Argos Pet Insurance Review: How Good Is It?

Argos Pet Insurance Review: How Good Is It?

Argos pet insurance offers great value and features.

Good for

  • Lifetime policies for older pets
  • EU Travel
  • End of life cover

Bad for

Editor's Rating

3.5/5.0

The guidance on this site is based on our own analysis and is meant to help you identify options and narrow down your choices. We do not advise or tell you which product to buy; undertake your own due diligence before entering into any agreement. Read our full disclosure here.

Argos Pet Insurance is underwritten by Pinnacle, which underwrites many other UK pet insurance brands such as Sainsbury's pet insurance. But is Argos pet insurance any good? Find out what we think Argos could do better, how prices compare to the UK market and what customers have to say.

Find out how much Argos pet insurance will cost for your pet in under two minutes. Compare quotes from Argos against 25 providers by clicking the blue "Get Quotes" button below to see how much you can save:

Best pet insurance deals for your pet

Quickly compare 25+ providers. Pay from £2.82 a month.*

{"applyCallToAction":"Get Quotes","defaultSelectedItem":"pet","description":"Quickly compare 25+ providers. Pay from \u00a32.82 a month.*","formType":"Insurance","onCurrent":true,"options":[{"label":"Car Insurance","url":"https:\/\/quote.nimblefins.co.uk\/car-insurance?id=76f4ecd6e1ca7c2f442633593566fdaa","value":"car"},{"label":"Home Insurance","url":"https:\/\/quote.nimblefins.co.uk\/home-insurance?id=76f4ecd6e1ca7c2f442633593566fdaa","value":"home"},{"label":"Motorbike Insurance","url":"https:\/\/quote.nimblefins.co.uk\/bike-insurance?id=76f4ecd6e1ca7c2f442633593566fdaa","value":"motorbike"},{"label":"Pet Insurance","url":"https:\/\/quote.nimblefins.co.uk\/pet-insurance?id=76f4ecd6e1ca7c2f442633593566fdaa","value":"pet"},{"label":"Travel Insurance","url":"https:\/\/quote.nimblefins.co.uk\/travel-insurance?id=76f4ecd6e1ca7c2f442633593566fdaa","value":"travel"}],"title":"Best pet insurance deals for your pet"}

In This Review

Argos Pet Insurance Review

Overall, we'd say that Argos pet insurance, in particular their Lifetime policies, offer a good selection of features at competitive prices relative to UK pet insurance costs, and are certainly worth considering. However, some customers have reported significant price increases after claiming making their premiums less attractive.

Pet owners can choose between seven pet insurance plans for dogs and cats. Their Lifetime plans start off around 30% more expensive than Time Limited cover, but given the difference in coverage we'd say it's worth paying up for Lifetime cover if it fits in your budget. And they've recently added Maximum Benefit policies as well, which pay a maximum amount per condition (regardless of time).

  • Time Limited: up to £2,500 or £4,000 in vet fees
  • Max Benefit: up to £2,000 or £5,000 in vet fees
  • Lifetime: up to £1,000, £3,500 or £7,000 in vet fees (cats) and up to £2,000, £4,500 or £7,000 in vet fees (dogs)

Like most other pet insurance brands in the UK market, pre-existing conditions aren't covered with Argos pet insurance, so if you want cover for a pre-existing condition, however, you may be better off with a company that covers pre-existing conditions.

Are older pets covered? Older pets are eligible for new Argos policies up until 10 years for cats and 8 years for dogs (5 years for some breeds). However, once you buy a policy you can continue renewing beyond these limits. Older pets are also subject to a higher excess (max of the fixed amount and 20% of the claim).

Argos Pet Insurance Key Points

  • Access to Argos Vet Assistance nurses 24/7
  • Argos will pay claims up to 12 months old
  • Excess changes for older pets
  • Travel cover to EU (PETS) up to 90 days
  • Euthanasia and cremation/burial cover
  • Dental injury and illness cover

Argos Pet Insurance Customer Reviews and Ratings

Argos Pet Insurance Customer Reviews and Ratings
Trustpilot customer reviews4.4 out of 5

Over 1,900 customers have rated Argos pet insurance with 4.4 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, a pretty high score. We should point out that Argos changed underwriters from RSA to Pinnacle and since then the reviews have increased dramatically (from 3.5).

Common complaints related to premiums rising—all pet owners should be aware that pet insurance costs more and more as your pet ages—and as with some companies you may also get an increase when you claim. But 71% of customers give Argos pet insurance a full 5 stars. Here are some real customer comments:

"Argos have been great. I've made two claims in quick succession (one for colon cancer and one for RTA) with the same pet for the full amount. I simply filled in a form on the pet portal and Argos dealt directly with the vets and paid promptly."

"Our 15 month old puppy swallowed small pieces of stick, was rushed into vets, operated on and all paid for with this fast acting insurance, so we are very pleased with this service."

"Absolutely outstanding service. Having been with Argos Pet for about the last 11 years, they have been nothing but brilliant. Claims are handled efficiently and paid in a ridiculously fast speed. I couldn't rate them highly enough."

