Lifetime pet insurance

Provided by Pinnacle Insurance plc

Are you looking for our most comprehensive cover to insure some furry paws? Then our lifetime pet insurance could be the cover you’ve been looking for. For your puppies and dogs, kittens and cats, and rabbits, our lifetime pet cover is there to help cover the costs of everything from minor scrapes to sudden sicknesses and ongoing conditions.

We have you and your pet’s well-being at heart. That’s why when you take out a policy with Argos Pet Insurance, not only can we help with the vet bills, but your policy is packed with a range of features to help look after your pet at every stage of their life.

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Collage image that includes a close-up image of a Border Collie dog and a close up image of a ginger cat along with the quote 'Lifetime cover limits from £1000'

Why choose lifetime pet insurance?

Range of cover levels to choose from across cat and dog insurance, with one set level for rabbit insurance

Vet fees and a full range of benefits included as standard

24/7 access to qualified vet nurses with Argos Vet Assistance

Manage your policy in one place with the Argos Pet Portal

A well-behaved Spaniel puppy sitting down

What is lifetime pet insurance?

Lifetime is our most comprehensive type of pet insurance that covers any condition your pet suffers from in their lifetime up to a set vet fee limit. If your pet has an accident or suffers from a new illness, the cost of treatment, vet bills and surgery will be covered up to the set limit of their lifetime Insurance.

Lifetime for cats, dogs and rabbits can be taken out from 8 weeks of age, though be aware there are upper age limits for new policies. Once covered, any claims you need to make for any new illness or injury will be looked after to the limits of your policy. And with lifetime, you have the peace of mind that those limits reset every year.

What is included with lifetime pet cover?

First and foremost, there’s the vet fee limit – your level of cover. With Argos lifetime pet cover, we have a range of cover levels for cats and dogs, and one set level for rabbits. Included in the levels of cover are veterinary fees plus a range of features and benefits as standard.

Dental cover and behavioural illnesses are included as part of your vet fees, with overseas vet treatment included for cats and dogs too. Throughout your pet’s life, we want to be there for both of you, so if anything happens, we can help with our policy benefits. We have 24/7 access to qualified vet nurses via online chat or phone, and with our cat and dog insurance policies we can help with costs when they pass away.

View our policy documents

Got a question?

In a pet policy muddle or just need some info when it comes to your pet insurance? Our Virtual Assistant and FAQs can give you the answers you need.

Visit our FAQs

Compare lifetime pet insurance cover

So you can get a view of lifetime, and how the features and benefits can work for you and your pet, we’ve put together this table so you can compare lifetime pet insurance as well as our other types of cover. It’s split out by the cover levels and includes how much you could be entitled to with each benefit.

Time limited
Lifetime
Maximum benefit

Cover for 12 months or up to max amount, whichever occurs first..
Policy Documents

