Best Lifetime Pet Insurance: Our Top Picks for 2025

Finding the best pet insurance policy can be overwhelming, especially when you’re considering lifelong coverage for your pet’s health. With so many options available, it’s tough to know which policy will offer the best protection throughout your pet’s life.

Without proper coverage, unexpected vet bills can quickly spiral, leaving you with tough financial choices. A serious injury or chronic illness could cost thousands, and basic policies often fall short when it comes to long-term care.

The best lifetime pet insurance policies offer comprehensive protection, covering both accidents and illnesses throughout your pet's life. In this article, we help you navigate the best lifetime pet insurance options for 2025, comparing coverage levels, costs, and customer satisfaction, so you can choose the best plan for your pet’s needs—and your peace of mind.

Let's explore some of the lifetime plans that top pet insurance providers offer:

Our expert score: 4.5/5

Pros

Cons

Petplan offers 2 primary policies: Covered for Life and Essential. The Covered for Life policy offers continuous coverage for the same conditions each year, providing you renew without any gaps in coverage. You can choose either £4,000, £7,000, or £12,000 vet bill coverage annually, which refreshes each time you renew. A Covered for Life policy also covers boarding fees, physiotherapy, and alternative treatments such as homoeopathy, allowing you to pursue any treatment your vet recommends. Additionally, you can add Death Cover for just £1.40 per month, which provides up to £3,000 if your pet passes away before reaching 10 years old.

While your monthly premium will rise slightly each year as your pet ages, Petplan’s pricing guarantee ensures that claiming won't increase this.

Why buy? Expert verdict

Petplan is widely regarded as the leading pet insurer in the UK, and it’s easy to see why. They pay 98% of Covered for Life policy claims, which is probably why over 90% of customers renew every year. The claims process is straightforward, too; you can opt to have your vet paid directly or submit claims via your online account.

Petplan offers the best lifetime pet insurance for senior animals because it covers certain pre-existing, congenital, and hereditary conditions. The only stipulation is that cat owners must start the insurance before their cat’s 10th birthday and dog owners before their pet’s 8th birthday.Petplan policies include coverage for dental illnesses and injuries, behavioural issues, up to £2,000 annually for pet therapies (e.g., hydrotherapy), missing pet support of up to £3,000, and emergency boarding fees of up to £2,000. Plus, features such as 24/7 Pet Expert Chat, legal and bereavement support hotlines, and exclusive offers for pet care products are a nice touch for pet parents.

With over 15,000 five-star reviews on Trustpilot, Petplan is highly praised for its customer service. Which? awarded the company a 5-star rating for the speed and efficiency of its claims process and a Best Buy award for the Covered for Life policies. Petplan is also endorsed by Pets at Home, showing its strong reputation within the industry.

✍️ Have you used this lifetime pet insurance policy? Share a rating or find out what users have to say on our Petplan reviews page.

Our expert score: 4/5

Pros

Cons

Agria offers 4 lifetime policies: Lifetime Lite, Lifetime, Lifetime Plus, and Lifetime Premium. Cat owners can also choose from 2 indoor-specific plans: Home Cat Lifetime and Home Cat Lifetime Plus.Lite starts at £14.16/month for £3,000 of vet bill coverage, while Premium costs £24.64/month for £20,000 of coverage. For indoor cats, Home Cat Lifetime costs £16.70/month for £6,500 of coverage, and Home Cat Lifetime Plus costs £20.50/month for £12,500 of coverage.

All policies cover dental injuries and behavioural issues as standard, but the Home Cat policies remove other cover elements related to travel (e.g., quarantine fees) or your cat going missing. So, while your cat won’t be covered for injury or death due to anything occurring outside of your home, you can enjoy a lower monthly premium.

You also have the option to pay a higher fixed excess of £170 per year for each condition claimed to lower your premium. Likewise, you’ll need to pay a 10% variable excess on each claim, but this helps to keep your annual premium lower since you pay it only when making a claim.

Why buy? Expert verdict

Agria was named the best pet insurance provider in 2024 by the Telegraph and earned the Which? Best Buy award for cat insurance in the same year—placing it in the top position for providing the best lifetime pet insurance for cats. Its policies designed for indoor cats are also a valuable addition.

Specialising in lifetime pet insurance, Agria has policies that cover a range of conditions, including behavioural problems, dental injuries, and diabetes—provided there were no symptoms before the policy began.

Customers can also benefit from 24/7 expert advice through the Agria app, up to £1,500 to help locate a lost or stolen pet, up to £750 for consultations with a pet behaviourist, and free access to the Pet 24 Reunite Service for the first year of a new policy. However, additional fees apply for certain coverage options, such as death and loss of a pet, boarding fees, and overseas travel.

Agria won’t increase your premium if you claim and will also provide 5 weeks of free coverage if you rescue a cat through partner rescue centres. Known for paying out 98% of claims, Agria is a strong lifetime pet insurance provider, in our opinion.

✍️ Have you used this lifetime pet insurance? Share a rating or find out what users have to say on our Agria pet insurance reviews page.

Our expert score: 4/5

Pros

Cons

Administered by Agria, the Kennel Club pet insurance provides similar lifetime policies for dog owners: Lifetime Lite, Lifetime, Lifetime Plus, and Lifetime Premium.

Lite is the cheapest, costing £41.53 per month to insure a medium-sized, 5-year-old mixed-breed dog. This plan will provide £4,000 in vet bill coverage per year and third-party liability of up to £1 million. If additional coverage is needed, Premium will cover £25,000 in vet bills and third-party liability of up to £3 million—but for the price of £73.94 per month.

However, with third-party liability covered as standard, you can rest assured you’re protected should someone take legal action against your dog. Dental illnesses, diabetes, and skin conditions are also covered, provided there were no symptoms or clinical signs before the start of the policy.

