Animal Friends vs Direct Line
Which Pet Insurance Is Better?
Animal Friends offers higher vet fee limits
Editorial comparison only. VetCost is not regulated by the FCA. We do not arrange or sell insurance. Some links may be affiliate links. Read our methodology.
Animal Friends
Direct Line
Price & Cover Comparison
| Metric | Animal Friends | Direct Line |
|---|---|---|
| Editor Rating | 3.8/5 | 3.9/5 |
| Dog Price From | £3.00/mo | £8.00/mo |
| Cat Price From | £2.00/mo | £5.00/mo |
| Max Vet Fee Limit | £12,000 | £8,000 |
| Excess From | £69 | £70 |
| Trustpilot Score | 4.5/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Waiting Period | 14 days | 14 days |
Green tick indicates the better value in each category. Prices are indicative and may vary.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Animal Friends | Direct Line |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Cover | ||
| Hereditary Conditions | ||
| Behavioural Therapy | ||
| Pre-existing Conditions | ||
| Travel Abroad | ||
| Multi-pet Discount | ||
| Online Claims | ||
| Direct Vet Payment | ||
| Mobile App |
Pros & Cons
Animal Friends
Pros
- Extremely affordable — dog cover from just £3/month
- Donates millions to animal welfare charities
- Excellent Trustpilot score of 4.5 from 38,000+ reviews
- Full range from accident-only to lifetime cover
Cons
- No dental or behavioural cover on standard plans
- No app — claims process is web-based or phone only
- Defaqto 3-star rated — cover is less comprehensive than top-tier providers
- Maximum enrolment age of 9 is lower than most competitors
Direct Line
Pros
- Well-known, trusted UK insurance brand
- 10% multi-pet discount when insuring more than one pet
- Range of cover levels from basic to lifetime
- Strong online claims management portal
Cons
- No behavioural cover on any plan
- Maximum vet fee limit of £8,000 is lower than specialist providers
- No direct vet payment option
- No dedicated mobile app for pet insurance
Editor's Verdict
Direct Line earns a higher editor rating (3.9 vs 3.8), reflecting stronger overall value. Animal Friends provides higher maximum vet fee cover (up to £12,000), which may suit owners who want comprehensive protection. On price, Animal Friends starts from just £2/month, making it the more budget-friendly option. We recommend getting quotes from both to see which offers better value for your pet's specific needs.
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Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you purchase insurance through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This does not influence our editorial ratings or rankings.