Direct Line offers insurance for cats, dogs and horses, and is underwritten by UK Insurance. This review specifically looks at its cat and dog policies.
Direct Line doesn't offer lifetime policies . Instead, you can take out a time-limited option called 'Essential' and a per-condition policy called 'Advanced'. We've reviewed both below.
Check Which? insurance ratings and compare deals using the service provided by Confused.com
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These pay out for ongoing issues your pet may have throughout its lifetime. There are two main types:
These policies exclude certain conditions after you hit a claims limit.
Accident only policies pay out a fixed amount for each accidental injury to help pay for your pet’s treatment. It’s the cheapest type of pet insurance cover but excludes illnesses entirely.
We analyse and rate 31 elements of cat insurance policies and 34 elements of dog insurance policies – plus how much each pays in vet fees – to come up with the overall policy score.
Different policy elements are enhanced or reduced within the policy score, to reflect the relative importance of each.
For example, the amount a policy pays for vet fees and how this money is made available counts for more in the score than the amount provided for holiday cancellation.
We’ve awarded Which? Best Buy status to some lifetime policies that have high policy scores, meet minimum criteria for the amounts they’ll pay out in vet fees each year, and that provide dental cover for both accidents and illnesses.
We haven’t been able to evaluate all insurers offering Best Buy policies on their levels of customer service.
You can find out more about how Best Buys are selected in our guide to the best pet insurance .
Members can log in to read our full policy analysis. If you're not already a member, join Which? and get full access to these results and all our reviews.
Members can log in to read our full policy analysis. If you're not already a member, join Which? and get full access to these results and all our reviews.
Members can log in to read our customer scores. If you're not already a member, join Which? and get full access to these results and all our reviews.
Find the right policy for your pet using the service provided by Confused.com
Find the right policy for your pet using the service provided by Confused.com
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1. Inspop.com Ltd for the introduction of non-investment motor, home, travel and pet insurance, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to provide advice and arrange non-investment motor, home, travel and pet insurance products (FRN310635). Inspop.com Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to provide advice and arrange non-investment motor, home, travel and pet insurance products (FRN310635) and is registered in England and Wales to Greyfriars House, Greyfriars Road, Cardiff, South Wales, CF10 3AL, company number 03857130. Confused.com is a trading name of Inspop.com Ltd.
2. LifeSearch Partners Limited (FRN656479), for the introduction of Pure Protection Contracts and Private Health Insurance, who are authorised and regulated by the FCA to provide advice and arrange Pure Protection Contracts and Private Health Insurance Contracts. LifeSearch Partners Ltd is registered in England and Wales to 3000a Parkway, Whiteley, Hampshire, PO15 7FX, company number 03412386.
3. HUB Financial Solutions, for the introduction of equity release advice and an annuity comparison service, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (‘FCA’) to provide advice and guidance on financial products for those who have retired or are approaching retirement (FCA Firm Reference Number: 455713). HUB Financial Solutions is registered in England and Wales to Enterprise House, Bancroft Road, Reigate, Surrey RH12 7RP, company number 05125701.
4. Alan Boswell Insurance Brokers Ltd (FRN 301), for the introduction of non-investment landlord insurances, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority to provide advice and arrange insurance contracts. Alan Boswell insurance brokers Ltd is registered in England at Prospect House, Rouen Rd, Norwich NR1 1RE, company number 02591252.
Other financial services:
Mortgage service provided by London & Country Mortgages (L&C), Unit 26 (2.06), Newark Works, 2 Foundry Lane, Bath BA2 3GZ. London & Country are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (registered number: 143002). The FCA does not regulate most Buy to Let mortgages. Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
We do not make, nor do we seek to make, any recommendations or personalised advice on financial products or services that are regulated by the FCA, as we’re not regulated or authorised by the FCA to advise you in this way. In some cases, however, we have included links to regulated brands or providers with whom we have a commercial relationship and, if you choose to, you can buy a product from our commercial partners.
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