Benefits
£2.5k £4k
Veterinary Fees
Up to £2.5k
per condition
for 12 months
Up to £4k
per condition
for 12 months
Argos Vet Assistance
Argos Pet Portal
Death from illness
Up to £250 Up to £750
Death from Accident
Up to £250 Up to £750
Finding your Dog
Up to £250 Up to £750
Loss by theft or straying
Up to £250 Up to £750
Third party liability and legal costs
Up to £2m Up to £2m
Cremation & burial costs
Up to £200 Up to £200
Your Hospitalisation / Kennel fees
Up to £150 Up to £500
Holiday cancellation
Up to £250 Up to £1.5k
Emergency Expenses Abroad
Up to £150 Up to £500
Excesses Payable
£99 per condition £99 per condition
Benefits
£2.5k £4k
Veterinary Fees
Up to £2.5k
per condition
for 12 months
Up to £4k
per condition
for 12 months
Argos Vet Assistance
Argos Pet Portal
Death from illness
Up to £250 Up to £750
Death from Accident
Up to £250 Up to £750
Finding your Cat
Up to £250 Up to £750
Loss by theft or straying
Up to £250 Up to £750
Cremation & burial costs
Up to £200 Up to £200
Your Hospitalisation / Cattery fees
Up to £150 Up to £500
Holiday cancellation
Up to £250 Up to £1.5k
Emergency Expenses Abroad
Up to £150 Up to £500
Excesses Payable
£99 per condition £99 per condition
Covers up to max amount each year…
Policy Documents
Benefits
£1k £2k £3.5k £4.5k £7k
Veterinary Fees
Up to £1k
per year
Up to £2k
per year
Up to £3.5k
per year
Up to £4.5k
per year
Up to £7k
per year
Argos Vet Assistance
Argos Pet Portal
Death from illness
Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £1.5k
Death from Accident
Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £1.5k
Finding your Dog
Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £1.5k
Loss by theft or straying
Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £1.5k
Third party liability and legal costs
Up to £2m Up to £2m Up to £2m Up to £2m Up to £2m
Cremation & burial costs
Up to £200 Up to £200 Up to £200 Up to £200 Up to £200
Your Hospitalisation / Kennel fees
Up to £500 Up to £500 Up to £500 Up to £500 Up to £1k
Holiday cancellation
Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £3k
Emergency Expenses Abroad
Up to £500 Up to £500 Up to £500 Up to £500 Up to £1k
Excesses Payable
£99 per condition
per year
£99 per condition
per year
£99 per condition
per year
£99 per condition
per year
£99 per condition
per year
Covers up to max amount each year…
Policy Documents
Benefits
£1k £2k £3.5k £4.5k £7k
Veterinary Fees
Up to £1k
per year
Up to £2k
per year
Up to £3.5k
per year
Up to £4.5k
per year
Up to £7k
per year
Argos Vet Assistance
Argos Pet Portal
Death from illness
Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £1.5k
Death from Accident
Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £1.5k
Finding your Cat
Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £1.5k
Loss by theft or straying
Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £1.5k
Cremation & burial costs
Up to £200 Up to £200 Up to £200 Up to £200 Up to £200
Your Hospitalisation / Cattery fees
Up to £500 Up to £500 Up to £500 Up to £500 Up to £1k
Holiday cancellation
Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £3k
Emergency Expenses Abroad
Up to £500 Up to £500 Up to £500 Up to £500 Up to £1k
Excesses Payable
£99 per condition
per year
£99 per condition £99 per condition
per year
£99 per condition £99 per consdition
per year
Covers up to max amount each year…
Policy Documents
Benefits
£1k
Veterinary Fees
Up to 1k
per year
Argos Vet Assistance
Argos Pet Portal
Complementary Treatment
Up to £750
Physiotherapy
Up to £750
Finding your Rabbit
Up to £250
Hospitalisation / Boarding fees
Up to £250
Covers up to a max amount per condition…
Policy Documents
Benefits
£2k £5k
Veterinary Fees
Up to £2k
per condition
Up to £5k
per condition
Argos Vet Assistance
Argos Pet Portal
Death from illness
Up to £750 Up to £750
Death from Accident
Up to £750 Up to £750
Finding your Dog
Up to £750 Up to £750
Loss by theft or straying
Up to £750 Up to £750
Third party liability and legal costs
Up to £2m Up to £2m
Cremation & burial costs
Up to £200 Up to £200
Your Hospitalisation / Kennel fees
Up to £500 Up to £500
Holiday cancellation
Up to £750 Up to £750
Emergency Expenses Abroad
Up to £500 Up to £500
Excesses Payable
£99 per condition £99 per condition
Benefits
£2k £5k
Veterinary Fees
Up to £2k
per condition
Up to £5k
per condition
Argos Vet Assistance
Argos Pet Portal
Death from illness
Up to £750 Up to £750
Death from Accident
Up to £750 Up to £750
Finding your Cat
Up to £750 Up to £750
Loss by theft or straying
Up to £750 Up to £750
Cremation & burial costs
Up to £200 Up to £200
Your Hospitalisation / Cattery fees
Up to £500 Up to £500
Holiday cancellation
Up to £750 Up to £750
Emergency Expenses Abroad
Up to £500 Up to £500
Excesses Payable
£99 per condition £99 per condition

Time Limited

Cover for 12 months or up to max amount, whichever occurs first..

