Santévet: the most established pet insurance in France

Santévet provides comprehensive pet insurance with a range of customizable formulas (Light, Confort, Confort+, Premium, Optimal), allowing pet owners to tailor coverage levels from 60% to 100% reimbursement for veterinary expenses. A significant advantage is their commitment to lifetime coverage once a pet is insured, ensuring continued protection regardless of age. Their plans are also distinguished by an included dedicated prevention budget (ranging from €25 to €150 annually) for routine care such as vaccinations, deworming, antiparasitics, and even sterilization, which can be utilized from the start of the contract without a deductible or waiting period. This proactive approach to pet health is a major draw for many.

Beyond traditional dog and cat insurance, Santévet uniquely offers plans for New Companion Animals (NACs) like rabbits, ferrets, and birds, demonstrating their broad scope of care. Their dog plans offer 5 options, covering various services from consultations to advanced imaging and even annual dental descaling (after two years). For cats, 6 tailored plans are available, including a specific "Cat Indoor" formula.

Common benefits across all plans include no mandatory medical exams for enrollment, swift reimbursement processing within 48 business hours, and practical services like advance payments and payment facilities via Payvet, 24/7 telephone assistance for veterinary emergencies, and a user-friendly mobile application. The ability to avoid upfront payments for large veterinary bills, as highlighted by a customer testimonial, offers immense relief during stressful emergency situations.

However, it's important to be aware of certain conditions. While reimbursement rates are flexible, an annual fixed deductible typically applies, ranging from €0 to €75 depending on the chosen plan. There are also age limits for initial subscription (e.g., 2 months to 7 or 8 years for dogs/cats, depending on the breed). Standard waiting periods apply for different types of care: typically 48 hours for accidents, 45 days for illnesses, and longer for specific surgeries (often 60 days) or serious conditions like cruciate ligament issues or hip dysplasia (which can be 120 days or more). Pre-existing conditions are generally excluded from coverage. Contracts usually have a 12-month commitment with tacit renewal.

While many customers praise Santévet for rapid reimbursements, responsive customer support, and peace of mind during emergencies, some long-term clients have noted concerns regarding slow reimbursement processing times and occasional unhelpful customer service, suggesting potential inconsistencies in their service delivery.

Overall, Santévet remains a well-established and trusted option in France, particularly appealing to those seeking long-term, comprehensive coverage, a dedicated prevention budget, and insurance for a wider array of beloved pets.

🔹 Start Plan

• Reimburses 50% of vet bills
• €1,100 annual limit
• Covers: illness, accidents, hospitalization
• Includes a small annual preventive care budget (~€20)
• Suitable for cats or low-risk dogs with few vet visits

💡 Tip: Very basic, best for peace of mind, not frequent claims.

🔹 Light Plan

• 70% reimbursement, €1,500/year
• Covers diagnostics, imaging, surgery, and hospitalization
• Includes wellness allowance (~€30–€40/year)
• Ideal for younger pets or first-time owners

💡 Tip: A strong mid-range plan with reliable support.

🔹 Confort, Premium & Optimal

• Reimbursement of 80–100%, depending on the plan
• Annual limits of €1,800–€2,800
• All plans include routine care coverage:
  • Vaccines
  • Flea/tick treatments
  • Dental descaling
  • Bloodwork and annual exams
• Premium and Optimal offer maximum financial protection with little to no out-of-pocket cost

💡 Tip: Santévet's Optimal Plan is one of the only options in France with 100% reimbursement and full preventive coverage.

Santévet uses fixed plans based on:

• Species (dog, cat)
• Breed and age
• Reimbursement level and plan
• Wellness services are included in all plans (no add-ons)

Example Quotes

For a 4-year-old Golden Retriever in Marseille:

• Start: €13.90/month (50%, €1,100 cap)
• Light: €18.50/month (70%, €1,500 cap)
• Confort: €24.90/month (80%, €1,800 cap)
• Premium: €31.60/month (90%, €2,500 cap)
• Optimal: €41.80/month (100%, €2,800 cap)

For a 3-year-old shorthaired cat in Bordeaux:

• Start: €10.10/month
• Confort: €19.20/month
• Optimal: €36.10/month

🔸 Note: Prices can rise slightly each year as your pet ages. For older pets (8+), fewer plan levels may be available.

Who Is Santévet Best For?

✅ Ideal for:

• Pet owners who want routine care included in all plans
• Expats used to traditional customer service (phone + app)
• Pets with moderate to high medical needs
• Owners who want to avoid out-of-pocket costs

❌ Not ideal for:

• People seeking 100% digital or minimal paperwork
• Pets with multiple pre-existing conditions (may face exclusions)
• Those who prefer ultra-simple policies

 3 Things We Also Liked

1. Built-In Wellness Reimbursements

Every Santévet plan includes a “forfait prévention” (preventive care budget). This can be used for:

• Vaccines
• Tick/flea treatments
• Checkups
• Microchipping
• Descaling
• Worming

2. Vet-Friendly Policies

Santévet’s brand is well-known among French veterinarians. In many cases, vets are already familiar with their forms and codes, making reimbursements faster and easier.

3. Multi-Pet Discounts

You get up to 10% off if you insure more than one pet, a rarity in France.

What Expats and Users Are Saying

User Pros:

• “Very professional. They refunded me €800 after my dog’s surgery in less than a week.”
• “Customer service by phone was helpful, and they emailed forms in English.”
• “It’s the only one I found in France that pays for both medical and routine care.”

Common complaints:

• “A bit old-school, I had to scan and email some documents.”
• “Prices go up slowly each year, especially for dogs over 6.”
• “Takes a bit more time to set up compared to app-based services like Lassie or Kozoo.”

Trustpilot Rating (France): 4.4 / 5
Google Play Rating: 4.3 / 5
Apple App Store Rating: 4.2 / 5