Is LV Pet Insurance Worth It? Full Review 2025

Why trust HelloSafe?

At HelloSafe, our pet insurance expert reviews the terms, conditions, and pricing of policies on the UK market every year to provide you with reliable and unbiased analysis. Thanks to this dedication, hundreds of thousands of users across the UK trust us each month to guide them in making their most important financial decisions.

LV Guarantees

LV= offers a single Lifetime policy for pets, providing comprehensive and renewable cover for both illness and accidents, with an annual vet fee limit reset each policy year.

Key advantages include extensive reimbursement of vet fees (treatments, medication, behavioural therapy, advanced diagnostics, alternative therapies), worldwide cover up to 180 days, and additional services such as legal and bereavement support.

The plan is highly adaptive (revisable excesses, flexible cover, 24/7 video-consultations), includes civil liability for dogs, and reimburses death, theft, and search expenses with realistic annual thresholds.

However, key preventive care (vaccines, parasite treatments, neutering, routine dental scaling) is excluded, and strict pre-existing condition and carence (waiting period) clauses apply.

LV= stands out by its robust scope of incident-based coverage and broad eligibility, yet lacks a dedicated prevention package and applies age limits for death by illness benefits.

Good to know

• Claims for death by illness are no longer possible after dog’s 9th birthday/cat’s 11th.
• No cover for preventive acts (vaccines, routine worming), pregnancy/birth, notifiable diseases, or pre-existing/under-waiting-period conditions.
• Therapy/alternative medicines: capped at 10 sessions per type/per year; strict evidence required.
• Civil liability (RC) only applies for dogs, limited to UK events, and with important exclusions (professional use, certain breeds).
• For most refunds (death, loss), original purchase price or equivalent capped by annual limits on certificate.

Compare plans online to ensure you benefit from the best premium for your pet’s needs.

Exclusions from LV

LV= Lifetime offers a transparent exclusions framework, but certain aspects stand out versus the UK market. Besides the classic exclusions—pre-existing conditions, waiting periods (48h accident, 14d illness), routine/preventive care, and breeding or pregnancy—protheses are only covered for hips, knees, and elbows, excluding other joints which some competitors may cover. Dental cover relies on strict compliance: only conditions with full annual dental checks and proof of recommended care within 6 months are reimbursed, prevention (scaling) and neglect leading to dental disease are always excluded. For lost/stolen pets, proof requirements are very high and fraud, misconduct or missing police/microchip steps lead to non-payment. Notably, any breach of legal requirements (banned dog breed, travel regulations, negligence) or quarantine due to previous illness or misconduct systematically voids cover, a significantly firmer stance than many rivals.

LV rates

Overall, LV= offers a pet insurance product positioned at a balanced point in the UK market. The Lifetime cover provides strong protection, with annual benefit replenishment, broad coverage for illness and accident (including dental and complementary treatments), and valuable digital add-ons like 24/7 video vet advice and psychological support.

Franchise levels are customisable and premiums increase with animal age, but LV= generally stands out for comprehensive guarantees yet keeps costs controlled compared to ‘high-end’ providers, partly thanks to digital-first management and efficient claims processing. Most reviews mention straightforward claims and competitive pricing, though multi-policy discounts are modest and exclusions (especially pre-existing conditions) should be reviewed carefully.

LV= can thus be described as occupying a median to slightly competitive position, appealing to owners seeking solid coverage and reliability, without the price premium of truly exhaustive or elite plans.

To be sure you secure the best deal for your pet’s age and needs, compare multiple offers before deciding on a provider.

LV promo codes

Note: Promo codes may be subject to change. To get the latest promo codes, visit our comparison of the best pet insurance offers.

How much will I be reimbursed with LV?

When you choose LV= pet insurance’s top Lifetime cover for your dog or cat in Great Britain, you benefit from powerful protection against unexpected vet bills. Each year, your reimbursement limit resets, and you claim against accidents, illness, dental procedures, surgery and even specialist therapies, minus only your annual excess (franchise). Here are realistic payment examples to help you see how much peace of mind this policy brings—and exactly what you would pay yourself, versus with no insurance.

