Animal Friends Insurance is responding and helping to give peace of mind to cat and dog owners by launching a new Lifetime £18,000 policy, which will provide the highest veterinary fee cover currently available from any UK pet insurer today.
Sophisticated vet treatments, such as MRI scans, keyhole surgery and hip replacements can speed up diagnosis and help cats and dogs to live longer and healthier lives. But these treatments often come with a hefty price tag. In 2021, one poorly cat racked up an eye-watering bill of £16,545 to treat acute pancreatitis and a French Bulldog with spinal disease was given treatment totaling £12,866. While most pet owners would do everything they could to give their cat or dog the best possible care, with household budgets being squeezed more than ever by the rising cost of living, the reality is that few pet owners could afford to pay large, unexpected vet bills if their beloved companion suddenly became ill.
Wes Pearson, CEO of Animal Friends Insurance said: “Many of our customers have told us that they want their pets to benefit from the latest advances in veterinary treatment. We know how incredibly stressful it can be for owners when their pet is ill and understand that they want the peace of mind that enhanced levels of cover provide.
“We’ve listened to their feedback and used it to create our new Lifetime £18,000 policy, which provides the highest level of protection currently available in the UK today. From puppy insurance, to kitten insurance, we’re proud to provide cover for a range of pets and we’re sure that the new £18,000 policy will help give pets the best possible care and support when they need it most.”
UK pet insurers paid out £799 million in 2020 – the second highest figure since the Association of British Insurers started collecting the data back in 2007. The average claim size has grown significantly as treatments for sick and injured animals become more sophisticated and complex.
Alongside the £18,000 policy, the pet insurance experts at Animal Friends are also launching Lifetime £10,000, which offers up to £10,000 of vet fee cover per year. In addition to the increased limits, the two new Lifetime policies will also cover:
- Dental illness and accidents for owners that ensure their pet has an annual dental examination
- Cremation
- Complementary therapies, such as physiotherapy, osteopathy and hydrotherapy will be boosted from £500 to £3,000
Customers can choose between a £69, £99 or £159 excess, which are available on all Animal Friends Insurance policies – both for new customers and renewals. All Animal Friends cat and dog policy holders benefit from free vet and nurse care for their insured pet via the Joii Pet Care app. They provide a wide range of support through vet video consultations 24/7 365 days a year.
Visit the Animal Friends website for more information about the new lifetime cat insurance policies and lifetime dog insurance policies.