Why we love labradors

Labradors (or Labrador Retrievers) are a traditional family pet. They typically have a friendly and outgoing personality meaning they often bond well with their owners and other dogs.

 

A common choice for guide dogs and search and rescue animals

Originally found in Newfoundland, Canada as a fisherman’s companion

They’re born with ‘otter tails’ and slightly webbed feet that help them power through the water

What does John Lewis Pet Insurance include?

Pet insurance could give you peace of mind should your labrador become unwell. John Lewis Pet Insurance offers six different vet fee cover levels, ranging from £2,000 - £12,000 per year.

 

Our pet insurance includes:

image

Annual Online Health Checks

From home, or wherever you choose, you can hold an annual consultation with a vet expert at vetfone™. It’s a convenient service that complements your normal vet check-ups. The vet experts can help you spot any potential health issues with your pet.

image

Lifetime cover 

If your pet develops a long-term illness, there’s no limit to how long you can claim for their treatment. As long as you renew and there's no break in cover, you can continue to claim.

Learn about lifetime cover
image

24/7 vetfone™ helpline

Got a question about your pet's health or behaviour? For expert advice call the vetfone™ helpline. It comes as part of your policy and you can use the service as often as you want.

image

Dental treatment

John Lewis comprehensive Pet Insurance provides cover for accidental dental care and illness. This includes tooth decay, gum disease and post-illness teeth removal.¹

If you are an existing customer, check your policy document to see if this benefit is included.
image

Online claims

95% of all Pet Insurance claims through John Lewis are paid within 5 days. Choose whether claims payments go directly to you or, if they agree, to your vet, whichever works best. (Claims data from April 2023 and April 2024. Excess applies.)

image

Treatment foods

If prescribed by your vet, your policy could cover up to £300 per policy year. This would be deducted from your annual vet fee limit.

image

Complementary therapies

These can be carried out by your vet or by a specialist under your vet’s direction. Your policy could cover up to £1,500 per policy year. This would be deducted from your annual vet fee limit.

image

Behavioural treatment

If your vet suggests some behaviour training, your policy could cover up to £300 per policy year. This would be deducted from your annual vet fee limit.

 

Vet fees - treatment limit per year Up to chosen vet fee limit
Lifetime cover2
vetfoneTM helpline - 24 hour advice from veterinary nurses
Behavioural treatment3 up to £300
Treatment food3 up to £300
Complementary treatment - such as physiotherapy3 up to £1,500
Third party liability (dogs only) up to £2m
Boarding kennel and cattery fees up to £1,500
Dental cover1 Up to chosen vet fee limit
Lost or stolen up to £1,500
Multi-pet discount 10%

What's not included with John Lewis Pet Insurance?

  Treatment for any pre-existing medical conditions

  Vet fees following an accident in the first 48 hours of your cover start date

  Changes to your pet's health or behaviour in the first 14 days of your cover start date

Pet Insurance with six levels of vet fee cover

We understand that every owner’s situation is different. But this shouldn’t affect the quality of care for your pet. You can choose a level of vet fee cover that suits your pet's needs when you get a quote. Whatever level you choose, you will still receive the full range of benefits.

There are six levels of vet fee cover options available:

Plus, there are multiple excess options to suit your budget. This can help reduce your premium costs without any loss of cover:

  • Increase your excess on claims you can choose an excess fee (ranging from £60 to £500) to pay each time you claim. By paying more when you claim, it enables us to bring your annual premium down.

  • Contribute to your vet fees - if your pet is under nine years old, there is a voluntary option to pay 10% or 20% of the vet treatment costs. This is in addition to your chosen excess amount and it can reduce the cost of your premium payments.

Average treatment costs for labradors

The price of treatment for unwell labradors can vary, depending on the age of your dog, the severity of their condition and the veterinary practice that you decide to visit.

No two dogs are the same, but to give you an idea of the kind of claims you might have to make, we’ve collated the average cost of claims made for labradors at John Lewis Pet Insurance.

Data between July 2023 - June 2024:

Condition Average cost with
John Lewis Pet Insurance
Lameness £1,400.41
Poisoning £659.35
Vomiting £986.12
Wound £780.12
Arthritis/DJD £1,359.91
Foreign body - gastric £1,962.59
Skin allergy £1,066.55
Gastro-enteritis £1,750.29
Gastric condition £1,258.58
Lump £823.01


95% of all Pet Insurance claims through John Lewis Pet Insurance were paid within five days between April 2023 and April 2024.

Common questions about labradors

Yes, even though labradors tend to have short fur, they do shed often. To help reduce the amount of loose hair you find around your home, you should regularly brush your lab.

Labradors tend to be fully grown around 12 months old, but in some cases, they can keep maturing up to their second birthday.

Labradors are a smart breed, so can respond well to training, however, they are full of energy, so need to be exercised frequently to prevent boredom from interfering with their training.

This article is for promotion or information purposes only. You must not rely on it for advice.

Pet breed guides


Pet Insurance through John Lewis is subject to eligibility. Terms and conditions apply.

The data in this article is provided by RSA.

¹For dental care up to your chosen vet fee limit we will pay;

1. For teeth or gums damaged in an accident,
2. If an underlying illness causes tooth decay or gum disease, or
3. To remove teeth as treatment of an illness which is not gum disease or tooth decay.

If your pet has a dental check every 12 months: once it has had its first check and your vet has done any necessary work, additionally we will pay; 

1. If your pet suffers from tooth decay or gum disease before the next 12 month check.
2. If tooth decay or gum disease is found at the time of the next check.

2As long as you renew your policy with us and there is no break in cover

3Cover forms part of vet fees

John Lewis Money, John Lewis Finance and John Lewis Insurance are trading names of John Lewis plc. Registered office: 1 Drummond Gate, Pimlico, London SW1V 2QQ. Registered in England and Wales (company number: 233462).

John Lewis plc is an appointed representative (firm reference number: 416011) of Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Ltd. 

John Lewis Pet Insurance is underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Ltd (company number: 93792). Registered in England and Wales. Registered office: St. Mark's Court, Chart Way, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 1XL. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (firm reference number: 202323).

vetfone is provided by Vetsdirect Ltd. Vetsdirect Ltd is not authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Copyright © John Lewis plc 2001 - 2024
Back to top