"The premium I pay is about average for the market for the level of cover I receive and the age of my pets. I expect the premium to increase each year as my dogs get older."

"Brilliant service! I had to make a claim for my pet which was just under £1,000. The claim was settled almost instantly, directly with my vets."

"I had no problems with claims, however, if for any reason you have to use the insurance, on the next renewal they will increase (a lot) your premium. I have the most expensive plan and for the renewal, they increased the premium by 30%!"

"I took out a lifetime plan for my cocker spaniel at a cost of £28pm. During his first year he had a hip replacement at a cost of £6,800. In his second year he had the other hip replaced at a cost of nearly £6,000. My premiums went up to £50 pm. Argos paid out for both ops with no hesitation at all, in fact they paid the vet directly, which was very helpful."

Argos Quote Comparison

Our research shows that Argos pet insurance isn't necessarily the cheapest but they do offer quite good value when compared with the average price of dog and cat insurance in the UK. To give you an idea of how prices vary across their different plans, we gathered sample quotes. Quotes will be higher for older dogs or certain breeds and sizes.

chart comparing pet insurance quotes by policy type for Argos vs the market average
How Do Argos's Prices Compare?

Argos Notable Features

Here is a brief overview of the notable features of Argos dog and cat insurance. For a complete rundown of the details and exclusions, please refer to the policy documents.

Argos Pet Insurance Features
Argos Vet AssistancePet owners can call nurses with queries 24/7 (0303 3340795)
Complementary TherapyHydrotherapy, osteopathy, massage and healing, laser treatment, electrical muscle stimulation, acupuncture or chiropractic treatment
Cover for Holiday Cut ShortCover if you have to cancel or curtail your holiday because your pet needs emergency life-saving treatment or goes missing.
Boarding Cover When You're UnwellBoarding fees when you're an inpatient at hospital for at least 48 hours.
TravelVet fee cover when abroad in a PETS Travel Scheme country for up to 90 days.
Euthanasia CoverIncluded.
Cremation or burialUp to £200.
Hereditary/Genetic DisordersCovered so long as you or your vet did not notice any signs before taking out the policy or within the first 14 days of your policy start.

Types of Argos Dog and Cat Insurance Policies

Argos offers three types of pet insurance—Time Limited, Maximum Benefit and Lifetime, with vet cover ranging from £1,000 up to £7,000. For more information on pet insurance cover in general, please see our article on What Does Pet Insurance Cover in the UK.

Argos Time Limited Plans

Argos offers two levels of Time Limited pet insurance that cover up to 12 months from the start of treatment, up to the maximum benefit per condition. They will pay out on any subsequent claims for a condition or any bilateral, recurring or related conditions after the time limit or maximum benefit limit has been reached.

The two levels of cover are a maximum benefit of £2,500 and £4,000. For Time Limited polices, the excess is paid once per condition.

Argos Max Benefit Plans

Argos offers two levels of Max Benefit pet insurance that cover £2,000 or £5,000 per condition. Note that bilateral conditions are counted as one condition. Bilateral refers to when something affects both sides of a pet's body. So you'd get the limit to cover ear infection in both ears, for example (not the limit per ear).

Argos Lifetime plans

Argos's Lifetime plan is available with either £1,000, £3,500 or £7,000 of cover for cats or £2,000, £4,500 or £7,000 for dogs, which provides protection for conditions throughout your pet's life with no imposed time limitations for treatment. When you renew each year, your vet fee limit is topped up each year. Ongoing and recurring conditions are covered.

If you use up the vet cover limit in any policy year, you won't be reimbursed for any more vet fees until your policy is renewed.

For Lifetime policies, the excess is paid once per condition, per period of insurance. For example, if your dog is being treated for ongoing ear infections every year, you'll pay the excess for the first claim in each policy year.

Argos Coverage Amounts

Here are coverage limits for dogs. Cats have slightly lower limits for some items, including vet bills.

Benefits (Dogs)Time LimitedLifetimeMaximum Benefit
Cover for 12 months or up to max amount, whichever occurs firstCovers up to max amount each yearCovers up to a max amount per condition
Veterinary FeesUp to £2.5k per condition for 12 monthsUp to £4k per condition for 12 monthsUp to £2k per yearUp to £4.5k per yearUp to £7k per yearUp to £2k or £5k per condition
Argos Vet AssistanceIncluded
Argos Pet PortalIncluded
Death from Accident or IllnessUp to £250Up to £750Up to £750Up to £750Up to £1.5kUp to £750
Finding your dogUp to £250Up to £750Up to £750Up to £750Up to £1.5kUp to £750
Loss by theft or strayingUp to £250Up to £750Up to £750Up to £750Up to £1.5kUp to £750
Third party liability and legal costsUp to £2mUp to £2mUp to £2mUp to £2mUp to £2mUp to £2m
Cremation & burial costsUp to £200Up to £200Up to £200Up to £200Up to £200Up to £200
Your Hospitalisation / Kennel feesUp to £150Up to £500Up to £500Up to £500Up to £1kUp to £500
Holiday cancellationUp to £250Up to £1.5kUp to £750Up to £750Up to £3kUp to £750
Emergency Expenses AbroadUp to £150Up to £500Up to £500Up to £500Up to £1kUp to £500
Excesses Payable£99 per condition£99 per condition£99 per condition£99 per condition£99 per condition£99 per condition

