Pet Insurance

Lifetime Cover

What is Lifetime Cover?

There are different types of pet insurance available. Some cap the total amount you can claim for each condition, others limit you to a year of treatment for a condition.

Pet Insurance from John Lewis Finance only offers Lifetime Cover. This means, if you're insured with us and your premiums are paid, you could claim for a one-off mishap such as a cut paw or an illness such as diabetes which needs treatment every year, or both.

We offer three levels of cover so you can choose the level of veterinary fees you'll have to use for the treatment your pet needs.

If your policy is renewed every year, we won't put a time limit on how long treatment can last and we'll pay up to your chosen vet fee limit each year that you need it.

Cover levels

  Essential Plus Premier
Vet fees - treatment limit per year up to £3,000 up to £7,500 up to £12,000
Lifetime cover      
vetfone™ helpline - 24 hour advice from veterinary nurses      
Behavioural treatment* up to £250 up to £250 up to £500
Treatment food* up to £250 up to £250 up to £250
Complementary treatment - such as physiotherapy* up to £500 up to £1,000 up to £2,000
Third party liability (dogs only) up to £1m up to £2m up to £3m
Accidental damage - damage to other people's property up to £250 up to £500 up to £750
Lost or stolen pets up to £500 up to £1,000 up to £1,500

* Cover forms part of vet fees

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Top FAQs

What pets can I insure?

We provide cover for dogs and cats from eight weeks old, and there is no upper age limit, though benefits do change for pets over nine years old.*

We don't offer cover for the ‘types’ of dogs that should be registered under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and the Dangerous Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 or any subsequent amendments (whether pedigree, cross-breed or mixed breed):

  • Pit Bull Terrier
  • Japanese Tosa
  • Dogo Argentino
  • Fila Braziliero


Additionally, we don't offer cover for:

  • American bulldog and other breeds which are not on our breed list
  • Wolf or wolf hybrid
  • Fighting dogs
  • Guard or security dogs
  • Dogs used for racing
  • Dogs used in connection with any profession, occupation or business
  • Dogs used for breeding


*You will not be able to claim for vet fees as a result of an accident in the first 48 hours of cover, or for any changes in your pet's health or behaviour in the first 14 days of cover. Death from illness cover is not available for any pets aged 9 years and above.

How do you calculate the cost of my Pet Insurance?

There are a range of factors that could affect your Pet Insurance premium and cover, including:

  • The age of your pet: older pets are more likely to need medical treatment and very young animals may not have a fully developed immune system
  • Your pet's breed
  • Where you live: vet prices may vary across the country
  • Claims on your policy


You can reduce your premium by:

  • Increasing your excess  (excess options are £60, £80, £100, £140, £250 or £500)
  • If you're choosing a new pet, research which breeds are associated with high premiums
  • If you have more than one pet, investigate any multi-pet discounts that may be on offer
  • Keep your pet fit and healthy, including regular check-ups at the vets
  • Choose the right level of cover and don't be tempted to leave out important details

What is my excess?

You can choose to pay excess of £60, £80, £100, £140, £250 or £500. This amount is for each condition, for each period of insurance.

For pets aged 9 years or older, the excess is as above or 20% of the treatment costs, whichever is higher.

For Third Party Liability cover (dogs only), £250 excess applies to loss or damage to property.

Note: Increasing your excess may help to reduce your premium.

Will I pay more as my pet gets older?

As your pet gets older they’re more likely to become ill, so the price of your insurance rises at renewal. New developments in diagnosis and treatments mean vets provide even better care. This comes at a cost, so we have to account for the rise in vet fees.

If you decide to change your insurer, you might find it difficult to find cover for any conditions your pet previously or currently has. Rest assured, you’ll be covered up to your chosen vet fee limit each year for as long as you keep your policy with us. If your pet is aged nine or over, you will be asked to pay extra excess when making a claim.

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Our partner

John Lewis Finance and John Lewis Insurance are trading names of John Lewis plc. The John Lewis Registered office address is: 171 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 5NN. Registered in England and Wales No. 233462.

John Lewis plc is an appointed representative (Financial Conduct Authority number 416011) of Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance plc. John Lewis Pet Insurance is underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance plc (No. 93792). Registered in England and Wales at St. Mark's Court, Chart Way, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 1XL. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (Financial Services Register No. 202323)

Copyright © John Lewis Partnership
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