Lifetime

Covers up to max amount each year…

Maximum Benefit

Covers up to a max amount per condition…

Benefits Benefits Benefits
£2.5k £4k £1k £2k £3.5k £4.5k £7k £2k £5k
Veterinary Fees Veterinary Fees Veterinary Fees
Up to £2.5k
per condition
for 12 months
Up to £4k
per condition
for 12 months
Up to £1k
per year
Up to £2k
per year
Up to £3.5k
per year
Up to £4.5k
per year
Up to £7k
per year
Up to £2k
per condition
Up to £5k
per condition
Argos Vet Assistance Argos Vet Assistance Argos Vet Assistance
Argos Pet Portal Argos Pet Portal Argos Pet Portal
Death from illness Death from illness Death from illness
Up to £250 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £1.5k Up to £750 Up to £750
Death from Accident Death from Accident Death from Accident
Up to £250 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £1.5k Up to £750 Up to £750
Finding your Dog Finding your Dog Finding your Dog
Up to £250 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £1.5k Up to £750 Up to £750
Loss by theft or straying Loss by theft or straying Loss by theft or straying
Up to £250 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £1.5k Up to £750 Up to £750
Third party liability and legal costs Third party liability and legal costs Third party liability and legal costs
Up to £2m Up to £2m Up to £2m Up to £2m Up to £2m Up to £2m Up to £2m Up to £2m Up to £2m
Cremation & burial costs Cremation & burial costs Cremation & burial costs
Up to £200 Up to £200 Up to £200 Up to £200 Up to £200 Up to £200 Up to £200 Up to £200 Up to £200
Your Hospitalisation / Kennel fees Your Hospitalisation / Kennel fees Your Hospitalisation / Kennel fees
Up to £150 Up to £500 Up to £500 Up to £500 Up to £500 Up to £500 Up to £1k Up to £500 Up to £500
Holiday cancellation Holiday cancellation Holiday cancellation
Up to £250 Up to £1.5k Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £3k Up to £750 Up to £750
Emergency Expenses Abroad Emergency Expenses Abroad Emergency Expenses Abroad
Up to £150 Up to £500 Up to £500 Up to £500 Up to £500 Up to £500 Up to £1k Up to £500 Up to £500
Excesses Payable Excesses Payable Excesses Payable
£99 per condition £99 per condition £99 per condition
per year
£99 per condition
per year
£99 per condition
per year
£99 per condition
per year
£99 per condition
per year
£99 per condition £99 per condition
Benefits Benefits Benefits
£2.5k £4k £1k £2k £3.5k £4.5k £7k £2k £5k
Veterinary Fees Veterinary Fees Veterinary Fees
Up to £2.5k
per condition
for 12 months
Up to £4k
per condition
for 12 months
Up to £1k
per year
Up to £2k
per year
Up to £3.5k
per year
Up to £4.5k
per year
Up to £7k
per year
Up to £2k
per condition
Up to £5k
per condition
Argos Vet Assistance Argos Vet Assistance Argos Vet Assistance
Argos Pet Portal Argos Pet Portal Argos Pet Portal
Death from illness Death from illness Death from illness
Up to £250 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £1.5k Up to £750 Up to £750
Death from Accident Death from Accident Death from Accident
Up to £250 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £1.5k Up to £750 Up to £750
Finding your Cat Finding your Cat Finding your Cat
Up to £250 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £1k Up to £750 Up to £750
Loss by theft or straying Loss by theft or straying Loss by theft or straying
Up to £250 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £1.5k Up to £750 Up to £750
Cremation & burial costs Cremation & burial costs Cremation & burial costs
Up to £200 Up to £200 Up to £200 Up to £200 Up to £200 Up to £200 Up to £200 Up to £200 Up to £200
Your Hospitalisation / Cattery fees Your Hospitalisation / Cattery fees Your Hospitalisation / Cattery fees
Up to £150 Up to £500 Up to £500 Up to £500 Up to £500 Up to £500 Up to £1k Up to £500 Up to £500
Holiday cancellation Holiday cancellation Holiday cancellation
Up to £250 Up to £1.5k Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £750 Up to £3k Up to £750 Up to £750
Emergency Expenses Abroad Emergency Expenses Abroad Emergency Expenses Abroad
Up to £150 Up to £500 Up to £500 Up to £500 Up to £500 Up to £500 Up to £1k Up to £500 Up to £500
Excesses Payable Excesses Payable Excesses Payable
£99 per condition £99 per condition £99 per condition
per year
£99 per condition £99 per condition
per year
£99 per condition £99 per condition
per year
£99 per condition £99 per condition
Benefits Benefits Benefits
£1k
Veterinary Fees Veterinary Fees Veterinary Fees
Up to £1k
per year
Argos Vet Assistance Argos Vet Assistance Argos Vet Assistance
Argos Pet Portal Argos Pet Portal Argos Pet Portal
Complementary Treatment Complementary Treatment Complementary Treatment
Up to £750
Physiotherapy Physiotherapy Physiotherapy
Up to £750
Finding your Rabbit Finding your Rabbit Finding your Rabbit
Up to £250
Hospitalisation / Boarding fees Hospitalisation / Boarding fees Hospitalisation / Boarding fees
Up to £250
Excesses Payable Excesses Payable Excesses Payable
£50 per condition per year

Other Excesses

When your dog reaches 8 years old (for restricted breeds of dog this is 5 years) your excess will change from £99 to the greater of £99 or 20%
contribution toward each vet claim made. Please find further information on restricted breeds here.

