LV=

Long-established UK mutual insurer with a pet cover range. Evidence is being verified.

Not yet researched11 of 11 comparison topics researchedReviewed 9 July 2026

At a glance

Vet-fee limit: Lifetime vet-fee limits offered are £1,000, £2,000, £3,000, £4,000, £5,000, £6,000, £8,000, £10,000 and £12,000 per policy year. Time Limited covers a condition up to the chosen policy limit for a maximum of 12 months, but the reviewed public page does not enumerate every Time Limited limit option
Excess and co-payment: Excess: LV= has excesses on veterinary fees and third-party liability. Exact excess amounts are certificate-specific. LV= says excess can be changed at renewal and there are higher-excess options that may reduce premium · Co-payment: LV= may add a 20% contribution towards claims when a pet reaches an age threshold that triggers an excess change. LV= says it will notify the customer a year in advance
Waiting periods: Injuries: first 48 hours of the first policy year. Illnesses: first 14 days of the first policy year. LV= also states there are no waiting periods at renewal
Pre-existing conditions: LV= may insure the pet, but usually does not cover the pre-existing condition. Customers must disclose prior injury, illness or symptoms; exclusions may be imposed and some temporary exclusions may be removed later if criteria are met

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What you may pay

ExcessLV= has excesses on veterinary fees and third-party liability. Exact excess amounts are certificate-specific. LV= says excess can be changed at renewal and there are higher-excess options that may reduce premium

Being checked

Details: LV= has excesses on veterinary fees and third-party liability. Exact excess amounts are certificate-specific. LV= says excess can be changed at renewal and there are higher-excess options that may reduce premium

“The excess is the amount you pay when you claim.”

Official source: LV= pet insurance page; Lifetime / Time Limited booklets · reviewed 2026-07-09

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Co-paymentLV= may add a 20% contribution towards claims when a pet reaches an age threshold that triggers an excess change. LV= says it will notify the customer a year in advance

Being checked

Details: LV= may add a 20% contribution towards claims when a pet reaches an age threshold that triggers an excess change. LV= says it will notify the customer a year in advance

“include a 20% contribution towards your claims.”

Official source: LV= pet insurance page · reviewed 2026-07-09

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What the policy may limit

Vet Fee LimitsLifetime vet-fee limits offered are £1,000, £2,000, £3,000, £4,000, £5,000, £6,000, £8,000, £10,000 and £12,000 per policy year. Time Limited covers a condition up to the chosen policy limit for a maximum of 12 months, but the reviewed public page does not enumerate every Time Limited limit option

Being checked

Details: Lifetime vet-fee limits offered are £1,000, £2,000, £3,000, £4,000, £5,000, £6,000, £8,000, £10,000 and £12,000 per policy year. Time Limited covers a condition up to the chosen policy limit for a maximum of 12 months, but the reviewed public page does not enumerate every Time Limited limit option

“The lifetime vet fees cover limits we offer are £1,000... £12,000.”

Official source: LV= pet insurance page; Time Limited policy booklet · reviewed 2026-07-09

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Hidden LimitsKey published hidden limits include: overseas cover up to 180 days in each policy year; dental illness/injury subject to annual dental exam and 6-month treatment-compliance rule; possible excess changes at renewal and as pets age; behavioural cover limited to mental/emotional disorders and excluded where preventable by training/neutering; and Time Limited cover excludes behavioural problems entirely

Being checked

Details: Key published hidden limits include: overseas cover up to 180 days in each policy year; dental illness/injury subject to annual dental exam and 6-month treatment-compliance rule; possible excess changes at renewal and as pets age; behavioural cover limited to mental/emotional disorders and excluded where preventable by training/neutering; and Time Limited cover excludes behavioural problems entirely

“Your pet’s covered overseas for up to 180 days in each policy year.”

Official source: Pet insurance page; Lifetime policy booklet; Time Limited policy booklet · reviewed 2026-07-09

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Dental CoverLifetime plans cover dental illness and injuries if the pet had a dental examination in the 12 months before the first symptoms and any recommended treatment was completed within 6 months. Time Limited plans cover dental or gum problems caused by accidental injury only, with a limited first-milk-teeth exception

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Details: Lifetime plans cover dental illness and injuries if the pet had a dental examination in the 12 months before the first symptoms and any recommended treatment was completed within 6 months. Time Limited plans cover dental or gum problems caused by accidental injury only, with a limited first-milk-teeth exception

“We’ll cover the treatment of a dental injury or illness when...”