Why buy? Expert verdict

As specialist insurers offering comprehensive coverage for dog owners and breeders, it’s easy to see why the Kennel Club provides the best lifetime insurance for dogs. It has industry accolades to back up its reputation, too. The Kennel Club was named the Best Dog Insurance by the Telegraph and a Which? Best Buy in 2024.

While the insurer provides lifetime coverage plans for dogs, it has also recently introduced policies for cats.

Pet owners can enjoy 24/7 access to vet video calls, behavioural coverage, and up to £1,500 of help towards finding their dog if lost or stolen. Likewise, specialist insurance for dog breeders offers 5 weeks of free cover, cash rewards when litters’ new owners continue cover, and exclusive offers and discounts.

It’s simple to claim through the Kennel Club website or directly with your vet, and there’s no increase to your premium when you claim. Vet bill limits range from £4,000 to £25,000 of coverage, with the latter plan setting customers back quite heavily per month.

However, with 96% of customers recommending Kennel Club and 90% renewing every year, it’s clear the company is a firm favourite among dog owners.

✍️ Have you used this lifetime pet insurance? Share a rating or find out what users have to say on our Kennel Club pet insurance reviews page.

Several types of pet insurance policies exist, and each offers varying levels of coverage. The most common are:

The right pet insurance policy for you will depend on several things, such as your pet’s species, age, breed, and general health, as well as your budget.

If you’re looking for comprehensive coverage—especially for pets with ongoing or chronic health issues—lifetime pet insurance would be the obvious choice. This policy provides vet bill coverage up to your chosen annual limit for the entirety of your pet’s life (providing you renew). It’s ideal for animals that may need long-term medical treatment.

For pets with no pre-existing conditions, accident-only lifetime insurance offers a more affordable option. It covers accidental injuries such as broken bones but excludes coverage for illnesses or routine care.

If your pet is generally healthy but requires treatment for a temporary injury or illness, time-limited insurance offers affordable, short-term coverage for unexpected events. This option protects without the cost of lifelong coverage that might be unnecessary for your pet's needs.

The best lifetime pet insurance policies typically cover veterinary treatment for ongoing or chronic conditions for the entire life of your pet—as long as the policy remains active. Lifetime coverage is often split into annual limits for each condition, with premiums increasing as your pet ages.

Coverage generally extends to accidents and illnesses, including treatments for conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, and allergies. Some policies also include routine care, such as health check-ups, as well as emergency care, surgeries, and specialist treatments.

However, coverage limits can vary by provider, and certain pre-existing and hereditary conditions may not be covered. It’s best to read policy documents in-depth to check for specific coverage and exclusions.

When selecting a lifetime insurance policy, consider these key factors:

Coverage limits

Vet bills are the main reason most pet owners seek insurance, so ensure the annual vet fee limits cover you for what you need. The higher the limit, the more protection your pet will have for treatment. Also, look for policies that cover a wide range of conditions, including chronic and hereditary issues.

Assess pre-existing condition coverage

Not all insurers cover pre-existing conditions, so it’s crucial to find a policy that includes them if your pet has ongoing health issues. If you’re unsure, contact insurers directly to see if they can make an exception.

Compare premiums and excess fees

Weigh up the monthly premiums across different providers. A lower premium might come with higher excess fees, increasing the amount you’ll be out of pocket when making a claim. Ensure the monthly premium aligns with your budget.

Check customer reviews

Customer feedback can give you insight into the quality of the insurer, including claims processing, customer support, and overall satisfaction. Opt for companies with positive reviews and a reliable reputation.

Look at the benefits

Some policies offer additional perks, such as 24/7 vet advice, pet therapies, or loss and theft protection. Extras like these can add value to your policy and provide additional peace of mind.

Our selections were based on a thorough evaluation of each insurer's lifetime coverage plans. To make the comparisons straightforward, we used consistent pet profiles across all quotes, and then considered the key factors below.

Coverage allowance

We compared the coverage for veterinary bills, ensuring flexibility to suit individual needs.

Annual costs

Our goal was to find policies offering comprehensive coverage at a reasonable monthly and annual cost.

Excess fees

We examined excess fees to ensure that a low monthly premium didn't result in a high excess when making a claim.

Reviews and awards

We considered customer feedback and noted any accolades to ensure the providers we recommended were highly regarded for satisfaction and reliability.

Species speciality

To provide a mix of plans to help various pet owners, we focused on including providers that specialise in certain pet species or ages.

The best lifetime pet insurance will depend on the pet you’re insuring, including their species, age, and general health. Some insurers specialise in dog policies, while others may cater better towards older animals. It’s always worth noting down your priorities and comparing what top-rated insurers offer.

Petplan is often rated the best pet insurance provider in the UK. It’s praised for its comprehensive lifetime coverage, high claim payout rate, and excellent customer service. With positive customer satisfaction, flexible plans, and a strong reputation for quick claim processing, it’s a top choice for long-term pet health protection in the UK.

A lifetime pet insurance policy provides continuous coverage for your pet's health throughout its life, covering ongoing conditions and illnesses for every year the policy is renewed. Typically, this includes annual vet fee limits that reset annually, offering long-term financial protection for your pet's care.

Choosing the best lifetime pet insurance involves considering factors such as coverage limits, excess fees, premiums, and additional benefits. While some policies may provide lower monthly premiums, this could come at the cost of a higher excess fee. Likewise, cheaper policies might not provide the comprehensive coverage your pet needs.

Ultimately, the right lifetime pet insurance policy provides long-term peace of mind, protecting your pet’s health and your finances. Don’t wait for an emergency to realise you’re not prepared—take the time now to choose a plan that fits your pet’s needs. With the right coverage, you’ll be able to provide the best care for your furry companion throughout their life.