Key policy features
- Tesco Pet Insurance has four levels of cover, from Accident & Injury up to Premier
- It offers a range of discounts
- All Tesco policies include access to the 24/7 Vetfone advice line
How does Tesco compare to Bought By Many
All Bought By Many policies are lifetime, which means the vet fee cover level resets every year you renew so it can cover ongoing illness and conditions throughout the lifetime of your pet.
Tesco only offers one lifetime policy called Tesco Premier, which offers a maximum vet fee limit of £10,000. This is Tesco's most comprehensive policy but the level of vet fee cover is £5,000 lower than Bought By Many's Complete lifetime policy, which provides vet fee cover for up to £15,000.
One main difference between the two companies is that all Bought By Many policies cover conditions that ended at least two years ago. And they offer a policy that can cover more recent pre-existing conditions that ended at least three months ago.
At the time of writing, Tesco offers several discounts, including a multi-pet discount and an online discount of up to 20% for new customers (subject to a minimum premium). Online discounts are a great way for pet owners to save money when buying a new insurance policy but premiums can increase sharply after the first year when the introductory discount no longer applies.
Bought By Many does not offer introductory discounts and does not believe it is fair that loyal, existing customers should pay a higher price to new customers.
But Bought By Many does provide a 15% multi-pet discount for customers with more than one pet on the same policy. (Our multi-pet discount is not currently available on our Value 2k policy)
It is also the only pet insurance provider to offer a MoneyBack policy where customers can get 20% of their pet insurance premium back if they don't need to claim in a policy year.
If you're worried about your pet and need quick advice, Tesco customers can access their free 24-hour vet helpline.
Bought By Many don't offer a vet helpline has partnered with FirstVet, who provide 24/7 video consultations with qualified vets, through the FirstVet app. The service is available for free for all Bought By Many customers.
We've compared the top levels of cover that we and Tesco offer. The table uses our Complete pet insurance policy in comparison with Tesco Premier cover.
| Bought By Many | Tesco | |
|---|---|---|
| Highest level of vet fee cover | £15,000 (Lifetime) | £10,000 (Lifetime) |
| Video vet call as standard | Yes (24/7 video vet calls) | No (24/7 telephone advice line) |
| Claims waiting period is removed if you switch to the provider | Yes | No (14 day waiting period applies) |
| Lifetime cover | All policies | Premier Policy only |
| Excess payable | Once per policy year | Per new claim |
| Multi-pet discount | 15% discount for pets insured on the same policy | Yes |
| Cover for dental accidents and illness | Yes | Yes (illness and injury cover with Premier) |
Tesco pet insurance offers four levels of cover:
1. Premier
This is a lifetime policy which includes £2,000, £4,000, £7,500 or £10,000 for vet fees, in the UK or abroad; dental cover (for accident, illness and injury); up to £1,500 cover for death from accident or illness; up to £200 if your pet needs to be put to sleep (includes burial or cremation); up to £1,000 for advertising and £200 available as a reward if your pet is stolen or goes missing; and up to £1,000 for kennels, cattery or pet minding for your pet if you are hospitalised for emergency medical treatment. Tesco also provide 24 hour access to vetfone, a UK helpline if your pet becomes unwell or you need advice on any pet related questions or concerns.
Learn more about lifetime pet insurance policies here.
2. Extra
This is a per condition policy, which includes £4,000 or £7,500 for vet fees, in the UK or abroad; dental cover (for accident only); up to £1,500 cover for death from accident or illness; up to £200 if your pet needs to be put to sleep (includes burial or cremation); up to £1,000 for advertising and reward if your pet is stolen or goes missing; and up to £1,000 for kennels, cattery or pet minding for your pet if you are hospitalised for emergency medical treatment.
3. Standard
This is a time-limited policy which includes £3,000 for vet fees, in the UK or abroad; dental cover (for accident only); up to £1,500 cover for death from accident or illness; up to £200 if your pet needs to be put to sleep (includes burial or cremation); up to £1,000 for advertising and reward if your pet is stolen or goes missing; and up to £1,000 for kennels, cattery or pet minding for your pet if you are hospitalised for emergency medical treatment.
4. Accident and Injury
This is a time-limited policy which includes £3,000 for vet fees, for accident or injury only. Illness is not included and this policy only covers your pet in the UK. Dental cover is also included, for accident only.
For more information about what Lifetime, Per-Condition and Time-Limited policies are, check out our Pet Insurance FAQs.
All Tesco Pet Insurance customers get access to a 24/7 Vetfone advice line, as well as helplines for pet bereavement counselling and legal advice.
All policies include cover for complementary treatment, physiotherapy, homeopathy, and hydrotherapy. Note that this is subject to the advice of a vet, and that the policy terms and conditions apply.
Excess starts at £60, and customers can choose to increase this to lower premiums.
Is Behaviour Training covered by Tesco Pet Insurance?
No, page 8 of Tesco's policy wording states: "We don't pay for the treatment of, or training for diagnosed behavioural problems".
However, the Vetfone line (which is included with Tesco Pet Insurance) can offer advice on behavioural issues from qualified vet nurses.
All Bought By Many's Pet Insurance policies do cover training for behavioural problems - learn more about our pet insurance.
Tesco and the RSA Vet Referral Network
Like More Than and John Lewis, Tesco Pet Insurance is provided by RSA. As a result, all non-emergency treatment for pets insured with Tesco needs to be carried out by a vet in RSA's "Preferred Referral Network". If a Tesco Pet Insurance customer has their pet treated by a vet outside the network, they are liable for the first £200 of any successful claim (in addition to the policy excess).
We've written a detailed guide to the RSA Referral Network which provides more information.
Are promotional codes available for Tesco Pet Insurance?
Although Tesco's online quote form for pet insurance includes a field where promotional codes can be entered, at the time of writing we were not able to find any working promo codes by searching online. Read this article for a list of the current pet insurance promo codes we're aware of.
However, Tesco Pet Insurance have several discounts available, including a multi-pet discount and an online discount of up to 20% for new customers (subject to a minimum premium).
Bought By Many do not offer introductory discounts for new customers. They do provide a 15% Multi-pet discount for customers (Our multi-pet discount is not currently available on our Value 2k policy) and a MoneyBack policy where customers can get 20% of their pet insurance premium back if they don't claim in a policy year.
How to make a claim on Tesco Pet Insurance
Step 1: Use the primary vet of your choice or if the treatment is a non-urgent referral, chose from Tesco’s preferred referral network or call them on 0330 100 6460 to check whether you can use your preferred option from outside the list.
Step 2: Download the claim form from Tesco's website and fill it in.
Step 3: Return your completed claim form to Tesco by email, or post it to Tesco Pet Insurance, Freepost RSJG-ZJTB-GAGH, PO Box 1363, Peterborough, PE2 2QZ.
If you have questions about a new or existing claim, Tesco's pet insurance contact phone number is 0345 078 3860.
(Note that this contact information for Tesco's claims department is correct at the time of writing).
Tesco doesn't provide any information about the time it typically takes to assess and pay pet insurance claims.
Other insurance available from Tesco
As one of Britain’s most well-known supermarket chains, Tesco needs no introduction. However, not everyone is aware Tesco also offers a range of financial services, including current accounts. Insurance products available from Tesco are: Pet Insurance Home insurance (Buildings and Contents) Travel Insurance