When your cat reaches 10 years old your excess will change from £99 to the greater of £99 or 20% contribution toward each vet claim made.

When your rabbit reaches 5 years old, your excess will change from £50 to the greater of £50, or a 15% contribution towards each vet claim made.

Please note that we won’t cover any pre-existing conditions and that terms, conditions, excesses, exclusions and limitations apply. Also, you should note that there is a £100 excess for Third Party Liability (for dogs only). Please note these values are subject to change. You can find out more about the terms of our cover in our policy documents below.

Cat & dog policy

Rabbit policy

Remember, we have an upper age limit for insurance policies. You can insure your pets from 8 weeks old but for cats you cannot take out a new policy after their 10th birthday, for dogs their 8th birthday (5 years for some breeds, please see FAQs) and rabbits their 5th birthday. However, once purchased, cover can continue up to any age if you renew the existing policy, without a break in cover.

Different types of pet insurance to lifetime cover

You may find that our pet insurance lifetime cover doesn’t quite fit with your pet or your needs. Argos also offer 12-month time limited and maximum benefit cover. Before getting yourself in a maximum benefit or lifetime pet insurance or time limited quandary, read up on each type of cover and think about how they would work for you and your pet.
Maximum benefit offers per condition protection up to a set vet fee limit, and while time limited is similar, conditions are only covered for 12 months or until the vet fees have been used, if that’s first. Once you reach the vet fee limits of both cover types, the conditions are excluded, so if your pet suffers again with the same condition, you’ll need to foot the bill. Please note, if you are looking for rabbit insurance we only offer lifetime cover.

 

Frequently asked questions

Should I get lifetime pet insurance?

The decision to get lifetime pet insurance or an alternative type of cover is down to you. While our lifetime cover is the most comprehensive pet insurance, it may not necessarily meet your needs and could prove expensive compared to other cover types.

However, as an inclusive form of cover, it does offer that extra peace of mind that your vet fee limits reset every year and new conditions won’t be excluded. To help you decide, try doing a comparison across the different types and get some pet insurance quotes to give you an idea on affordability.

You should be aware that your premiums will go up every year, and some of the rises can be significant. We’re not making a recommendation, just giving you all the information on all the different covers so you can make the choice.

Please note, if you are looking to get rabbit insurance, we only offer lifetime cover.

What are the ins and outs of lifetime Pet Cover?

Across our different types of pet insurance there are fundamental similarities, here’s where lifetime cover stands:

New accidents and illnesses covered

Vet fee limits renew annually

No time limits on conditions

Ideal for accidents, short illnesses and ongoing conditions

  • Pre-existing conditions are not covered
  • Routine care like vaccinations or procedures like neutering are not covered
  • Cover is typically more expensive than maximum benefit or time limited
  • If you reach the vet fee limit within the year, you’ll need to cover the costs of further treatment

Is lifetime pet insurance the best cover?

What’s best for one person, may not be for another. Think about it. The best pet insurance should be one that looks after the needs of you and your pet now and in the future. That’s not just when it comes to paying out claims but also making sure the cover is there when you need it, and it’s affordable in the years to come.

Across the ‘tiers’ of pet insurance, sitting at the top is lifetime, and from this position, you could consider this to be the best. Now we can’t recommend one product over another, you need to think about all the different covers and what they mean to you and your pet.

If you’re unsure on the best insurance for your pet, take your time, read about each type, and consider your pet’s breed, their age and their medical history etc. Put all that knowledge together, and you should be able to conclude which is the best pet insurance for you and your pet.

Terms and conditions

Multi-pet discount is a minimum of £24 when insuring more than one pet as this is worked out at £1 per pet per month. Pets can have different cover levels. Discount deducted separately from any other offer.

Argos Limited is an Appointed Representative of Home Retail Group Insurance Services Limited (HIS). HIS is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (register number 314050). Registered office: 33 Holborn, London, EC1N 2HT (registered in England and Wales, no 04109436).  HIS act as an introducer to Pinnacle Insurance plc, who sell, administer and underwrite the policy and who are authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (register number 110866). Registered office: Pinnacle House, A1 Barnet Way, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, WD6 2XX (registered in England and Wales, no 01007798) . HIS and Pinnacle Insurance plc are not part of the same corporate group.