Animal Friends
Animal Friends is a UK pet insurer that donates a share of profits to animal charities. Their policy structure follows a fairly conventional shape.
All available information checked11 of 11 comparison topics researchedReviewed 9 July 2026
At a glance
- Vet-fee limit
- Publicly marketed vet fee cover runs from £1,000 to £18,000, depending on policy level
- Excess and co-payment
- Excess: Six public vet-fee excess options are available: £69, £99, £159, £199, £249 and £299, although £299 is not available on some lower-cover plans · Co-payment: A 20% co-payment applies from the next renewal when a dog turns 8 or a cat turns 10; some customers may also have co-payment shown in their schedule
- Waiting periods
- Accidents and injuries are not covered within the first 2 days of the policy start date; illnesses are not covered within the first 14 days; cruciate ligament claims are also not covered for the first 14 days
- Pre-existing conditions
- Pre-existing conditions are not covered
Checked against official informationFull detail
Checked against official informationFull detail
Checked against official informationFull detail
Checked against official informationFull detail
Things to check before choosing
What you may pay
ExcessSix public vet-fee excess options are available: £69, £99, £159, £199, £249 and £299, although £299 is not available on some lower-cover plans
Checked against official information
- Details
- Six public vet-fee excess options are available: £69, £99, £159, £199, £249 and £299, although £299 is not available on some lower-cover plans
Not published in official documents reviewed
Official source: Frequently Asked Questions · reviewed 2026-07-09
Compare all insurersCo-paymentA 20% co-payment applies from the next renewal when a dog turns 8 or a cat turns 10; some customers may also have co-payment shown in their schedule
Checked against official information
- Details
- A 20% co-payment applies from the next renewal when a dog turns 8 or a cat turns 10; some customers may also have co-payment shown in their schedule
Not published in official documents reviewed
Official source: Homepage; Frequently Asked Questions · reviewed 2026-07-09
Compare all insurersWhat the policy may limit
Vet Fee LimitsPublicly marketed vet fee cover runs from £1,000 to £18,000, depending on policy level
Checked against official information
- Details
- Publicly marketed vet fee cover runs from £1,000 to £18,000, depending on policy level
Not published in official documents reviewed
Official source: Homepage · reviewed 2026-07-09
Compare all insurersDental CoverMost dog and cat policies cover dental accidents; some also cover dental illness. Public FAQ examples include Accident Only up to £500; Time Limited up to £750 for accident-only on Prime and up to £1,000 for accident and illness on Prime Plus; Max Benefit up to £750 accident-only on Max Plus and up to £1,000 accident and illness on Max Extra; Lifetime Annual up to £750 accident-only on £2,000 and £3,000 plans, up to £1,000 accident and illness on £4,000 and £5,000 plans, and up to £3,000 accident and illness on £10,000 and £18,000 plans; Lifetime Condition includes up to £750 accident-only on Superior and up to £1,000 accident and illness on Superior Plus and Prestige
Checked against official information
- Details
- Most dog and cat policies cover dental accidents; some also cover dental illness. Public FAQ examples include Accident Only up to £500; Time Limited up to £750 for accident-only on Prime and up to £1,000 for accident and illness on Prime Plus; Max Benefit up to £750 accident-only on Max Plus and up to £1,000 accident and illness on Max Extra; Lifetime Annual up to £750 accident-only on £2,000 and £3,000 plans, up to £1,000 accident and illness on £4,000 and £5,000 plans, and up to £3,000 accident and illness on £10,000 and £18,000 plans; Lifetime Condition includes up to £750 accident-only on Superior and up to £1,000 accident and illness on Superior Plus and Prestige
Not published in official documents reviewed
Official source: Frequently Asked Questions · reviewed 2026-07-09
Compare all insurersBehavioural TreatmentBehavioural therapy is included on Prestige and Lifetime £10,000 and £18,000 policies
Checked against official information
- Details
- Behavioural therapy is included on Prestige and Lifetime £10,000 and £18,000 policies
Not published in official documents reviewed
Official source: Homepage · reviewed 2026-07-09
Compare all insurersWhen and how cover applies
Waiting PeriodsAccidents and injuries are not covered within the first 2 days of the policy start date; illnesses are not covered within the first 14 days; cruciate ligament claims are also not covered for the first 14 days
Checked against official information
- Details
- Accidents and injuries are not covered within the first 2 days of the policy start date; illnesses are not covered within the first 14 days; cruciate ligament claims are also not covered for the first 14 days
Not published in official documents reviewed
Official source: Frequently Asked Questions · reviewed 2026-07-09
Compare all insurersPre-existing ConditionsPre-existing conditions are not covered
Checked against official information
- Details
- Pre-existing conditions are not covered
Not published in official documents reviewed
Official source: Frequently Asked Questions · reviewed 2026-07-09
Compare all insurersClaimsClaims can be submitted online by the vet through Pawtal, by the customer via online account for repeat medication, or via paper claim forms; Animal Friends aims to process claims within 2 working days when all required information is received; pre-authorisation via Pawtal is targeted within 1 working hour
Checked against official information
- Details
- Claims can be submitted online by the vet through Pawtal, by the customer via online account for repeat medication, or via paper claim forms; Animal Friends aims to process claims within 2 working days when all required information is received; pre-authorisation via Pawtal is targeted within 1 working hour
Not published in official documents reviewed
Official source: Claims Information for Customers · reviewed 2026-07-09
Compare all insurersRenewalsRenewal pricing can increase based on age, location changes, vet treatment cost inflation and claims; co-payment can also begin at specific ages for older pets
Checked against official information
- Details
- Renewal pricing can increase based on age, location changes, vet treatment cost inflation and claims; co-payment can also begin at specific ages for older pets
Not published in official documents reviewed
Official source: Homepage · reviewed 2026-07-09
Compare all insurersProvider FeaturesAnimal Friends offers online account access, vet-submitted digital claims through Pawtal, direct vet payment capability, 24/7 online vet support for dog and cat customers, flexible excess choices, complementary treatment cover, and a broad menu of policy types and cover levels
Being checked
- Details
- Animal Friends offers online account access, vet-submitted digital claims through Pawtal, direct vet payment capability, 24/7 online vet support for dog and cat customers, flexible excess choices, complementary treatment cover, and a broad menu of policy types and cover levels
Not published in official documents reviewed
Official source: Not published in official documents reviewed · reviewed 2026-07-09
Compare all insurersPolicy change history
- Knowledge Platform updated2026-07-01
Framework updated to v1.4 — Evidence Layer expanded across every Knowledge Product.
- Guide refreshed2026-06-15
Claims and Pre-existing Conditions explainers updated with clearer plain-English wording.
- Policy wording updatedPolicy wordinglow impact2026-06-01
Latest policy documents reviewed against our current framework.
Official information
Underwriter / administrator: Pinnacle Insurance plc for policies starting on/after 27 Feb 2025; older policies Red Sands
Knowledge Platform v1.4 · checked 2026-07-09. Every answer records the official information it came from, and many link straight to the insurer's own page or document. Where an answer names a document but we have not yet linked it, we say so on the answer instead of implying a direct link.