Official source: LV= pet insurance page; Lifetime policy booklet; Time Limited policy booklet · reviewed 2026-07-09

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Behavioural TreatmentLifetime cover includes behavioural illness treatment when it is a change to normal behaviour caused by a mental or emotional disorder and delivered by approved clinical/behaviour professionals. Time Limited explicitly excludes any behavioural problem or illness

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Details: Lifetime cover includes behavioural illness treatment when it is a change to normal behaviour caused by a mental or emotional disorder and delivered by approved clinical/behaviour professionals. Time Limited explicitly excludes any behavioural problem or illness

“We’ll cover the cost of treating a behavioural illness...”

Official source: Lifetime policy booklet; Time Limited policy booklet · reviewed 2026-07-09

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When and how cover applies

Waiting PeriodsInjuries: first 48 hours of the first policy year. Illnesses: first 14 days of the first policy year. LV= also states there are no waiting periods at renewal

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Details: Injuries: first 48 hours of the first policy year. Illnesses: first 14 days of the first policy year. LV= also states there are no waiting periods at renewal

“For any injuries, this is the first 48 hours... For any illnesses, this is the first 14 days...”

Official source: LV= pet insurance page; Lifetime policy booklet; Time Limited policy booklet · reviewed 2026-07-09

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Pre-existing ConditionsLV= may insure the pet, but usually does not cover the pre-existing condition. Customers must disclose prior injury, illness or symptoms; exclusions may be imposed and some temporary exclusions may be removed later if criteria are met

Being checked

Details: LV= may insure the pet, but usually does not cover the pre-existing condition. Customers must disclose prior injury, illness or symptoms; exclusions may be imposed and some temporary exclusions may be removed later if criteria are met

“LV= may not cover the pre-existing condition.”

Official source: LV= pet insurance page; Lifetime policy booklet · reviewed 2026-07-09

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ClaimsLV= uses a claim form route, with online/download access via customer-support pages, and asks the vet to complete and sign the declaration. Vets may also be able to submit electronic claims directly, which LV= calls the fastest way to get paid. Claims must be sent no later than 12 months after treatment

Being checked

Details: LV= uses a claim form route, with online/download access via customer-support pages, and asks the vet to complete and sign the declaration. Vets may also be able to submit electronic claims directly, which LV= calls the fastest way to get paid. Claims must be sent no later than 12 months after treatment

“your veterinary practice... can submit an electronic claim directly to us, this is the fastest way for you to get paid.”

Official source: Existing pet customers page; Lifetime policy booklet · reviewed 2026-07-09

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RenewalsLifetime vet-fee limits are reinstated on renewal; there are no waiting periods at renewal. LV= says it will not stop cover just because the pet reaches a certain age, although death-from-illness cover stops after the renewal following the dog’s 9th birthday or cat’s 11th birthday. Policy and excess terms can change at renewal

Being checked

Details: Lifetime vet-fee limits are reinstated on renewal; there are no waiting periods at renewal. LV= says it will not stop cover just because the pet reaches a certain age, although death-from-illness cover stops after the renewal following the dog’s 9th birthday or cat’s 11th birthday. Policy and excess terms can change at renewal

“There are no waiting periods at each renewal...”

Official source: LV= pet insurance page; Lifetime / Time Limited booklets; existing customers page · reviewed 2026-07-09

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Provider FeaturesFirstVet 24/7 free online vet access. Multi-pet cover. Complementary therapies including hydrotherapy, acupuncture, osteopathy, chiropractic therapy and physiotherapy. Claims by form, email, post or vet electronic submission. Free cancellation at any time

Being checked

Details: FirstVet 24/7 free online vet access. Multi-pet cover. Complementary therapies including hydrotherapy, acupuncture, osteopathy, chiropractic therapy and physiotherapy. Claims by form, email, post or vet electronic submission. Free cancellation at any time

Not published in official documents reviewed

Official source: Not published in official documents reviewed · reviewed 2026-07-09

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Policy 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.

Official information

Underwriter / administrator: Allianz Insurance plc

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.

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