Example 1: Skin infection consultation and treatment (dog or cat)

Total vet fees: £230 (consultation, lab work, and antibiotics)

Annual excess to be deducted: £99 (first claim of the year—the amount you pay)

Amount claimable after excess: £230 – £99 = £131

Reimbursement at 80% (top Lifetime policy, £10,000 annual cover):
£131 × 80% = £104.80

You receive £104.80 back from LV=.
Your out-of-pocket payment: £230 (without cover) vs £125.20 (with the insurance)

Note: With LV=, the excess only applies once per year, per pet and condition. For future treatments for the same condition this policy year, only the 20% copay applies until your annual limit is reached. The 80% reimbursement is based on the claims remaining after the annual excess.

Example 2: Cruciate ligament surgery (dog)

Total vet fees: £2,400 (orthopaedic operation + aftercare)

Excess already paid earlier in the year: £0 (already deducted on first claim)

Reimbursement at 80%:
£2,400 × 80% = £1,920

You receive £1,920 from LV=.
Your out-of-pocket payment: £2,400 (no insurance), £480 (with insurance)

This claim comes off your annual cover limit (e.g., £10,000). Any remaining vet expenses for the policy year are reimbursed, minus only the 20% copay, until you reach your annual maximum.

Example 3: Dental extractions due to infection (cat)

Total vet fees: £600 (exam, x-rays, dental cleaning, extractions, and medication)

Excess paid on earlier claim this policy year: £0 (already met)

Amount eligible for reimbursement: £600

Reimbursement at 80%: £600 × 80% = £480

You receive £480 back from LV=.
Your out-of-pocket payment: £600 (without policy), £120 (with LV= insurance)

LV= covers dental treatment for illness or injury, provided your cat’s annual health check and any recommended dental care were carried out as required in your contract. Preventive dental cleaning alone is not covered, but extractions and treatment for infection are.

LV Assistance

LV provides a comprehensive assistance package including 24/7 video vet consultations via FirstVet, vital for reassurance and triage in urgent situations, plus telephone bereavement support from Blue Cross. Direct vet-to-insurer claim settlement is possible but can be subject to vet agreement and is not guaranteed by a dedicated advance-of-fee service, meaning upfront payment by owners is often required. The insurer does not offer a proprietary app, but the customer area and web process are praised for ease of use, claims submission, and communication, with overall high user satisfaction. There is no in-house clinic network; clients can freely choose vets, but this means no negotiated discounts or direct economic advantages with professionals. European cover is strong—up to 180 days per policy year in a wide list of countries—but remote claims must follow strict process and some services (like replacement travel docs) are capped.

Customer feedback on LV

We have reviewed the opinions from the site above. On the positive side, LV pet insurance policyholders often mention:

• The customer service is described as excellent and compassionate: many customers highlight the promptness and helpfulness of staff, especially during claims for pet illness or accidents.
• The claims and policy management processes are considered straightforward and efficient: reimbursements are described as quick, and the digital experience (website and app) is rated easy to use for quotations, purchases, and documents.
• The communication throughout the claims process is seen as clear and proactive, with regular updates provided.
• The value for money is appreciated: several policyholders find the premiums and overall costs to be competitive compared to other providers.
• The company is highly responsive to customer feedback, frequently addressing both positive and negative reviews and offering solutions when issues arise.

On the negative side:

• The number and clarification of exclusions, especially for pre-existing conditions, are regular sources of frustration: some clients feel the criteria are broadened retrospectively and not always transparent from the outset.
• The multi-policy discount is regarded as insufficient by some customers, who are disappointed by its limited impact (e.g., only 5%).
• The timing of review invitations can be inconvenient: a few clients report being asked to provide feedback before experiencing the full service.
• The communication about changes to coverage, terms or exclusions is sometimes perceived as inadequate, especially when it impacts ongoing claims.

How to contact LV?

FAQ

Charlotte Green

Finance content specialist

Charlotte is a finance content specialist with a sharp analytical mind and a strong academic background. She holds a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) from the University of Oxford and a Master’s in Behavioural Economics from the London School of Economics. Her academic training gave her the tools to make sense of complex financial systems—and to explain them in a way that’s both smart and relatable. Before joining HelloSafe, Charlotte worked in editorial roles for financial media and strategy firms, where she focused on personal finance, digital banking, and policy analysis. She is passionate about helping people make informed decisions about their money, especially in an age where the financial landscape is changing fast. At HelloSafe, she covers key topics such as insurance, tax, utilities, credit and budgeting tools. Her mission: provide clear, honest and actionable insights that empower readers to take control of their financial lives with confidence.