TL;DR: Waggel offers a single lifetime policy with adjustable annual limits from £1,000 to £15,000 and adjustable excess. Petplan offers two policy types: Covered For Life with per-condition annual limits up to £12,000, and a 12-month Essential plan capped at £3,000 per condition. Both exclude pre-existing conditions and apply a 14-day initial waiting period.
Last reviewed: July 2026
Company facts
| Fact | Waggel | Petplan |
| Founded | 2018 | 1976 |
| Regulatory status | Appointed Representative of City Insurance Brokers Ltd, FCA regulated | Underwritten by Allianz Insurance plc, FCA regulated |
| Underwriter | Red Sands Insurance Company (Europe) Ltd | Allianz Insurance plc |
| Policy types offered | One lifetime policy, adjustable limits and excess | Covered For Life (lifetime) and Essential (12-month) |
Cover levels and limits
| Feature | Waggel | Petplan |
| Annual limit range | £1,000 to £15,000, adjustable | £4,000, £7,000 or £12,000 (Covered For Life); £3,000 (Essential) |
| Limit structure | Single annual limit resets each year | Per-condition limit on Covered For Life; per-condition 12-month cap on Essential |
| Dental cover | Up to £1,000 for accident or illness | Included, subject to annual dental check and 6-month treatment window |
| Third-party liability (dogs) | Up to £2 million | Included on relevant plans |
Excess and age-related contributions
Waggel refers to its excess as a claim contribution and allows it to be set anywhere from £0 to £500, adjustable within the first 7 days of a new policy and during the 30 days before renewal. Waggel also offers an optional 20% co-payment on new policies or at renewal, applied instead of an age-based increase.
Petplan's excess varies by plan and pet age. On Covered For Life plans, a fixed excess applies per condition per year, and an additional 20% age-related contribution is added once a pet reaches a set age, typically 10 for dogs and a lower age for some breeds, and 8 for cats on some plans. This is applied on top of the fixed excess rather than offered as a choice.
What both exclude
Both insurers exclude pre-existing conditions, defined as any illness or injury that showed symptoms before the policy started. Both apply a 14-day waiting period at the start of a new policy, during which illnesses are treated as pre-existing. Neither covers routine preventive care such as vaccinations, flea and worm treatment, or elective procedures.
Claims process
Waggel handles claims entirely online through a customer portal, and assigns each policyholder a Customer Champion, described as a UK-based qualified vet nurse, to support the claims process. Waggel states most successful claims are confirmed within 24 hours of submission.
Petplan offers direct vet payment at participating practices, meaning the vet claims directly from Petplan and the policyholder pays only the excess portion at the point of treatment, rather than funding the full bill upfront. Not all practices participate in this network. Petplan states it pays 97 percent of the claims it receives.
Regulatory and complaints route
Both insurers are FCA regulated for the sale of pet insurance. Complaints follow the standard route: contact the insurer directly first, and if unresolved, escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service, which provides a free, independent complaint resolution service between consumers and financial services firms.
Disclaimer. This is a factual comparison of publicly stated policy terms and does not constitute a recommendation of either provider. Cover levels, excess structures, and exclusions vary by pet, breed, age, and location, and both insurers price policies individually. Always check the current Insurance Product Information Document and full policy wording directly with the provider before purchasing. Kaeltripton.com is an independent editorial publisher and is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Frequently asked questions
Do Waggel and Petplan both offer lifetime cover?
Waggel offers only lifetime cover as its single policy type. Petplan offers a lifetime option called Covered For Life alongside a separate 12-month Essential plan.
Can I adjust my excess with Waggel or Petplan?
Waggel allows the excess, called a claim contribution, to be adjusted between £0 and £500 within set windows. Petplan's excess is fixed per plan, with an additional age-related contribution applied automatically once a pet reaches a certain age.
Do either Waggel or Petplan cover pre-existing conditions?
No. Both insurers exclude pre-existing conditions, meaning any illness or injury that showed symptoms before the policy started.
Which insurer offers direct vet payment?
Petplan offers direct vet payment at participating practices. Waggel's claims process is handled online through its customer portal with confirmation typically within 24 hours for successful claims.
Related guides
Sources: Waggel policy documents and FAQ (waggel.co.uk), Petplan policy documents and terms and conditions (petplan.co.uk), Financial Conduct Authority (regulated activities register), Financial Ombudsman Service.