FAQs

Argos pet insurance is sold, underwritten and administered by Pinnacle Insurance plc, who also underwrite Sainsbury's pet insurance. (Before 19 November 2019, Argos policies were underwritten by RSA.)
Argos says that 97% of claims are paid within 5 working days.
To make a claim, download the Argos pet insurance claim for or call 0345 078 7500. Claims must be submitted with all invoices and documents within 12 months of treatment.
To reach Argos/Pinnacle pet insurance customer service, call 0344 543 1053 Monday – Friday: 8am – 6pm, Saturday: 9am – 1pm, Sunday: Closed. For new sales call 0800 138 5629 Monday – Friday: 8am – 6pm, Saturday: 9am – 1pm, Sunday: Closed.
Promotional code
To cancel Argos pet insurance call 0344 543 1053. You may get a pro-rata proportion of the premium already paid if you haven't made any claims during the year—see page 14 of their Policy Wording for full details.
Yes, Argos pet insurance covers treatment of dental injury or illness to relieve suffering, however illness cover is only provided if your pet gets annual checkups (or a frequency advised by your vet) and any recommended work carried out within 6 months. Cleaning an descaling are not covered, nor are dental crowns, root canals or fillings.
Yes, Argos pet insurance covers euthanasia costs if recommended by your vet. They'll also cover up to £200 for cremation or burial.
No, Argos pet insurance does not cover any routine and preventative treatments, such as vaccinations, cleaning and descaling of teeth, spaying, castration, etc.
Yes, pets on the Lifetime or Time Limited policy will get a minimum discount of £24 (£1 per pet per month). T&Cs apply.
The standard excess for younger pets is £99. When your cat reaches 10 years or your dog reaches 8 years (or 5 years for some breeds) your excess will change from a fixed amount (e.g., £99) to an amount that is the greater of the fixed amount a percentage contribution (e.g. 20%) towards each vet fees claim made.
If your pet needs a vet for emergency treatment out of hours, or an ambulance, you're only covered if your vet confirms that moving your pet or waiting until normal surgery hours would either endanger its life or significantly worsen the condition.
Yes, Argos sells pet insurance for rabbits. The coverage and limits are different than the figures discussed in this article, which generally apply to dogs and cats. For example, Argos sells just one type of rabbit insurance, which is a lifetime policy with up to £1,000 of vet fee cover per year. Read more about rabbit insurance here.

How does Argos Pet Insurance Compare to Competitors?

To better understand the value of Argos Pet Insurance you need to look at it in the context of other available options. We compared this insurer to other similar insurers so you can see which may be more suitable for you.

Argos Pet Insurance vs PetPlan

PetPlan Pet Insurance is the largest insurer of dogs and cats in the UK. Due to this, many vets are accustomed to submitting claims on behalf of pet owners, which can save you a lot of hassle—plus you get a full 12 months to submit claims for reimbursement. PetPlan policies include dental illness and injury but don't cover euthanasia. However, older pets (i.e., dogs aged 5 or 8 depending on breed, cats aged 10) are not eligible for new Lifetime policies and can only sign up for a Time Limited policy. Additionally, owners of older pets must contribute more towards vet bills, through the addition of a 20% copay.

Quick Takeaway: You might find better value with an Argos policy, plus Argos gives euthanasia cover and imposes no change to excess for older pets. However those looking for dental illness might prefer PetPlan.

Argos Insurance vs Agria Pet Insurance

Agria Pet Insurance offers comprehensive Lifetime plans for lower-than-average prices. They're able to charge lower premiums by having the pet owner pay a 10% copay in addition to the fixed excess (of £95 or £160 for dogs, £85 or £160 for cats). We like that Agria is a specialist pet insurer with a long history. Agria plans offer some desirable features, such as dental, euthanasia and cremation/burial, plus congenital conditions are not specifically excluded from cover. The cost for a young, healthy crossbreed dog is around £350 per year for a plan with £6,500 of vet cover and a £95 fixed excess + 10% copay; a British shorthair with an £85 excess + 10% copay would cost around £325 for the same level of cover.

Bottom Line: Similar pricing, but if you want dental cover for tooth decay or gum disease you're better off with an Agria plan.

Other Useful Information

Erin Yurday

Erin Yurday is the Founder and Editor of NimbleFins. Prior to NimbleFins, she worked as an investment professional and as the finance expert in Stanford University's Graduate School of Business case writing team. Read more on LinkedIn.

Comments

The guidance on this site is based on our own analysis and is meant to help you identify options and narrow down your choices. We do not advise or tell you which product to buy; undertake your own due diligence before entering into any agreement. Read our full disclosure here.