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Head-to-Head Comparison
Updated March 2026

Animal Friends vs Waggel
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

3.8 /5

Animal Friends is a budget-friendly pet insurer founded in 1998 that donates a significant portion of profits to animal charities. With prices starting from just £3/month for dogs and a Trustpilot score of 4.5 from over 38,000 reviews, they offer excellent value with a feel-good factor.

Lifetime Max-benefit Time-limited Accident-only
Price from £2/mo
Max vet fees £12,000
Trustpilot 4.5/5

Waggel

4.2 /5

Waggel is a B-Corp certified pet insurer offering lifetime-only policies with a modern, app-first experience. Popular with younger pet owners, Waggel includes membership perks like free 24/7 online vet consultations and rewards for healthy pet behaviour.

Lifetime
Price from £8/mo
Max vet fees £10,000
Trustpilot 4.5/5

Price & Cover Comparison

Metric Animal Friends Waggel
Editor Rating 3.8/5 4.2/5
Dog Price From £3.00/mo £15.00/mo
Cat Price From £2.00/mo £8.00/mo
Max Vet Fee Limit £12,000 £10,000
Excess From £69 £69
Trustpilot Score 4.5/5 4.5/5
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 Waggel
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

Waggel

Pros

  • B-Corp certified — ethical and purpose-driven company
  • Free 24/7 online vet consultations included with every policy
  • Clean, modern app with quick claims processing
  • Lifetime-only policies — no confusing tier choices

Cons

  • Higher starting price than budget competitors
  • No accident-only or time-limited options for those on a tight budget
  • Maximum vet fee cover of £10,000 is lower than some rivals
  • No travel/abroad cover included

Editor's Verdict

Waggel earns a higher editor rating (4.2 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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