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.
Not yet researched11 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
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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
Being checked
- 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
Being checked
- 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
Being checked
- 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
Being checked
- 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
Being checked
- 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
Being checked
- 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
Being checked
- 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
Being checked
- 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
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- 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.