishes informative content on veterinary fees, care tips and dog walking routes in the UK.

Tools and resources for owners

The company provides its customers with a set of tools and resources including video vet consultations through Joii, an online pharmacy, a pet affordability hub and informative materials on specific issues such as diarrhoea and vomiting, obesity or dog theft prevention. It also maintains a podcast on dog training.

Support for animal welfare causes

Animal Friends channels part of its activity towards supporting animal protection charities. The company explains that it provides funding to organisations and publishes information about the causes it supports, as well as awareness campaigns about endangered species and UK wildlife.

Frequently asked questions about pet insurance

Animal Friends' website includes a frequently asked questions section that addresses what pet insurance is, what it covers, how it works, the different types of policy, the cost, whether it is worth taking out and whether the premium increases after a claim. The company notes that the price depends on factors such as age, breed, sex, claims history, the owner's location and veterinary costs in the area, and that customers can pay annually or monthly.